casefortrawlers » Page 3 of 5

I haven’t taken the time to review the current crop of GPS systems that are on the market. We are still pretty happy with our 7 year-old Garmin chartplotters that just keep plugging along. Whatever your choice, be sure that your GPS has the capability of leaving a cookie crumb trail. The trail is invaluable for safety in anchorages where dragging at night might require a hasty exit. We also use the cookie crumb trail for normal night departures from anchorages and reef crossings. Be sure the GPS is set for fast positional changes when it is used in this manner. With good navigation software and CD charts we haven’t found any advantage in buying GPS chart chips. We do, however, make hardcopy charts on the computer printer days in advance of our intended path. In that way, we haven’t found it necessary to have large paper charts aboard.

The next issue is to carry adequate spare parts. Adequate is qualified by the extent and duration of your intended cruise. Depending upon the vintage of your equipment, spare parts may include everything from toilet repairs, to engine and genset exhaust elbows, damper plates, hoses, belts, water pumps (fresh and raw), filters, fuel pump, engine(s) rudder and shaft zinc, packing gland material, and on and on. We have developed our own spares list and have so far found it to be adequate. It is two pages long and has about 50 items on it. That list has developed and grown over the years. We did nicely with a smaller list early on, but as the years passed the list has grown.

Our tool chest is extensive. We try not to get caught up in the latest do-dad thingies, but every fastener on the boat has a respective tool. Only recently has a prop puller been added to the arsenal. The necessity of a prop puller can be argued, but last year we experienced the need and happiness of having one available.

Joan takes care of the food-stocks and it is a big job. Some cruisers may disagree with the need her rigorous approach, but it works for us and I’ll pass it along. Joan maintains an inventory spreadsheet that includes item quantities and a code indicating where they are stored on Francesca. We typically carry enough foodstuff for 12 to 18 months. That includes paper products, canned, boxed, bagged and frozen food. In the lower latitudes, some canned foods and paper products may be available, but at a 2 or 3 to 1 price premium. Meats in foreign ports can be excellent, but most often they are of poor quality.

We often eat out or eat our catch; both of which help to reduce the amount of food needed to be stored aboard. Your individual tastes and some extended cruising experience will help you decide how to stock your vessel.