Equipment needed to liveaboard a boat

[Nostrodamus]

One of the questions we get asked a lot is "What equipment do I need when living aboard".
I did a blog on this which can be seen here
http://www.cygnus3.com/the-best-boat-equipment/

It is not a full list but it does cover some of the major things we have found make our lives far easier and includes
anchors
power
drinking water purifier
Dinghy and choice of outboard
Chart plotters
Cameras
Sunglasses
Dehumidifiers
music

If any one wants to add to this list please do so as it may help others preparing their boats to liveaboard.
If anyone wants to know more about a specific item or anything in general then please just ask.

 

[macd]

A lawnmower.
There are few greater pleasures than looking at one over the rim of a large G&T and thinking, "and you'll get the same work-out tomorrow".

 

[vyv_cox]

Some disagree but for our home port and sailing area we would not be without folding bikes. It gives us great pleasure to ring our bells as we speed past people sweating into/out of Lakki loaded down with shopping.

Others:
Stern platform and shower with its own water supply to avoid using all the boat supply.
Passerelle
Cockpit table, cushions, barbecue
Bimini and awning with side screens
Windlass with capstan

We did carry inflatable canoes but found we did not get the use out of them to justify the stowage space.

 

[Cardo]

Working engine.

 

[KellysEye]

You don't say if you it is living aboard static or long distance. If it's long distance it's two spares for everything including outboard engine, appropriate tools and expanded parts diagrams. The things that break or fail most are impellors, fan belts, water pumps, water maker membranes and carry a spare alternator. We also carried spare rigging and Sta-Lok fittings, spare dinghy engine prop, water and diesel containers on deck, dive gear, heater, dehumidifier, air conditioning unit in the Tropics, undercoat and topcoat epoxy paint (steel boat), spare sheets, spare halyards. I could go on the list fills an A4 sheet.

 

[alexsailor]

Books
Good computer (Apple MacBook Air is perfect; small, light and lasts for hours) with many downloaded movies and music.
WiFi spot router
Nice paraffin oil lamp
Whiskey
Hiking or sport shoes
Notepad (not APP; paper one and a good pencil to write your toughts
Good coffee and cafetiera with your favorite cup

 

[Nostrodamus]

Thank you for adding to the list and keep them coming. As I say my list was a small one but when initially equipping your boat it is good to have an idea.
I would add
A stern arch with dinghy davits and a way of hoisting the outboard. On top as many solar panels as you can fit.

 

[BobnLesley]

Very little nowadays; beer cans are all ring-pull tops and the wine is in screw-top bottles or boxes, perhaps a Swiss Army knife just in case?

 

[daveyw]

A boat.

 

[capnsensible]

Some people carry a load of stuff around they will never use.....

Been through our live on boat recently and once again binned loadsa junk.

Do like having a small radiator on a timer and dehumidifier though.

 

[LittleSister]

Not many following in Shane Acton's foosteps, then!

 

[laika]

One of the questions we get asked a lot is "What equipment do I need when living aboard".
[...]
power
drinking water purifier
Dinghy and choice of outboard
Chart plotters
Cameras
Sunglasses
Dehumidifiers
music

With your professed abhorrence of (male) nudity you have sunglasses listed but no pants?

 

[Nostrodamus]

With your professed abhorrence of (male) nudity you have sunglasses listed but no pants?

I would never say that... I don't use such big words but I do have huge, baggy, grey "Y" fronts.

 

[michael_w]

Waterproof bag for carrying your laptop in the dinghy for when you go ashore hunting wi-fi and $1 beers.

 

[Yngmar]

A well equipped toolbox. And grease. And a pack of builder wipes for when you get said grease on your fingers and water is precious.
Also a long-range omnidirectional wi-fi antenna somewhere halfway up the mast so you don't have to go ashore hunting wi-fi

 

[Peroo]

Some kind of simple power generator or battery charger - solar, wind, engine, whatever; if you want a cool G&T, a simple way to keep the fridge running is essential.

That and a VHF to contact the folks ashore when the ice is low!

 

[Bertramdriver]

Cutting everything down to basics
Microwave
Portable induction cooker
Ice maker
Aircon in all cabins
Immersion heater for water calorifier
Generator
Watermaker
Espresso machine
Toaster
Electric kettle
Bikes
Lcd TV
Portable sim wifi router
Multiple usb charging points for I gear
And now a portable washing machine
We tried with a dish washer doubling as a washing machine but it took up too much space and the smalls kept jamming the rotors inside.
Funny how spending months aboard you end up with the same clutter you have at home

 

[LadyInBed]

Re downloaded movies, a guy I met had someone in UK to record tv series and films that were put on a vpn for him to download when decent wifi was available.

 

[jimbaerselman]

About six or seven years ago I used to give talks on fitting out for the Med. I published the notes at http://www.jimbsail.info/preparing/fitting-out-mediterranean . People kept pointing out what was missing . . . so it grew.

Your blog is much more fun to read though!

For the Baltic, I'm sure there would be a lot of changes. And nowadays, it's not easy keeping abreast of communication and chart plotter developments. I'm still in the dark ages, living with DR, light houses, paper charts and leading lines . . . whereas many would put chart plotters and GPS top of their lists.

I see yours is on top of the binnacle . . . or somewhere like that.

 

[Nostrodamus]

Jim, you are right in saying that there are variations on the list depending on which area you cruise in and your site does give fantastic information and is required reading.
"What gear" is a question we get asked a lot and everyone here has contributed excellent ideas. Hopefully it will give those planning to move aboard or spend extended periods aboard an idea of what is required and what makes our lives easier.