Advice for first overnight

[Begester]

Whats the one thing that you cant live without on your overnight trip? Taking my 24" Sea Ray Cuddy out in Puget Sound for an overnight at one of the islands and would love to hear some opinions!

Cheers

 

[QC]

Re: Advice for first overnight

An anchor . . . Maybe elaborate a little more on your experience so far. A protected anchorage? Enough fuel to get back? Toothbrush? Coffee? My favorite blankie? Not trying to be too sarcastic, but there's not one thing. There's a lot of things . . .

In all seriousness if you are setting your own anchor (not a mooring), a GPS with an anchor alarm would be the only way I could sleep.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Advice for first overnight

What QC said. And... use your fresh water sparingly when showering or doing dishes. 20 gallons only sounds like a lot. It isn't. Keep a flashlight next to the bunk. Off! mosquito coils work great to clear out the boat after you've put up the camper canvas. A small propane or butane stove is handy- nicer to cook or make coffee in the cockpit than in the cabin. Pre-cool the fridge on HIGH while you're on shore power- shut it off when you reach your anchoring spot. Start a list of the things you wish you'd had with you, and those things that weren't necessary and only took up space. File a float plan. Make sure your anchor light works.

Most of all, relax and have fun! Even when I need to get up occasionally to check the set of the anchor, overnighting is one of the funnest things we do, and the reason I upgraded from my 24' Chris Craft to the boat in my sig... so we can do it more often, more comfortably.

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: Advice for first overnight

Do not forget the toilet paper!!!!!

Art

 

[rbh]

Re: Advice for first overnight

If you dropping anchor, remember the tides.
One minute your 60 feet away from the beach, the next you are on the beach.
Power consumption, your batteries will only last so long, make sure you have two of the biggest, longest lasting deep cycle ones you can find (and you isolate one for starting only)

The fridge eats up way to much power on 12VDC, get a good cooler for your food, and only run your fridge when your running the motor and ice packs will keep it cold/cool.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Advice for first overnight

His and her knit caps for warmth.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Advice for first overnight

I'll take the one under the pink hat, Bob.

Ice blocks work better than loose ice. I freeze empty plastic bottles of all sizes for boating. If you use clean bottles, you have cool drinking water as they melt, and they don't leave your food sitting in a puddle. And if you are one of the mathematically impaired who buys the bottled tap water, freeze them too.
A good squeegie or chamois for the morning when everything is covered with dew.

Consider candles (in safe containers) for light. Gets the ladies in a good mood, too.

 

[Begester]

Re: Advice for first overnight

Hey guys,

thanks for all the good replies. A little more about the trip...its a 22 mile run from home Marina to destination Marina (Bainbridge Island) through the Lake, ship canal, locks, and a 6.25 mile crossing.

As for my experience, I've had the boat about 3 years; have put about 400 hours on it, and I'm confident in my abilities to control/handle the boat. Weather forecast is good, light winds, with the possibility of light rain on Saturday (as is most Saturdays in the Pacific Northwest). I will continue to monitor the weather up until departure to assure a safe and enjoyable time.

I'll be mooring at a marina with power. I've never tried the shorepower on my boat, and I'm a little unclear as to when I hit the breakers (when I plug in?) or exactly how the shorepower works; although the surveyor told me it worked when I bought it. I'm assuming that I'll either figure it out upon arrival or live without boat power. I've got my bilge system wired such that its always powered when I hit a switch, so that part should be covered. I've also got a backup on-board just in case.

I'll have my full camper top, which keeps the cockpit dry in case it rains Saturday AM. Thanks for the help, and for helping to make this a positive experience for me and my better half!

Cheers

 

[mrchev]

Re: Advice for first overnight

on my boat if i leave the main on and then plug to shore power it trips the main. so i plug in first an then turn the main on. enjoy the trip.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Advice for first overnight

I would try the shorepower before you go to eliminate any surprises when you get there. It would be a shame to have your first trip ruined because of inexperience with the system.

 

[QC]

Re: Advice for first overnight

Based on your reply it sounds like creature comforts are your biggest need. So, back to the blankie . . . I'm jealous, have fun

 

[jjacobs007]

Re: Advice for first overnight

Always keep xtra tools on hand,and make a list of all the other goodies and check them off before you get in boat.many overniters have i always forgot 1 very special item like a cd,medicine,batteries,lighter,and etc.

 

[shrew]

Re: Advice for first overnight

I'll be mooring at a marina with power. I've never tried the shorepower on my boat, and I'm a little unclear as to when I hit the breakers (when I plug in?) or exactly how the shorepower works; although the surveyor told me it worked when I bought it.

1) Shore Power Cord

2) Test Shore Power Cord
-> The Absolute Easiest thing to do is shut off all breakers including the main before plugging in. Then once you've plugged in, turn on your main(s), then the breakers you specifically need. Shut off all breakers, then shut of Main(s) before unplugging shore power.

3) Dock lines (2 bow; 2 stern, 4 springs, to be safe if you don't know what the docks are like).

4) Your Wallet

It sounds like you're in a slip at a marina, so there's really not much you need to worry about.