Marine Nuts

As a crew who will be sailing the boat offshore, you need to be well prepared with all the gears. For convenient survival onboard, you need to have the food and beverage sorted well in advance. If not it can lead to a disastrous trip.

When it comes to food, all the provisioning needs to be done in advance. Last-minute settlements can become very hectic. Load enough raw material, spices, herbs and condiments for your trip. Make a list of the groceries needed beforehand so that you can purchase all of it.

To know more about outdoor food storage like coolers, thermal bags, cooling bins, etc., visit Foodplusice.

Apart from the basics make sure you have the following gears onboard:

For Galley:

• Ice cubes and blocks
• Drain plugs for coolers
• Matchbox for stove
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Disposable dishes
• Plastic glasses
• Corkscrew
• Cooking utensils
  • Spoon
  • Spatulas
  • Wooden spoons
  • Teflon-safe utensils
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Ladle
• Utensils for eating
• Chopping board
• Small knife
• Large kitchen knife
• Extra containers and bags
• Aluminum foil
• Dish towels
• Trash bags
• Mittens for pots
• Pot holders
• Paper napkins
• Paper towels
• Soap sponge for dishes
• Scrubbies
• Hot cups
• Cold cups
• insulated container for beverages
• Pitches
• Camp cookware
• Saucepan
• Frying Pan
• Large cooking pot
• Sink drain plug
• Colander
• Extra cookpot

Supplies for Cooking:

• Cooking oil
• Butter
• Salt
• Pepper
• Biodegradable soap
• Charcoal
• Lighter fluid

Food and Beverage:

• A detailed menu plan for each meal so that you can plan the essentials
• Vitamins and supplements for a long journey
• Staple foods
  • Eggs
  • Onions
  • Canned milk
  • Mushrooms
  • Potatoes
  • Mayonnaise
  • Peanut butter
  • Bread
  • Mustard
• Snacks
  • Pickles
  • Olives
  • Chips
  • Cookies
• Drinks
  • Water
  • Milk
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Hot Chocolate
  • Coke
  • Diet Coke
  • Hot Cider
  • Ginger Ale
  • Smoothies
  • Juices
  • Sodas
  • Beer
  • Red Wine
  • White Wine

These are the basic essentials you must have on board when traveling. Any other essential depending on the needs and preferences of your passengers should also be taken care of. All of this must be in sufficient quantity to meet the requirements of each person on board.

Apart from the food and beverage gear you also need to pack these things properly:

• Clothes: Depending on the weather along the route, keep enough clothing to be safe from extreme heat and cold. A bathing suit and casual clothing are also needed. Since you might not be able to come back to the shore for sometime pack wisely. Any other water gear that you find necessary also needs to be packed.
• Passports: If you are sailing across a country then the passport is a must-have.
• Entertainment options: Keep music systems, board games,  and anything that your team finds entertaining onboard.

A boat that is equipped with all the necessary maintenance supplies at all times is a perfect ride. Routine maintenance and repairs are essential for a boat and the right tools are essential for it. We recommend these essential supplies to have on board before you exit the dock.

• Battery terminal puller: A battery can pop a multitude issues while sailing. To save a lot of stress at such times a battery terminal puller can help you solve the issue within minutes. You can also use it on some windshield wipers. It can cost you $8 to $20.
• Jumper cables: Never underestimate the worth of a pair of jumper cables. It can boost your low or dead generator battery from the house or mains. An 8 gauge jumper is the bare minimum that you should have in your stash of about 20 feet length. It can cost you $50 to $75.
• Crimpers and Strippers: Any electrical repair needs crimpers and strippers. Buy the crimpers that are strong and have a wide bite. A good quality one will cost you about $50 to $74 for both.
• Cutter: A smart tool to have on board, the cutter can help you cut through a rubber hose, vinyl, or a rigid PVC easily. It also comes handy when you have a hard-to-reach repair. It is also safer than a knife and easier than hacksaw.
• Moisture Meter: A deck or window can be prone to water leaks. It is difficult to track the water path and checking the damage. A moisture meter can help you read the moisture easily. You may need to spend some time with this equipment to understand its working. Also we suggest you go for a pinless model that does not probe the damaged surface further. It can cost you $40 to $60.
• Magnetic: Flexible Claw retrieval set: This set consists of a mirror and multiple claws to retrieve tools or other things that may have accidentally fallen into deeper and darker corners. Without these tools, it may become difficult to even locate the fallen object. This set will cost you anywhere between $3 and $20.
• Thread Lockers: A boat always has a nut or screw that will stay loose and keep vibrating. You may need a thread locker to keep it back in place. They can be found easily in any store. If you don’t have this you can ask a woman on board to hand over nail polish and it will do the trick.

If you own a boat you will know the thrill and excitement that comes with it. At first, it seems like a way to enjoy and live an adventurous life, until you realize how much effort you need to put in to make boating a wonderful experience.

One of the last things on your priority list would be the electronic devices you need on the boat. Without the basic devices boating is unsafe and unpleasant. These devices can make boating stress-free and life-changing.

Read on to find out the 3 most important electronic devices for boating.

1. Alarm system: To enjoy a comfortable and peaceful stay on the boat, security is a priority. You can get restless if you are not sure what will happen during an unpredicted event. An updated alarm system should be at the top of your list as soon as you own a boat. The latest technology ensures you sleep comfortably on the boat. The latest alarm systems are linked to the phone and come with its own mobile app. As soon as there is anything wrong with the vessel, you will be notified immediately of the issue. Choose the alarm system that offers support and service before and after the purchase.

2. Night vision: Boating is a way of peaceful tranquillity in life, which is why many boaters prefer to take their boats out at night. No other person around for as far as you can see can be very calming and serene. If this excites you and you plan on boating during the night or in areas where the lighting is low, then night visions are a must. You can choose the night vision goggles but bow-mounted cameras are much better. They can prevent you from any kind of danger or hazard during the night.

3. Autopilot systems: Boating is exhilarating but it can get tiring if you are in the water for a long time. Sometimes you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy the view around. With an autopilot system installed on the boat, the captain can leave all the hard work on the boat. The system lets the boat move on the pre-planned route without the need for any assistance.

There are other essential electronic devices that you can install on your boat like chart plotters, AIS, Fishfinders, Radar, VHF Radio, EPIRBs, PLBs, and MFDs. The list of marine electronics is endless but install the basic devices and enjoy boating.

Sailing in a boat is impossible without a vital instrument and that is a compass. Since it is one of the essentials on a boat, there are a variety of compasses available in the market at all times. With new technology and different mounting systems, the choices are overwhelming. You need one that suits your needs and budget. We have picked 3 top models for you that you can choose for your boat.

1. Ritchie HF-473 Helmsman: This flush mount compass is a favorite for a lot of reasons. Firstly, it has a CombiDial which is a dual reading card designed for clear visibility and readout. The dial measures 3 ¾” which lets you read clearly even during lower light conditions. A 12-volt built-in green illumination display lets you take the compass reading even at night. The quality of the compass is the best just like other Ritchie products. The only drawback of this compass is the size. It may not be suitable for small boats with less space.
2. Garmin Silva 85E Sailing Compass: If you want a compass that fits your boat without too much disturbance then the Garmin Silva 85E is your option. This compass comes with a CombiDial but on a flat bottom. This means when you are fixing it on the boat it will not need you to drill any holes. The flat bottom also provides magnified readings. The compass has a card style that works well even during high speed and on rough water conditions. It also has an in-built backlight illumination for clear readings in the dark. It comes with a memory ring for maintaining the course onboard. The drawback of this model is that the build quality is not up to the mark.
3. Ritchie Navigation Explorer Compass: The b-51 Explorer for Ritchie is the best bracket-mount compass due to its extensive list of features. The Navigation Explorer comes with a sapphire jewel and a steel pivot dial. The compass is highly sensitive and has a built-in compensator for adjusting any deviation easily. To offer an easy line of sight this compass has a direct read dial. It is a popular choice among small boat owners due to its versatility. It comes with a 12-volt night light for easy viewing at night. This can easily be fixed on any surface of your choice. The only drawback a few users have reported about this is that the backlight isn’t bright enough at night.