N1EE wrote:

It is only 650 miles. That's four days.

Depends on the boat, depends on the weather. I think the record now is a little
under 3 days, but it would take a pretty fast boat to get there in four days.


Refridgeration always seems to break down
and ruin all your food. If you don't count
on it, it can't crap out on you. Bring rice,
pasta and, eggs, and a fishing pole.

Agreed, with the caveat that I've found modern refrigeration to be quite
reliable... provided the installation is done right... however it is a power hog.



Radar is nice for determining how far you
are from while making an approach. I suppose
a chart display will do that also. Both
together are reassuring.

Radar can be a great tool for figuring out approaches. Radar will tell you things
that a GPS will not... and vice versa of course.



You should have some long range communications
either an SSB that you know how to use, and
that works--many I've seen don't work and the
owners are cluesless that they don't, or
better--a sat-phone.

A good thing to have, but really not a necessity. The SSB hooked to a weather fax
would also be a great tool.


Also, and EPRIB is good.

Well, my own philosophy is to not worry about calling for help and thus not to
worry about keeping in touch either. One thing is for sure, cell phone coverage is
going to really suck most of the way.



I prefer foam lifejackets. It would not be
fun to find out in the middle of the ocean
that your inflatable doesn't work. If you
wear an inflatable, wear it outside of your
foulies.

Very good point. The inflatable harnesses are better than nothing, but they are
far from totally reliable. Also they do nothing to keep you warm nor protect you
from impacts. And as for havng one inflate inside your foul weather gear, that an
be a death sentence. Yet people wear them inside their jackets all the time.

BTW a few people mentioned "sextants." How about almanacs? A sextant, all by
itself, is not very useful.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King