Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

How about a Bible?

Seriously - the majority of such trips have been made without any of the gear
you mention. On the other hand, I have all that (except the SSB) when I go out
for a day sail.


"John Cairns" wrote in message
...
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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

I would have thought Chapman's or Bowditch would be more useful than a
Bible, unless you happen to be particularly religious.
John Cairns
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
How about a Bible?

Seriously - the majority of such trips have been made without any of the
gear
you mention. On the other hand, I have all that (except the SSB) when I
go out
for a day sail.


"John Cairns" wrote in message
...
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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Well, if you were thinking that a fridge might be an absolute necessity, maybe
you should be religious!



"John Cairns" wrote in message
...
I would have thought Chapman's or Bowditch would be more useful than a
Bible, unless you happen to be particularly religious.
John Cairns
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
How about a Bible?

Seriously - the majority of such trips have been made without any of the
gear
you mention. On the other hand, I have all that (except the SSB) when I
go out
for a day sail.


"John Cairns" wrote in message
...
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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

These days, it would be wiser to opt for several handheld GPSs as backups
to an installed GPS, rather than a sextant. In bad weather, you're unlikely
to be able to use the latter.

"MC" wrote in message
...
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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.

wrote in message
...
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 10:46:28 +1300, MC wrote:

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.



A good list, except that a dinghy is generally not interchangable with a
liferaft. Sometimes a dinghy is all you have, but a purpose specific
liferaft is
a much better choice if you have to abandon ship for any reason.

BB

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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

If you believe that you need a bible...

Cheers

Jonathan Ganz wrote:

Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.

wrote in message
...

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 10:46:28 +1300, MC wrote:


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.



A good list, except that a dinghy is generally not interchangable with a
liferaft. Sometimes a dinghy is all you have, but a purpose specific

liferaft is

a much better choice if you have to abandon ship for any reason.

BB


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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

So explain to us, if you will, how many cruising cats have sunk on the Bermuda
run.


wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:03:14 -0800, "Jonathan Ganz"
wrote:

Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


Boy are you STUPID!

BB


wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 10:46:28 +1300, MC wrote:

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.



A good list, except that a dinghy is generally not interchangable with a
liferaft. Sometimes a dinghy is all you have, but a purpose specific
liferaft is
a much better choice if you have to abandon ship for any reason.

BB

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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber saucer, aka
liferaft.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

So explain to us, if you will, how many cruising cats have sunk on the
Bermuda
run.


neither one.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

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?


According to Ganzy...just a hollow shell with a single pipe berth and a case of
Yoohoos! Be a REAL sailor!

Bwahahahahahaha!

RB

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Ummm... no thanks... God be with you...

"MC" wrote in message
...
If you believe that you need a bible...

Cheers

Jonathan Ganz wrote:

Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.

wrote in message
...

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 10:46:28 +1300, MC wrote:


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.



A good list, except that a dinghy is generally not interchangable with a
liferaft. Sometimes a dinghy is all you have, but a purpose specific

liferaft is

a much better choice if you have to abandon ship for any reason.

BB


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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Boy are you vying for beating about booby for the stupid win!

wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:03:14 -0800, "Jonathan Ganz"

wrote:

Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


Boy are you STUPID!

BB


wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 10:46:28 +1300, MC wrote:

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.



A good list, except that a dinghy is generally not interchangable with
a
liferaft. Sometimes a dinghy is all you have, but a purpose specific
liferaft is
a much better choice if you have to abandon ship for any reason.

BB

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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

I think what you're trying to say is that one would still
want a liferaft even if one had a multi... English your
second language by chance?

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber saucer,
aka
liferaft.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

OzOne wrote:

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 01:03:16 GMT,
scribbled thusly:


On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:03:14 -0800, "Jonathan Ganz"
wrote:


Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


Boy are you STUPID!

BB


Why?


How about:

http://www.abc.net.au/wa/summer/news...1/s1021359.htm

Cheers

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

OzOne wrote:

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 16:51:13 +1300, MC scribbled
thusly:

How about:

http://www.abc.net.au/wa/summer/news...1/s1021359.htm

Cheers


Yep, makes a valid point, the thing stayed afloat for 6 months!
try that in a mono!



Wonder why he abandonned it?

Cheers

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Yes, you're RIGHT AGAIN! A real sailor doesn't need much to go sailing.
YOU WIN! How awsome! The only thing is... since you're the yoohoo,
you wouldn't fit on most boats...

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
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?


According to Ganzy...just a hollow shell with a single pipe berth and a
case of
Yoohoos! Be a REAL sailor!

Bwahahahahahaha!

RB

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

It is only 650 miles. That's 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.

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.

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.

Also, and EPRIB is good.

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.

Bart

"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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:31:38 -0500, "John Cairns"
wrote this crap:

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?

Make sure you have enough battiers, for GPS, flashlights, radios, etc.

Make sure you have enough rum.




This signature is now the ultimate power in the universe

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

ganz, read it again, this time slowly and out loud.

I think what you're trying to say is that one would still
want a liferaft even if one had a multi... English your
second language by chance?

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber saucer,
aka
liferaft.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

it can be a lot longer than 4 days. In fact, 4 days might be considered rather
quick for that trip.

It is only 650 miles. That's 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.

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.

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.

Also, and EPRIB is good.

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.

Bart

"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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


Is there no end to Ganzy's lack of sailing brains?
You don't need a liferaft for a multi? Bwahahhaahahahaha!

Okay ganzy!

RB

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

especially if you spend 3 of those days looking for the Gulf Stream.

SV


"JAXAshby" wrote ...
it can be a lot longer than 4 days. In fact, 4 days might be considered
rather
quick for that trip.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
ganz, read it again, this time slowly and out loud.
snip

you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber saucer,
aka
liferaft.


Let's try to translate this......

Inflatable rubber saucer = liferaft

The two negatives ("don't" and "not to") cancel each other out, so it's
quite easy, really.

"You need training wheels to need a liferaft."

Did I get it right, Jax?



Regards


Donal
--

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

John,

I've known people that have made that trip with a watch set to greenwich
time and a small hand held AM Portable radio to home in on Bermuda's
radio broadcasts.

They sailed south on the LNH until picking up the local broadcast from
the Island

It is around a 900 mile trip, roughly a week to ten days. Refrig helps
if you want fresh produce but setting up for cruising rations isn't that
hard to take for that lenght of time

OT

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

OzOne wrote:


Yep, makes a valid point, the thing stayed afloat for 6 months!
try that in a mono!

Why not, a mono could have positive flotation ;)

DSK

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

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

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Jackass... write it again, this time in English.

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
ganz, read it again, this time slowly and out loud.

I think what you're trying to say is that one would still
want a liferaft even if one had a multi... English your
second language by chance?

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber saucer,
aka
liferaft.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Well, you certainly do! The rest of us actually know how to sail.
I'm sure you could use your fenders quite effectively! YOU WIN
AGAIN!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


Is there no end to Ganzy's lack of sailing brains?
You don't need a liferaft for a multi? Bwahahhaahahahaha!

Okay ganzy!

RB

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Make sure you have tit-reduction surgery before you
leave.

"Horvath" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 16:31:38 -0500, "John Cairns"
wrote this crap:

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?

Make sure you have enough battiers, for GPS, flashlights, radios, etc.

Make sure you have enough rum.




This signature is now the ultimate power in the universe

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Nutsy,

Why should anyone take you serious about off shore sailing, when you've
yet to spend your first day sailing out of sight of land?

Get real.

Ole Thom

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

nope, it means you don't need an inflatable saucer no matter what type of boat
you sail or drive.

read it again.

ganz, read it again, this time slowly and out loud.
snip

you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber saucer,
aka
liferaft.


Let's try to translate this......

Inflatable rubber saucer = liferaft

The two negatives ("don't" and "not to") cancel each other out, so it's
quite easy, really.

"You need training wheels to need a liferaft."

Did I get it right, Jax?



Regards


Donal
--

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

One thing is for sure, cell phone coverage is
going to really suck most of the way.

cell phone coverage will suck virtually the entire way New to Ber.


The inflatable harnesses are better than nothing

not really. fall overboard at sea with or without a PFD on and you can figure
on dying in the not too distant future.

BTW a few people mentioned "sextants." How about almanacs?

a sextant is almost as useless as tits on a boar. If lightning takes out all
your gps's it will also take out your quartz watches and you long distance
radios to reset them by. If you really do lose all your electronics, turn west
and sail until you sight land, stop at a Sunoco gas station and ask directions.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

ganz, it is way to hard to dumb down anything to your level.

It is up to you to graduate sixth grade all by yourself.

Jackass... write it again, this time in English.

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
ganz, read it again, this time slowly and out loud.

I think what you're trying to say is that one would still
want a liferaft even if one had a multi... English your
second language by chance?

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber saucer,
aka
liferaft.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

So, what you're saying is, besides the implication that you're
unschooled in basic English, that no one needs an inflatable.
This is patently wrong. What would Neal do without his
blow up girlfriend?

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
nope, it means you don't need an inflatable saucer no matter what type of
boat
you sail or drive.

read it again.

ganz, read it again, this time slowly and out loud.
snip

you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber
saucer,
aka
liferaft.


Let's try to translate this......

Inflatable rubber saucer = liferaft

The two negatives ("don't" and "not to") cancel each other out, so it's
quite easy, really.

"You need training wheels to need a liferaft."

Did I get it right, Jax?



Regards


Donal
--

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

And, you're saying that you did this? It's not apparent from
your writing...

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
ganz, it is way to hard to dumb down anything to your level.

It is up to you to graduate sixth grade all by yourself.

Jackass... write it again, this time in English.

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
ganz, read it again, this time slowly and out loud.

I think what you're trying to say is that one would still
want a liferaft even if one had a multi... English your
second language by chance?

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
Get a multihull, then you don't need the liferaft.


you don't need training wheels not to need an inflatable rubber
saucer,
aka
liferaft.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

no one needs an inflatable.

"inflatable saucers" were developed to *try* to keep downed in the sea fighter
pilots alive long enough to be recovered. The product probably would have
never sold well to the public without this association and the naming of the
product a "life"raft instead of what it is, an inflatable rubber saucer.

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

OzOne wrote:


I would venture that many here have no idea what an almanac is.

Helpful definition:
"Almanac: damn thick book in which one can never find the info for which one is
searching desperately before being interrupted by a new crises requiring that you
drop the book (often into the bilge) and run up on deck."

DSK

Sailing from Newport to Bermuda
 

Why not, a mono could have positive flotation ;)


OzOne wrote:
Yeah, so I've heard.
Kapok liferaft and jackets float too ;-)

Here's an idea... built a boat out of kapok trees!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King