I’ve put together a list here of things that I need for the boat. I’ve included links to sites where they are available, but these are just suggestions, and for reference. If you would like to donate to my campaign, and have something on the list sitting in your basement, gathering dust, I’ll take it!
Dry Bags: Sealine makes some awesome duffle bags- and they actually keep things dry! Little dry bags are always useful too!
Sunglasses: I have gone through 2 pairs in the last few months… I’m trying to wear nice ones to protect my eyes since so much of my time is spent on the water, but it’s starting to get expensive! My favorites are RayBans, pretty sure that’s the exact pair… I’m wearing them in almost every picture on this website, I love them! But Suncloud makes some decent polarized ones that are cheaper and perfect as back-up.
Charts: NOAA Nautical Charts Online has everything here. The #18649, #18680 or #18645 will be necessary for much of my training and races like the Farallons and Lightship races. #19359 will be required for Pacific Cup. Then I’ll need a whole batch for Europe, Madeira and Brazil next year….
Spot: I’ve love to have a SPOT device, especially so that people can keep track of my during my qualifier this month.
Books: These include some required and some that are just on my personal wishlist. I bet you can tell one from the other: International Medical Guide for Ships Tide Tables (Pacific for 2010, will need the Atlantic/ Europe one for 2011) Not sure if this counts for the COLREG and Int’l Signals Code requirement, if so, it’s pretty cool. Any suggestions on weather and celestial navigation books are always appreciated- I’d love to borrow that sort of thing. Wet Notes.
Food: Freezedried- Mountain House is AWESOME, but gift cards to Trader Joe’s, REI, other shops like that would be a big help too.
Misc: Sykaflex, Smartwool socks, Jetboil canisters, tubes of Plexus, a dry suit, etc.
Auto Pilot: I’d love to get a tiller pilot, like a Raymarine ST4000 Tiller Ram.
iTunes gift cards: I know, it sounds funny, but I listen to a lot of music and books on tape while I’m offshore, and it all adds up!
A Van: Yeah… the search is on for something I can live in and tow my boat with over in Europe. If you know anyone that has a beater that they might want to offload… preferably in France, or Belgium…
and while we’re throwing big ticket items up here-
A Fuel Cell: Yup. I want one of these. Combine one of the little ones with my solar panels and I’d never have to think about energy again. Which would be awesome.
Horseshoe Buoy: I’m required to have a permanent buoyancy man overboard buoy with a drogue and auto-strobe… I used to have one, but it went overboard in a wipeout half way to Hawaii….. Oops.
