wrote in message
6...
Need some advice on safety equipment for sailing a little offshore. Our
plan is to charter a boat and sail out of New York for about 200 miles
than
come back. The idea is to gain some offshore experience but without
taking
too much risk.

You found a charter boat company that will let you do this??

There will be six of us, three experienced coastal sailors and three
beginners. I have done a little racing offshore (Newport to Bermuda) and
some limited heavy weather sailing but that's it.

Sounds like a decent mix

The 42' boat will be fairly well equipped with a lifesling, harnesses
etc. but without a few essential items: liferaft, SSB radio, EPIRB, 2nd
VHF. Can we manage without these? We intend to be at sea for only 4-5
days,
so we should have a fairly good idea about the weather but things can
always change.

You can rent EPIRB's from Boat US. You don't need an SSB but at least a
small shortwave rec'r. for weather info would be top of my list. Could
pick up a decent one for about $150-200. You could do without a 2nd VHF I
think; they are pretty reliable and useless beyond 30-40 miles from the
coast. You can probably also rent a liferaft.

I expect the biggest problem to be seasickness and fatigue among the
beginners. Any advice on managing that?

Sure - set watches from the beginning. Make sure people take seasickness
pills before they feel queasy. Sail conservatively and don't set out if the
weather is looking dicey or unsettled even if people "have to be back to
work on Monday". Don't do it in April Have lots of easily digested,
"one hand" meals & snacks available to each crew member. Make sure people
drink sufficiently to keep rehydrated. Watch the excess sun and cold.
Dress to suit the conditions. Get people together to discuss their
expectations and what circumstances would make you run for the coast and
shelter.


--
Evan Gatehouse

you'll have to rewrite my email address to get to me
ceilydh AT 3web dot net
(fools the spammers)