The Skippers View of our First Extended Trip

Fri 24 Sept 2010

Essentials for Cruising
*Compatible crew (Annie is great company, even managing to put with Capt Michael Bligh for 3 months).
*Mandatory safety gear.
*Reliable autopilot (longtime helming is a major chore).
*Electric anchor winch preferably able to be used from the cockpit.
*All chain anchor rode, 50m minimum length.
*A spare anchor, preferably 2 spares with rode already connected (chain & rope).
*Jack lines and harnesses for going forward.
*Good refrigeration, not only can the beer and wine be kept cool but fresh food lasts longer.
*A method of charging batteries other than the engine, ie solar panels, wind generator or both.
*Jerry cans for spare fuel.
*Manuals to operate and fix systems.
*Backup GPS.
*Essential spare parts for the engine (in our case a spare gearbox was very useful).
*A lightweight O/B motor for the tender (not a 27 kg beast unless you are very strong).
*Spray dodger and bimini for protection from the elements.
*Charts and pilot guides (NSW, Alan Lucas; Qld, Alan Lucas, Beacon to Beacon, Curtis Coast, 100 Magic Miles).
*Boat licence (mandatory in Queensland for any vessel with greater than a 4 HP motor).
*Holding tank for sewage
*Some form of inside shower.
*Insect screens to keep out mossies and sand flies (itchy bitey scratchy without them).
*Small fan heater for use in marinas when it is really cold.
*Sense of humour for those trying times and a non grumpy skipper, (sorry for being a grump at times Anne).

Extras that would be nice to have
*Davits to raise the dinghy at night or on inshore waters.
*Wheels for the dinghy saves the back when the tide is out (we have them now we are home).
*A wind vane if you can get it to work.
*Chart plotter or laptop with nav program.
*Radar for night sailing.
*I am sure there are a lot more but that is all I can think of for now.

Statistics
Distance to Rosslyn Bay (our furthest point north) as the crow flies 600 nautical miles.
Distance covered by Saaremaa was 1600 nautical miles.

Length of cruise in days 91, of which 50 were in 8 different marinas, 28 were on anchor, 6 at jetties, 5 on moorings and 2 at sea.

Marinas varied in price from $27.50 at Gladstone to $50 per night at Port Macquarie for our 35ft vessel. The average price was $35 per night.

The engine was used for 260 hours of motor sailing and burned 470 L of diesel costing $630.