First off to listen and prod stan and Elton, this might be your first
boat but it their 1000+ boat, they really know what works and what
you need but you have to prod him at times, He might keep quite at
times, also watch out for statements that it's best done now or you
can add that later, think hard before you override one of those.
With out knowing your budget this is hard:
The state stuff:
Get your numbers before the boat arrives, assume enough time for a
pissing contest with DMV, be happy if it does not happen, have them
ready to install when the boat pulls up. And please put them on
straight :-)
CG: You need 3 CG approved day/night flares, and a life jacket for
each person on board, and a class 4 throwable. Cheap: you can get
a 3 pack and the $5 maywest (type 2) jackets, and one of throw seat
cushion things. Reccommended: buy a prepackaged kit ($50+) with
both handheld, smoke and rockets, have the store make up a kit of
a bag with the maywests (type 1) and the cushion in it. BTW it
pisses off the CG no end it they find them still in the plastic :-)
Also get what is needed for the kids. A bit more: inflatable life
jackets with built in harness, the small life sling, 3 solaris
rockets, 3 solaris handheld, 3 white solaris handheld, and a misc
of CG rockets, handhelds and smoke.
Dockline
You will need two sets, the one that you leave on the dock (their
set for your lengths so you leave them) and a set that you leave on
the boat, 2 sets of 15 foot 1/2 braided and 2 sets of 25 foot 1/2
braided should get you started. Replace what you use up on the first
docking.
Anchor:
A lot o people forget the anchor when they get in trouble. It can
save your ass. Get the GB anchor, it will get you started and people
have been known to upgrade it after a while. Get 200 feet of "New
England" 3 strain, 3/8 size (do not think that 1/2 is better),
10-20 feet of 1/4 inch chain, 5/8 shackles, and wire to put it
together.
VHF:
I would send GB a fixed mounted VHF and antenna, have GB install them,
the raytheon ray 53 and GAM antenna are my picks this week. The
weather alter ass your ass someday.
Compass:
Have GB install a bulkhead Saturn, the Palsmo 130 if you want to
spend a little more.
Pop top enclosures
Think very stonily about having putting it on, you will like it.
Motor:
Try to avoid a used motor, it seems any money you save will be taken
away by the repair shop, get a new motor.
Small Stuff:
Flashlight, first aid kit, batteries, spare pins and rings, tool kit,
ether starting fluid, crab cleaner, clamps and hose splice, fuses,
bulbs, nut bolts and screw assortment, toilet paper, paper towels,
paddle/boat hook, duct tape, etc...
You might want to add charts and a gps
This is not a complete list of what you will buy in the first year,
but will keep you going for a while, The best advise I can give you
is stay out of boat stores.
MJM
22 Aug 2000
Here is a list of boat upgrades and must haves that came from the
KY Lake participants. This focuses more on living additions, to
think about if you already have a boat instead of options to get
when you purchase a boat. We worked on it for a while, then I
forgot all about it. They are in no particular order, But I thought
it is finally time to get the list out in front of others for
comment and additions. This could be an ongoing project. The clear
difficulty is prioritizing these. I don't think it is possible,
because everyone has different needs. Maybe we can give some form
of guidance as to which of these are "killer additions". As always,
these are only opinions. Your needs may be different!
- 1. Turnbuckle rings instead of cotter pins for standing rigging
- 2. Cockpit drain plug (must have if entertaining large group in
the cockpit)
- 3. Cushion to extend V berth over the head
- 4. Bathroom organizers to use in the cabin
- 5. Cushion for lifting portion of settee by the bulkhead
- 6. Rail cushions to velcro over stern rail for hiking (standard
w/ captain's seats)
- 7. Storage shelves to organize galley under counter
- 8. Drawer to fit under the companionway between the galley and
centerboard case.
- 9. Bimini (mixed blessing: boarding is very difficult, and
doesn't protect from rain very well)
- 10. Poptop enclosure: absolute necessity for camping in rain.
Get heavy canvas with reinforced seams and corners (NOT Sunbrella)
- 11. Velcro on cushion backs in cabin to keep from sliding (need
pile carpet on hull)
- 12. Shore power to keep battery charged, etc.
- 13. Caps to cover the in-floor table bracket
- 14. Stereo
- 15. Bumper clips for fast attachment/repositioning of bumpers
- 16. Sphere bumpers: ideal for rafting, but hard to store
- 17. Inflatable lifejackets: might actually wear these
- 18. Anchor Cleat in cabin above rode drawer. Protection for the
bitter end.
- 19. Butane stove: Kenyan style stoves are much nicer for the
application than the old style Gaz stoves.
- 20. New style icebox with ice bin. Eliminates spillage worry.
Needs insulation in lid, though.
- 21. Talkabout radios. These were really nice to have.
- 22. Fastpins for traveler: eliminate the old style allen screws.
- 23. Opening port over galley: opening IN so it doesn't catch
sheets.
- 24. Bungies: can't have too many.
- 25. Mast raising system (w/ the Bell procedure)
- 26. Foot pump on water system.
- 27. Mats for under cockpit seats
- 28. Magma grill
- 29. Autopilot (this was really neat, but not a must have)
- 30. Dinghy
- 31. Horseshoe throwable PFD
- 32. Bell trailer tongue extension stop
- 33. Trailer checklist
- 34. Second (third?) shelf in the head, starboard side
- 35. Fishnet hammock storage in the v berth
- 36. Carpet matt with foam backing for wood step down to cabin
- 37. Suction cup organizers for outside bulk head storage of
hand held instruments (were they canvas Pamela?)
- 38. Tiller cover
- 39. Amp meter for batteries
- 40. Galvanized trailer
- 41. Motor controls on tiller
- 42. Linkage to connect motor to tiller
- 43. Fuel tank tie-downs & security cable
- 44. Flag (nice touch on New Song)
- 45. Articulated trailer hitch ?? (like Alex's)
- 46. Safety brake cable
- 47. Jack heavy enough for boat and trailer with lug wrench
Galley
- 48. Large non-stick skillet
- 49. Measuring cup & spoons
- 50. Spatula & ladle
- 51. Paper towel holder
- 52. Extra plates, cups & bowls
- 53. Small salad spinner (also use as colander)
- 54. More clips for closing bags, plus saran wrap
- 55. More koozies to keep drinks cold
Other ideas discussed:
- A) Bungie storage? Possibilities include underside of laz lid or
under a seat
- B) Mosquito net version of poptop enclosure for better
ventilation
- C) Tent enclosure for bimini (see Pamela)
- D) Real water tank (not a Rubbermaid storage bin)
- E) Through bolt to support rudder in up position for safe
trailering
- F) Whisker pole
- G) Anchor light halyard
Douglas Gardner
24 Oct 2000
