Gypsy Cruising

Boat preparation

Preparations for a five month cruise are amazingly demanding, and can appear like an impenetrable maze if you’re just starting out in your cruise planning.  I’ve been fortunate to have sailed several long passages as crew on other boats (including two to the Barrier Reef) and have used those experiences as guides for my own planning.  In the time between now and my departure (next May) I thought it would be interesting and valuable to record what changes I’ve made to Gypsy Princess specifically to prepare her for the cruise.

When I bought the boat it was already in excellent condition.  She was perfectly able to host a family of four for over a week in pretty generous luxury.  Yet when in 2017 I settled on a departure date over two years away I very quickly began to compile a list of purchases and upgrades that I thought were necessary to make the cruise safe, practical and comfortable.  As a taste, I’ll summarise the basic jobs here, and cover the more significant items in future posts:

Major upgrades

•         Add additional solar panels and related equipment
•         Install auto pilot
•         Design and build dodger and cockpit covering
•         Install inverter (I initially wasn’t sure about this item)
•         Purchase new anchor and anchor chain
•         Purchase new RIB dinghy (and ground tackle)
•         Add retractable lazy jacks
•         Install AIS system

Minor upgrades

•         Install boom preventer lines
•         Install deck wash pump
•         Purchase new BBQ
•         Add second LPG gas tank
•         Install salt water pump to galley sink
•         Design, build and install additional fresh water tank
•         Add extra shelving in various lockers and cupboards
•         Make up a new anchor snubber system
•         Purchase sock for the symmetrical spinnaker
•         Add extra cigarette lighter and USB sockets
•         Install new stereo and TV units
•         Upgrade chartplotter software
•         Extend navigation system network throughout boat
•         Install anchor winch remote control in cockpit

New bits and pieces

•         Purchase jerry cans for extra diesel fuel
•         Purchase drone for taking great pictures and videos
•         Purchase tablet with GPS
•         Purchase new laptop PC
•         Purchase handheld VHF radio with GPS
•         Purchase satellite phone
•         Purchase GoPro camera
•         Purchase crew shirts
•         Purchase charts covering the entire cruise area
•         Purchase pilot and other cruising guide books
•         Acquire a general boating license
•         Purchase fishing gear
•         Purchase a broad range of spare parts

System Checks

•         Check LPG gas system
•         Check and replace rigging as necessary
•         Check all sails
•         Do pre-cruise engine service 
•         Service anchor winch
•         Discuss contents of medical kit with my GP
•         Review all safety equipment 

And finally,

•         Start a blog.

A pretty long list, and this doesn’t cover all of the general maintenance jobs that come up all the time when you own a boat.

A couple of things didn’t make the list:

•         A water maker
•         A liferaft
•         A cruising spinnaker/gennaker.

Stay tuned for details on these preparations.