None of those are absolute but you will need a sextant or GPS and charts
(paper). The following are essential IMHO: EPIRB, hand held VHF, flares,
grab bag and raft (or inflateable dinghy to be carried inflated on
deck). Add to that your own CO2 life vest with harness which has a
strobe light and whistle attached. You can clip the handheld VHF to it
too. Proper wet weather gear (say Musto offshore). Some good books and
music. Enough food and water for 2x the anticipated trip duration. Baby
wipes. Skin cream, sun block. Log book. Emergency nav lights. Bolt
cutters. Axe. Hacksaw. Pop rivet gun. Drill and bits. Spare sheets.
Storm jib/sails. Life lines. Harness lines. That'll do for starters.

Cheers

John Cairns wrote:

Interested in some opinions here, what equipment do I absolutely need? Do I
need radar, do I need a GPS with a chartplotter, do I need a SSB, should the
boat have refrigeration?
John Cairns