Chapter 1. Keep it simple

Examples:

1. Batteries

2. Charging System

3. Dan Buoy

4. Gas System

Self-maintenance in remote areas: “Will THIS break and can I fix it?"

Chapter 2. Sail Plan for short-handed long range cruising:

“What sails should I take?"

Say no to the spinnaker

Cutter rigged, yankee and staysail - perfect

The MPS (multiple purpose sail), no

We should have had The Code 0

Chapter 3. Single-handed setup

Chapter 4. Safety - for short-handed long range cruising

MOB? forget it - just STAY ON THE BOAT!

By concentrating elsewhere:

1. Statistics of MOB situations

2. No-one on deck unless the other crew present

3. Clipped on always

4. Length of tether issues

5. Jacklines and UV issues

6. Harnesses and wear

7. Life jackets

The danger of the parachute flare

Diving for safety: Powerdive or scuba

Chapter 5. Provisioning and stowage

Bleach the vegetables

Provisioning:

• Wrap citrus in alfoil

• Longest lasting pumpkin, cabbage, chinese lettuce (in fridge)

• Turn unrefrigerated eggs every two days

• Mung beans and alfalfa

• Vegemince

• Cryovac machine

Stowage Plan and the shopping list

Chapter 6. Water issues

Water filters for taking water onboard

Water vs Fuel tanks

Everyone can afford a ‘Do It Yourself’ Watermaker

Salt water tap

Chapter 7 Planning and Navigation

• Seasons

• Charts - electonic vs paper, Bellinghams

• Cruising guides

• GPS - primary/spares, inaccuracy

• AIS

• Radar

• Autopilot/Fluxgate compass - affected by pitching, rolling and METAL

Radar overlaying the electronic chart gives comfort that the GPS is accurate

Route and timing planning using a spreadsheet

Yacht and crew identification sheet

Making your own log book

Websites:

www.noonsite.com , www.pangolin.co.nz (Yotreps)

and, of course, www.sail-world.com/cruising

Chapter 8. Communications

• Sailmail/Winlink

• Satphones - Iridium

• HF - don't go without it

• VHF - satphones do NOT replace radio

• Informal Nets

• Maritime Mobile Nets

Chapter 9. Anchoring

Length of chain, anchor weight, anchor alarm, anchor buddy

The new generation anchor:

• Spade, Rocna, Manson Supreme, Sarca, Sword, Bugel, Ultra

The ‘Med’ Hook

Chapter 10. Choosing a boat

• Plastic fantastics

• The keel - encapsulated

• The hull - osmosis

• The importance of a survey

• Length

• Rig - masthead or fractional

What not to forget:

• redundancy

• Checking the rigging

• plugs for hull outlets

• Fire preparation

• Grab bag

• First Aid Kit - antibiotics

• Holding tank issues

• The Garden Light

• Fuel filter at deck level

• Knowing how to service the engine

Creature comforts:

• Diesel heater

• Microwave

• Deep freeze

• Dodger

• Swim platform

• Davits

• The folding bikes