top of page

Micro-Cruising and Ocean Rowing Equipment List

Updated: Feb 16, 2020

This is some of the long-distance Micro-Cruising equipment I will be considering, it is based on some of the equipment I recommend to some of the Ocean Rowing teams that I assist with their vessel preparation at www.willmyboatfloat.com.


This is a work in progress and is constantly updated/swapped/amended. Eventually, I hope to write a full post/page with details each item and its pros and cons.


Electronics:

  • Chart plotter

  • A handheld Back-up GPS – some mobile devices may suffice but suffer poor battery life/options

  • A fixed VHF Radio

  • VHF Antenna

  • Navigation Lights

  • Spare Floating handheld VHF radio to be kept in Grab Bag

  • Interior and chart lights (L.E.D)

  • A battery monitor

  • Radar enhancer (Echo-max)

  • Head torch

  • ToughBook (Laptop) in Pelican case. Use for email, weather charts, uploading photographs etc.

  • AIS Transceiver

  • Auto-Pilot + (Spare? if using Tiller Pilots)

  • A Fan/Solar powered fan

  • Solar Panels + MMPT Regulator

  • Cameras – I have a Panasonic impact/waterproof DMC-FT5 for everyday photographs and video. I have a separate DSLR for extra special photos and when on dry land.

  • Mains Inverter (+ Spare?) for charging devices that need a mains battery charger (digital camera) where a 12v version is unavailable. I’d prefer to charge them straight from 12v sockets though as that would be more efficient and less kit to carry.

  • Disposable batteries for handheld and other devices such as head-torches etc. (Rechargeable?)

  • Battery charger and spare batteries

  • Batteries for handheld and other devices such as head-torches etc. (Rechargeable?)

  • Spare USB / Charging Cables - prone to corrosion and failure.

  • Individual solar panel for equipment i.e. Phones/SatPhone/GPS. Anker make a good versatile system with many options/adaptors.

  • Satellite Phone

  • Tracker such as: YellowBrick Tracker, SpotX Tracker, Garmin InReach

  • 12V electric kettle – A luxury for days when the batteries are full or boat is sat on the dock. Saves using gas.


Storage:

  • Bungee cords – necessary for securing everything on deck and in the cabin

  • Pelican cases – solid, waterproof

  • MSR Dromedary10l bags for water storage / movable ballast (also doubles as emergency drinking water storage)

  • 'Lock ‘n’ Lock' clipped waterproof food containers – useful for electronics as well as food, other spares and equipment.

  • AquaPac MP3 player bag

  • AquaPac phone pouch

  • Clear Aquapac bag containing instruction manuals

  • Bag of spare AquaPac's

  • Waterproof deck bag


Water Making:

  • Water-maker (Such as Katadyn Power Survivor, Spectra Ventura 150 etc.)

  • Pickling solution, wrench, and replacement sea strainer cup for the water-maker

  • Spare water-maker feed pump

  • Katadyn (Survivor 06) manual emergency water-maker and cleaning chemicals


Safety:

  • Crash helmet for rough weather, sitting out storms in the cabin etc.

  • First-Aid kits A few first aid items for everyday use i.e. plasters, burn gel, Savlon etc. Main sea/ocean First aid kit

  • The Ship Captains Medical Guide – Printed or Downloaded. The downloaded is the most up-to-date, FREE, and can be stored on a digital device, or hard-printed.

  • Laser Flare

  • Traditional Flare pack which is suitable for area sailing in i.e. coastal, offshore etc.

  • Some extra quick grab white flares for anti-collision and emergencies

  • A safety harness for each crew member

  • Fire extinguishers / Fire Blanket

  • Smoke Alarm

  • CO (Carbon Monoxide) Alarm

  • Grab bag containing flares, duct tape, flashlight, signalling mirror, fishing kit, GPS, sun cream, VHF radio, spare compass, torch/flashlights, PLB (personal locator beacon), emergency rations, snap lights, emergency top, & emergency poncho, spare spectacles, medication, etc – A new blog will be created detailing the grab bag use and its contents.

  • Immersion/Survival Suits

  • Life Jackets for each crew member and a spare

  • Spare Life Jacket inflation canisters

  • PLB (Personal Locating Beacon) – I use an ACR ResQLink+

  • Personal AIS beacon

  • EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

  • SART (Search and Air Rescue Transponder)

  • Flotation Devices – Rings/Horseshoe

  • Throwing Line

  • Dan Buoy

  • Floating safety knife to be worn on a lanyard

  • Fog Horn

  • SOLAS – ‘Lifesaving Signals At Sea’ card

  • Glow Sticks – for emergency lighting and signalling – I use the same bright long-life 8hr ones that the army use (Lumica NSN Nato Stock Number 6260-01-218-5146). White or red can be used inside (red to retain night vision, though some now recommend green), perhaps a green and red stick on each exterior side of the vessel can be used to as back-up navigation lighting in close quarters.

  • SOLAS Torch – I own an ACR FireFly Pro with a strobe function.

  • Jack Lines and Harnesses


Entertainment:

  • Stereo / Radio

  • Music / Audiobooks loaded onto mp3 players

  • Digital Books on a tablet computer – take up less space than printed books

  • Printed books – use no power!

  • Movies downloaded to tablet devices


Tools / Maintenance:

  • Duct/Gorilla tape – the proper stuff not a cheap equivilant

  • Cable ties

  • Electrical crimping set

  • Compartmentalised boxes of useful bits & pieces, spare nuts and bolts.

  • Another tub of useful bits & pieces including rhino clips, waterproof case of batteries, small first aid kit, matches, cable grips, compass, spare eye straps, spare flashlights, duct tape, electrical meter, cable ties, spare fuses, knives, & spare swivel shackles

  • Tools Kits Frequently Used Tools – in easy to access space – you are more likely to do those little jobs if the kit is easier to get at! Remaining tools – in secondary kit

  • Handheld Multi-tool – use a good branded reliable item

  • Sail / Rigging Repair Kit

  • Engine Spares – i.e. belts, sparkplugs (if petrol), impellers, drive belts etc. See manufactures recommended list.


Galley:

  • JetBoil Stove and Fuel

  • Stove Gimbal

  • Assorted galley items including food containers, sporks, forks, knives & spoons etc.

  • Water drinking bottles

  • Sproutamo bean sprouter

  • Thermos

  • Thermos food bowl

  • Cups

  • Bowls/Plates


Other Equipment:

  • Fishing rod

  • Compartmentalised box containing a fishing kit

  • Bucket cleaning products, dustpan, rags, bin bags, brush & dustpan

  • Funnel & hose for decanting water

  • Cushions

  • Mattress

  • Mask & Snorkel

  • 'Scrubba' Wash Bag


Boat Equipment:

  • Bilge pumps - Manual & Electric

  • Hand bailing scoop

  • Spare ropes and line, drogue

  • Throwing line

  • A bag containing spare sea anchor line

  • 'Shockles' (Line Snubbers)

  • Para-Anchor, lines and spare parts – in a bag ready to deploy

  • Drogue, lines and spare parts – in a bag ready to deploy

  • Ruler, chart plotter, dividers

  • Marking buoys for anchors, sea-anchors etc.

  • Fenders

  • A waterproof bag/wallet containing paper charts

  • Main & Secondary Anchor

  • Heavy-duty Lantern (torch) – I use a floating version, a Unilite UK47

  • Signal Flags

  • Ships Log Book – for keeping track of position, miles, weather, sightings etc.

  • Binoculars

  • Ships Papers – Insurance, Proof of ownership, Registrations etc.


Personal Supplies:

  • Toiletries – shampoo & conditioner, sun lotion, razors, toothpaste, wet wipes, shower gel, soap etc.

  • Photos, pictures and small gifts from friends

  • Sleeping Bag & Spare inner linings

  • Caps / Hats

  • Buff / Snood

  • Medication

  • Passport / ID

  • Training Certificates etc.

  • Mascot (Soft Toy)

  • Waterproofs

  • Deck Shoes / Boots

  • Sailing Gloves

  • Stores:

  • Re-hydration fluids/tablets

  • Food

  • Juice

  • Squash Shots

  • Rations

This list has been updated to include some items that not relevant to the rowing boats though (such as engine parts!).

86 views

Recent Posts

See All

Commenti


bottom of page