The question is better answered if we know what type of use you are doing
with your sailboat: daysailing, week end, long distance, the length of time
and the frequency of use.
Ideally you should have both the AP and the jib roller Furler
As for me the orders of priority a
1) husky boat fenders, for when you want to dock in against concrete Warf's
and locks.
2) AP when you are just you and your wife, more time to spent on vigil,
charting and cooking. Unless you are going upwind once your sails are up
and trimmed your boat is on course. When the weather get rough you balance
your boat with the proper sail and trim.
When you have to lower your sails, untangled and free your furler the AP is
your third hand.
3) Radar and GPS and back up, depending on your area, in land or on a lake
these are not a priority.
4) Dodger and Bimini, when you spent lots of time on the water it is wise to
protect your skin against sun damages
5) Roller furlers for the jib and main, when you no longer can get in front
to change sails drop the main and bag them, it is safer to have a good
furling system. Conversely if your furler get tangled or jammed and you
are alone your AP will serve you well.

Now days newer sailboats are all coming equipped with furlers and many have
AP, dodger and bimini.

As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.

wrote:
As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.


That's for sure. Even though the Mirage 33 I crewed on for 5 years came
with a Bimini, I didn't see it used once. On the otherhand, the Dodger
was a popular item on cold blustery days when the most forward seats in
the cockpit were highly valued.

Your are probably right a bimini is not need it for when you sail a few hour
per week and racing on Thursday evening.
However, when you are always on your boat and are exposed to the sun 8 to 10
hours every day the situation is not the same. Now I know a little better
and I use sun blocker.
I hate this greasy stuff and I do not have it on my face all the time.
Unless you use white titanium the sun block will only protect you for about
15 to 30 minutes (according to my dermatologist). Many of his patients are
saying how come I end up with skin cancer I have been using sun screen and
blockers all my life.

"Don White" wrote in message
...
wrote:
As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.


That's for sure. Even though the Mirage 33 I crewed on for 5 years came
with a Bimini, I didn't see it used once. On the otherhand, the Dodger
was a popular item on cold blustery days when the most forward seats in
the cockpit were highly valued.

wrote:

As Dennis Marier's post makes clear, priorities differ. Those of us
who live where it is hot know that a Bimini comes long before any of
the other desired items, even before sails. Without a Bimini, you will
not sail long in the heat and all other gear will then be useless. So,
consider that your priorities might differ from what we have said.


Come to Canada to sail! Spend summer here, go home for winter.

You would qualify as a Canada goose, as we do for snow bird.

Terry K