Whats in your boat bag?

[skylark]

Lets say you were going to fly down from the frozen north to Florida, carrying a backpack and a boat bag.  Your goal is to buy a small sailboat, test it, provision it, make any repairs and head to the Bahamas.  The purpose is to live aboard for a long period of time and explore the Caribbean.

What is your list of things to take along?

[Tim]

Sorry Paul, the only thing I can think of is lots of money  :D

[skylark]

Money is definitely part of it.  A credit card linked to an account that will provide 1 or 2 thousand a month would be nice.

Unfortunately, this exercise is simply theoretical at this point, motivated by yet another blizzard to wait out in the ice cave.  I have been searching the boat for sale sites and dreaming about walking on to something like this: http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/40932

Here is my first try at a packing list:

Packing List to Fly In and Walk on to a Sailboat

Wear on Trip:

khaki pants
oxford shirt
stylish sweater
jacket
boat shoes

Duffel Bag (carry on)

Clothing:
polypropylene/wool long underwear, top and bottom
6 underwear
6 socks
1 synthetic sports suit (sweat pants) top and bottom
2 synthetic sports shorts (soccer shorts)
2 synthetic sports tee shirts
1 khaki cargo shorts
3 cotton tee shirts
1 khaki long pants
2 light colored oxford shirts
1 wool sweater
lightweight rain/wind anorak and pants
ballcap
warm cap
boating hat (brim)
work gloves
work khaki pants
work tee shirt
Foul weather gear, jacket and pants

Backpack (check in)

Footwear:
flip flops
warm slippers
decent sandals
rubber boots

Hygiene Bag:
toothbrush
baking soda
nail clippers
scissors
comb
bar soap
disposable razors
band aids
antibiotic cream

Electronics:
tablet (Nexus 7 or similar, cell and gps) with books and charts loaded
Frankenbebi anchor light (dusk to dawn, cigarette lighter plug)
handheld gps (AA powered)
headlamp (AA powered)
handheld vhf (AA powered)
shortwave am/fm radio (AA powered)
solar AA charger or two
20W solar panel (flexible, with small battery to charge tablet, power anchor light)

Navigation:
handheld bearing compass
binoculars
cruising guide for area
a few general charts for area
2 spiral bound notebooks
pens, mechanical pencils, pencils

Gear bag:
life vest harness and tether
boat knife for boat
boat knife on lanyard
sail palm, needles, thread, wax
line splicing kit
mechanical tool kit (small)
electric tool kit (small)
electronic connector kit

Personal:
sunglasses
spare glasses
passport
hidden pockets
cash, cards
paperback book
sleeping bag (synthetic)
sheets
mask, snorkel, fins

Cooking:
steak knife
plate, bowl
cup
fork, knife, spoon
cutting board

Buy on Site:
detail charts
mouthwash
hydrogen peroxide
first aid kit
cast iron frying pan, lid
teflon omelet frying pan, lid
medium pressure cooker, stainless steel
plastic bowls
square tupperware containers
ziploc bags
heavy tools (saw, hammer, bigger tool selection)

[CharlieJ]

Not a bad list-

You can skip the underwear- add a few bathing suits instead. Also most of the socks. Once aboard you won't wear them. heck- I went a year with out wearing shoes- just flips :D

Also the chart plotter- the tablet with charts will do that job, but add a hand held GPS. NOT A Garmin 78.

For the charts- for the Bahamas the Explorer chart books are THE thing. Don't leave Florida without them.

Before you leave home, get a vacuum bagger (food saver) and vacuum bag all your extra clothes, sheets, etc. They take up immensely less room and stay dead dry.


In place of the Tupperware, look into Lock and Lock containers- All I use aboard, in various sizes. A tad expensive, but worth the money. You can buy online. Water PROOF and air tight. I keep electronics, batteries, etc in them. Also coffee, sugar, flour, whatever.

And finally- I have ALL my ongoing bills auto paid. NOT online banking- set up with each place ( electric, water, etc that will stay hooked up). My income is auto deposited in that account, so I don't ever have to worry about writing a check to pay a bill.

I'me sure I'm missing something too- big undertaking you are looking at.

[skylark]

Yes, I have almost forgotten what it is like to be outside without cold protective gear on.  I was a little worried not having boots on the list.

I need to add snorkeling equipment to that list.  

I will keep editing and updating as I go, so comments may be based on a previous version of the list above.

[skylark]

I used to have the colonizer mentality with the boat, I wanted to have a half years worth of food and all the tools to rebuild civilization (but in a better way). 

Now I am thinking that my key belongings should fit in a backpack and duffel bag so I can walk away from a bad situation with everything important on my back. 

My boat is just a means of transport and a temporary living space.  I wish to make it as pleasant as possible but if SHTF, I can stuff my stuff in a canoe or a car and roll on to the next adventure.  Or jump on a jet back to the land of ice and snow and return to the usual grind of building a pile of the filthy lucre.

[skylark]

I went through the list again and found some lower cost substitutions for items on the list with things that I already have or can easily put together.

Replace smartphone with Navigatrix laptop with 2 batteries, 12V adaptor and a 20W, 12V dedicated solar panel.

Replace anchor light with homemade 12V led anchor light with cigarette lighter plug, using boat battery.

Make up AA battery charger with 10 AA battery pack, connector and 1.5W 12V solar panel with blocking diode (2 of these required).

Sew harness out of seat belt strap, with dual 1/2" line tether and carabiner.

Add life vest.

[CapnK]

 Serious omission, must be rectified:

No coffee making gear listed. :o Not even a pot, for making Cowboy coffee.

I guess you could 'cold brew' overnight in your cup if it is metal and you could heat in it as well, but...

;D