What do we need?

[mrlee]

Hi everybody. well as the time grows near to take the first trip on a new (to us) boat the question arises...what do we need to bring with us? The more I think about this, the longer the list gets...
The boat has to be moved 600 miles. lets asume it has nothing onboard. Can anyone give me some sort of a list of things needed?
I have: laptop (OpenCPN and charts), binoculare, cooking things(pans dishes etc.), Boat related items (anchors, extra sheets etc...)
What things will I want for a reasonably comfortable trip...
Yea, I'm new...but FINALLY I'm gonna get my feet wet! (pun)..
Any and all ideas are graciously welcome...
Thanks for all to EVERYONE on here for all the great advice!!!

[SthnJeff]

Originally Posted by mrlee

Hi everybody. well as the time grows near to take the first trip on a new (to us) boat the question arises...what do we need to bring with us? The more I think about this, the longer the list gets...
The boat has to be moved 600 miles. lets asume it has nothing onboard. Can anyone give me some sort of a list of things needed?
I have: laptop (OpenCPN and charts), binoculare, cooking things(pans dishes etc.), Boat related items (anchors, extra sheets etc...)
What things will I want for a reasonably comfortable trip...
Yea, I'm new...but FINALLY I'm gonna get my feet wet! (pun)..
Any and all ideas are graciously welcome...
Thanks for all to EVERYONE on here for all the great advice!!!

Rum. Lots of Rum.

[mrlee]

I like the way you are thinking!!! First things first though!

[SthnJeff]

Originally Posted by mrlee

I like the way you are thinking!!! First things first though!

Yes of course your right.

A glass for said rum. A big Glass !

[Hudson Force]

I would suggest that you have technical manuals or online access to these manuals for your major equipment,- engine, GPS, auto pilot, refrig/freezer, radar, etc.

Also, to help us give you better advice, what's the path of these 600 miles?

[SthnJeff]

Seriously though, as a start to the list, Paper Charts, The Best Wet Weather Gear you can afford, Sailing Gloves. good sleeping Bag, Autopilot, Good Music!

[Lepke]

Do a little planning for problems that could occur. Have some backups. What if electrical power fails and can't be restored? The computer dies? Will you be within cell phone range if the radios don't work? Think about having more safety equipment on board than the Coast Guard requires. File a sailing plan with someone on shore and schedule some contact times.
Know where all the plumbing and wiring goes, where the switches and valves are located, what they do, and test them at the dock. Get some wood plugs for blocking a failed thru-the-hull. I had a 2" valve fail on my trip home when I bought this boat. I had 2' of water below the floor plates when I discovered it. The bilge alarm wasn't installed correctly in that part of the hull and wouldn't have gone off if the boat sank. I should have checked myself before sailing. I had listened to too much of the bs of the surveyor.

[Moody46CC]

Safety gear, e.g., life jackets or PFDs, tethers, jacklines, fire extinguishers, hand-held VHF, flashlights, back-up GPS which could be a cell phone or IPAD but make sure it is charged, that sort of stuff.

[skipmac]

Basic tool kit
- screw drivers
- sockets set
- wrenches
- a really big adjustable crescent wrench and channel lock
- volt meter
- hammer

Basic spare parts kit for engine
- one each of all belts
- fuel filters (several if the boat has been sitting, tank might be dirty, etc)
- water pump">raw water pump impeller

Nav gear
- charts of course
- GPS
- fathometer and/or lead line for backup
- check to make sure the running lights all work
- binoculars (good you thought of that)
- VHF radio. Handheld for backup if you have one
- weather radio. VHF can do that depending on where you are.

Personal
- food. stuff to cook and stuff that's quick, easy or ready to eat.
- water. not just in the tank, bring jugs and bottles for spare in case the tank leaks of the water is contaminated
- foul weather gear
- flashlights, several. And a handheld spotlight if you might ever be sailing after dark

[mrlee]

Excellent!!! I am at least on the same page...We have back-ups for nav, lights, etc. Before leaving I'll have the marina go over a lot of these things with me...You guys are GREAT!!!
As for the trip, Kemah, Tx. down to Altamira, Mexico. It's a straight shot down the coast and I was thinking about staying as close to shore as navigationally possible without losing time...I think this will be a great trip and I have 2 places along the way where I could pull in if there were a problem.
Thanks to you all...Man, I am psyched!!!!!

[DeepFrz]

Food...

Seriously, some heat and eat meals made up ahead of time. Some snacks.

Its a new to you boat, how comfortable are you that the fuel and water tanks are clean. Have the filters been changed. Has the engine oil been changed. Check the oil in the transmission. That is just for starters.

[Ex-Calif]

Nice list - While the list can become endless, I would add

- Shackles of various sizes, turning blocks of various sizes (we broke a lot of hardware the first few weeks) - 2 or 3mm dyneema instead of hardware to lash them on when needed.
- Spare rope, various sizes and lengths
- electrical wire, tape, cutters etc.
- Headlband LED flashlights - these are cool - get the white and red colors
- Navionics on iPhone & 20W roll up solar panel to charge it if all else fails
- Set of wooden bung plugs & underwater putty
- electric cordless drill, bits and screw driver heads (presuming you have a 400w inverter to charge it...)
- 400w cig plug inverter
- Spare fuses of all sizes

If you don't have an autopilot I would seriously consider getting one. Best thing I added to our boat.

Originally Posted by skipmac

Basic tool kit
- screw drivers
- sockets set
- wrenches
- a really big adjustable crescent wrench and channel lock
- volt meter
- hammer

Basic spare parts kit for engine
- one each of all belts
- fuel filters (several if the boat has been sitting, tank might be dirty, etc)
- raw water pump impeller

Nav gear
- charts of course
- GPS
- fathometer and/or lead line for backup
- check to make sure the running lights all work
- binoculars (good you thought of that)
- VHF radio. Handheld for backup if you have one
- weather radio. VHF can do that depending on where you are.

Personal
- food. stuff to cook and stuff that's quick, easy or ready to eat.
- water. not just in the tank, bring jugs and bottles for spare in case the tank leaks of the water is contaminated
- foul weather gear
- flashlights, several. And a handheld spotlight if you might ever be sailing after dark

[scuba0_1]

This is a great link lots of info.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...iztocNeNgIgCYA

Sent from my SM-N910V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Steadman Uhlich]

You want a comfortable trip of 600 miles over the sea?

Others have mentioned safety gear and spares.

I suggest:

1. EPIRB (registered to the boat) (about $400)
2. File a "float plan" with some responsible people (free)
3. Cockpit Cushions (comfort remember)
4. Spare blanket or sleeping bag, because one will likely get wet.
5. Thermos to keep hot water (or coffee) in for the night watch
6. Reliable autopilot
7. Dry socks (You said you are going to get your feet wet. )
8. Lee cloths (really helps one sleep when the boat is heeled and underway)

Have a nice voyage!

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by mrlee

........................
....................I think this will be a great trip and I have 2 places along the way where I could pull in if there were a problem.
Thanks to you all...Man, I am psyched!!!!!

Two places? Maybe you weren't considering Freeport or Port O'connor as they are close to your start, but I like to stage a start closer in order to shorten the trip. I see Port Aransas (Corpus Christi), Port Mansfield, and Port Isabel (Brownsville) too. With these available you are left with about 230 miles on the Mexico coast down to Altamira.

I tend to avoid many more marginal inlets except in the best of weather, but these look pretty good; however, nothing along Mexico's coast until your destination.

With 230 miles as your greatest span you have the clear choice to take advantage of the best forecasted weather. Therefore, something to take with you would be a source for weather information!