Order of priorities ?

Sixpence

Sixpence

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Hope this doesn't come over as a complete numptie post, but in order of priority, which bit of kit comes first ?
Thanks to many on here, and some as far away as Scotland, I think I'm pretty well kitted out, but should I really have worried so much about things like a steering compass, or depth sounder, or even a gps ?
I notice there is talk of chart plotters elsewhere, but once Guapa tells me mine is good, I even have one of them too /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
But in order of priorities, where would you rate the kit ?
Oh, VHF I bought for the mobo and transferred /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif but that was when I was earning /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Thoughts ?
 
depth sounder. compass. gps. vhf (handheld is fine while you find your feet), flares

First three allow you to avoid problems. Others allow you to call ofr help if you have problems. You need charts and experience to use the first three.

If I had charts, and a choice of the above. Depth sounder and a good compass.
 
my priority would be~
1/ Brain, preferably with optional capability of learning from experence and with self preservation add on.
2/ Sound, well maintained boat [doesn't have to be shiny] with tools & bits to fix it.
3/ Warm / waterproof clobber.
4/ Radio receiver for weather forecasts
5/ lifejacket
6/ Compass
7/ Charts and almanack
8/ Echo sounder or dangly weight
9/ VHF radio
10/ GPS [actually this would be much higher but I've added items above to satisfy the safety gestapo]


11 onwards/ All the other shiny toys that we are told are essential
 
Essentials to me round here are compass (to take bearings and steer by), depth and corrected chart. Next would be a good pair of binoculars. Mine are 7 x 50 - never got on with the compass included ones. I expect I should say radar reflector and nav lights too even though I work on the principle that everyone else is out to get me!

Then (as we all do!) I produce a passage plan for anything other than local sailing which has a list of waypoints with their positions, distinguising features etc course and distance to next and list hazards I might meet on way, port details / access etc, plus a photocopy of tide table (and write on times) all in an A4 plastic wallet so if I can't make it into the cabin for whatever reason simple (like me) nav info is to hand. It doesn't take long to do as you are probably doing most of it already but this makes me put all the info in one place!

GPS / chart plotter are nice to have and make things much easier when shorthanded but not essential. Flipper only had a chartplotter added late in 08 up to then I had a handheld gps in the cockpit on a bit of string.

BUT highest priority of all is HAVE FUN. When it stops being fun I divert rather than bash on!
 
No-one seems to want a log, which was always a traditional requirement, after compass and depth-sounder (or heaving-line). It's a while since I used my log in anger other than as a convenience, but I think I'd feel uncomfortable going offshore without one.
 
Is that because most seem to use a GPS ?
The one I have is a hand held unit on loan from John, and I think it does everything a log does, so I decided to leave the log for now. Not sure if that's the right decision yet though
 
[ QUOTE ]
Essential:
1. Common sense
2. Compass
3. Echosounder
4. VHF
5. Flares
6. Proper oilies

Nice to have:
1. Windex
2. GPS
3. Liferaft
4. Radar

Toys:
1. Fixed VHF
2. Navtex
3. Plotter

[/ QUOTE ]

I would swap GPS for proper oilies in essential list to begin with. A bit later, drop the GPS as essential, and the experiences will have persuaded you that proper oilies are essential to maintaining a level of comfort and enjoyment. May help keep initial costs down too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
1. Echo sounder. If you sail in the rivers or close to the coast in good visibility you could do without a steering compass. But you'd be challenged without an echo sounder.
2. With a handheld gps you would know your position. Used together with charts, you could navigate with ease.
3. Handbearing compass is cheap and is a useful supplement to gps in case you feel you need a 'second opinion'
4. Log. Mine is often on the blink and it never bothers me. Your handheld gps will give you the information you need.
5. VHF. Handheld is good because you can have it handy in the cockpit, but with a fixed one you can transmit and receive er distances because the aerial is higher. Don't forget you can use your mobile phone while close to land.
6. Harnesses, lifelines, jackstays to stop you falling off the boat.
7. Well thought out man overboard drill in case you do.
8 Windex. Nice toy but hardly essential
9. Chartplotter. Fantastic toy great for longer journeys - say across the North Sea or in poor visibility, but you can use your gps. Only advantage of chartplotter over gps is that you don't have to plot the lat and long on the chart to see exactly where you are.
10. Liferaft. You don't really need one if you stay in the rivers or stay coastal. Hire one if you sail further afield.

But top of the list is a seaworthy vessel with a reliable engine and boat handling skills. Competent skipper and crew. Charts for the area you are sailing in. Almanac or some means of working out the tides. Pilot books good but not essential.
 
For me.

Sound Boat, good sails, sound engine
Charts
Tide Tables/almanack
Compass, Hand held & fixed
Gps, hand held & fixed
Echo sounder
Anchor & Chain
Some method of keeping dry & warm (I can't afford £600.00 so use layering methods)
Lifejacket & safety line

all IMHO /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Spinny round depth thingy=10-15 quid
Some method of recording speed/distance, but see binos below, and assume you are doing 4 kts or less if not windy.
Old Steering Compass=10 quid,hand bearing Suunto compass 3 quid ebay.
Jacket=I gave him one, seen here recently in working order
Charts of East Coast= Sold him folio for a fiver IIRC
A4 plastic map pocket on string=fiver maybe. Chinagraph pencil and Breton plotter thing another fiver. Add notebook and pencil, or write on the bulkhead with aforementioned chinagraph.
Fixed VHF=20 quid for old navico that works. Wouldnt want the radio not working out of sight of land, or in sight of sodding ship on breathless day.
Rocket Red flares 3 off and an Orange smoke please.
First Aid kit to staunch bleeding with Ginfger nut biscuits. Nothing else.
Stainless flask and coffee.
If no binos, ask Full Circle for Yashica 7x50s he bought off ebay for 3 quid.Can be used on east coast instead of GPS as buoys quite liberally spread around.

Go sailing when you have that lot.

Go a bit further out when you have practiced a bit. Maybe add a GPS at that point.
 
Still got to complete this

tn_09-04-07001.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
are they electronic then .
bet get an Admiralty Pattern Anchor of @ least 2Ton

[/ QUOTE ]

about as electronic as many of the items that other people list... waterproofs...binos... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
No mention of electronic on the opening post
 
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