John, I cruise a few times each year, but not not enough to justify a wet cell system. I do everything with dry cells. This year's addition was a set of LED nav lights. I bought them from a hunting/fishing outfit called Cabela's, for about $60, since I didn't see anything similar in the marine stores. Besides the nav lights, I have battery powered: GPS handheld VHF (rechargeable, with dry cell back up) CD player with speakers various lights - florescent camping lights are great for the cabin depth finder (Pirhana 1 fish finder) works great, not that I really need it in an M15 a headlight for deck work when you need 2 hands - and it always points where you are looking and a solar/crank-powered radio
Except for 1 or 2 flashlights (D's), the headlight (AAA's) and the radio, all take AA cells. I now have 8 rechargeable AA cells, and could use more! Here is what works for me, in the safety and comfort categories. I use about 1 gallon of water/day, and can store enough for more than a week under the forward berth, keeping the weight forward. I am comfortable with only 1 gallon of gas for my Honda 2. With the litre in the tank I can run about 7-8 hours, or about 30 miles. And the gallon fits in my shallow cockpit locker. Some store gas in quart size motor oil bottles for easy pouring and storage. For rough weather/cold water, I have an inflatable life vest with harness, tether and an attachment point under the bridge deck, next to the centerboard pennant. I have a 4.4 lb Horizon Claw with chain plus 125' of 1/4" nylon that shares the cockpit locker with the fuel can. My storm anchor is an 11 lb Claw with 125' of 3/8" nylon and a few feet of chain. Overkill for the 15. It lives under the port berth with my dock lines. My 6' X 7' nylon boom tent is almost a necessity for both hot and wet weather. A patch of mosquito netting for use on the main hatch, when necessary. A warm sleeping bag. That's the important stuff that comes to mind. If there is anything I missed, I'm sure others will fill in the gaps. Well, not everything. The second reef in the main and storm jib may be the most important safety items. Have fun! Bill Riker [EMAIL PROTECTED] 412-341-7198 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jon Martin Sent: November 25, 2003 8:09 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: M_Boats: Cruising equipment ideas Hi All - I am hoping to participate in the week long San Juan cruise next summer in my M15. I've never done this before, and am thinking it would be a good way to get started with a group. I am wondering about specific equipment that one should have, and other equipment that would be nice to have - such as anchor/rode recomendations, lighting (I don't have a battery and would rather not get one), water and fuel amounts, other safety equiopment, etc. I have a hand held VHF radio and a compass - what else should I be thinking of to get ready? My plan is to have everything ready by April or so, and spend a few nights on the Columbia River to get familiar with anchoring/sleeping etc. Thanks, Jon Martin in Walla Walla _________________________________________________________________ Has one of the new viruses infected your computer? Find out with a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
