Talking About Adventure In Small Boats
ShakyRudder
Member
Wondering if any of the veterans have some useful tips on equipment they could not live without during challenges. Even if it was a $2 can opener what gadget did you treasure the most during your challenges and why? I am trying to put together a list of equipment I want to have for EC or UM 2016 besides all the required stuff. Any input would be appreciated as I try to weed out the dust collectors and dead weight.
Thanks
ShakyRudder
Member
I have not figured out which boat I will use as of yet. Either a Hobie AI or Hobie 18. If it is the H18 weight is less of an issue. The bean bag chair sounds really nice but not sure the boom would clear my head. However that may be useful if I get tired a quick tack would wake me right up. I like the cooler idea. Dry bags can be a pain to get into while sailing depending on conditions.
BeastOarman
Member
Like the good song says, "You can't always bring what you want"
Or something like that. My first EC, I had read about so many good ideas in the magazine section etc that I adopted almost all of them. I had some 3 types of firesstarters, from coton balls & vaseline to a tube of fire ribbon. At least 5 flashlights - large for a spotlight in the boat, headlamp, small for around camp, lantern for in the tent, plus a spare. And the list goes on. Point is, be careful on the "want", you can easily bring too much. KiwiBird's packing list has always brought me back to earth. I don't pack the same things, but if I have something different I certainly question it.
But the beanbag has always sounded good, wish I could figure out how to attach it to my sliding seat ; )
Ridgerunner
Member
My first time I carried WAY too much. You do need enough food for the whole shebang, but you only need enoug water to the next checkpoint. I do carry two warm caps (fleece) and several headlamps (twice I have had a sail come across in a gybe and take off my headlamp and hat. Think backpacking.
The cooler I mentioned is a small (6 pack +).
TIE EVERYTHING IN. One common problem with several of the flips in EC 2015 was gear going everywhere.
BeastOarman
Member
I try to keep all my drybags tied together. I tie/clip the terminal end of a length of line to my inner-most drybag, and then thread each successive bag onto the line through the loop formed when clipping the bag closed. I clip the final bag with a caribiner tied to the free end of the line. This ensures I will not lose any (unless I lose all, not so likely out of a hatch), plus makes it easy to yank out that last bag which was pushed way into the bow/stern. Of course you can attach the line to your vessel if that seems better for you. The line has enough slack that I can reach a bag in the middle and unclip it easily. Gear other than drybags, such as my food bin or even sinking items, can be threaded with that same line. Unless I clip on an anchor, I am confident all will float and provide yet another safety platform in the event of disaster. So simple I would not even bring it up, but seems like a lot of bags have been floating away recently.
CleanSlate
Member
it takes a few challenges to get your equipment list (other than required) paired down to what you actually need. For example, I took way too much food on the 2013 EC. I do find it reassuring to take a back-up gps and back-up light to use for night sailing if my primary one goes bad. I take my boat repair kit seriously (and have used it on both challenges and derbies). I do like to take slong a waterproof video camera and a lithium battery to re-charge my smart-phone. I once took a camp chair for relaxing on shore but that no longer makes the cut. I have also taken along a back-up VHS, solar panels, and a back-up lithium battery (besides the other one) but all this electronics start to add up so I leave these particular back-ups behind. For the longer challenges, try to bring a variety of things to eat. Eating the same thing all the time will get old.
Santiago
Member
My first EC, I was fixated on acquiring gear. Which is totally normal. My thinking went something like this: "Hey, this is cool. Maybe I can use it during the EC." Now, after carrying way too much crap, the question I ask (beyond the required items) is "Will I die if I don't take this with me?"
I'm a kayaker, so I don't have unlimited space. But I no longer feel the need to fill my boat to maximum capacity. That's been a recent topic of discussion, hasn't it? When I started seeing guys on SUPs do the EC, I was impressed. Hey could survive a week with a few small drybags strapped near their feet. It occured to me that if I learned how to pack like them, paddling 300 miles in a much lighter boat might be a little easier on my body. I'm still working on it, trying to get my gear weight down. It's definitely a learning process.
ShakyRudder
Member
I realize there is a big learning curve when it comes to wants and needs. I have taken shorter trips 60 miles or less over several days or just overnight between the Keys and Flamingo but still do not have it all figured out. I'am planning shakedown cruises this summer in whatever conditions the weather brings. Capsize and recovery with a boat loaded and no gear loss is what I want to master before entering any event. Getting the load correct is a big part of that. I really appricate and respect the information and your opinions. Thanks
Regarding coolers...
I use one of these in my SeaWind:
It is an Igloo 24-Can Maxcold "Workman" model.
It fits nicely between by legs right in front of my seat so it provides easy access to my food. I don't actually use it as a cooler (no ice) just as a convenient place to put my food.
My other favorite food storage bin is a "Vittles Vault"
I use the "15 pound" version which is 12" x 12" x 10".
For the EC, I use both, but for shorter trips I use one or the other.
PrivateHam
Member
I like the bean bag idea for the bigger boats but I went with one of these and am very happy with it. It might work well on the Hobie 18 ShakyRudder was talking about. It lays flat too if you want it out of the way. There is a strap on it so you can tether it to your tramp.
https://www.sportaseat.com/sport-a-seat
It's very comfortable and durable. I believe west marine offers a cheaper knock off version as well.
ShakyRudder
Member
Really like the Sport A Seat PrivateHam. The AI lacks upper back support so that may be a solution. Have to pull out the scale and see if it weighs less than my current seating configuration. The food storage solutions are also nice. I have never seen the vittles vault before that is neat.
MarlinBrando wrote:
Macatawa, you haven't tested the vittles vault to any depths have you? And if so, when did it start to leak?
No, I have not depth tested it. However, the plastic is not very thick so I don't think it could handle a lot of water pressure.
The other bonus of the Vittles Vault is that it makes a nice seat in camp :)
But... back to wanted equipement... an item I have used on nearly every WaterTribe event I've done is a Thermarest Z-rest (short length). Not only is it a good, light ground pad for sleeping on, but I've used it as camp seat, back rest in my boat, fender between boat and oyster covered chickee posts, etc... Anytime you can multiple uses out of a single item it is a sure winner.
http://www.rei.com/product/829826/therm-a-rest-z-lite-sol-sleeping-pad
MarlinBrando
Member
This would fall under wanted equipment for those willing to carry it. A hand drill
Some spare hardware and a tube of sealent. I have only used it once to attach a broken rudder mount, but options where limited that day and considering the waves and wind I was not ready to use the oar as a rudder
Swoody126
Member
not having seen a VITTLES VAULT before(please pardon a NOOB for butting in), my mind skipped directly to a similar lid that is designed for the infamous pickle bucket
lo n behold, they come from the same company GAMMA
here are links to a couple common sources w/ several options, for comparasons
sw
ShakyRudder
Member
I was thinking of a ways to secure the vittles vault to the boat. I like the duct tape they used on that hobie but I like to save that for emergency situations like a hole in the hull or holding the boat together. First I was thinking eye bolts throught the container with cordage but then also thought what is that thing made of? It lacks some sort of tabs or holes to properly attach it to the boat.
I can not seem to find out what the Vittles Vault is made out of online anywhere. If like most plastics its made of HDPE just like a kayak welding it in place would be simple. Maybe welding some tabs to the side will make it better. I ordered one so hopefully it will have a stamp of some sort on the bottom to indicate what type of plastic it is. Sorry for the crazy rant. I guess dog food containers are exciting.
Ridgerunner
Member
On many river and Everglades camping trips I have used 5 gallon plastic spackle buckets with screw-on tops from US Plastic. They fit behind the seat on my Kruger Sea Wind, keep water from pooling on the cover, and make a great table or seat in camp. They have never leaked and are very sturdy.
Sirtackalot
Member
Have to have the bivy bag. So much quicker than setting up the required tent. I have gone through several flashlights. I finally bought a good one that is small and attaches right to my life jacket. Takes 2 or 3 AAA batterys so the weight is less on spares. A dry suit ( paddeling ) top and dry pants. Both are so much easier than a dry suit even though I take a dry suit also. Being able to add or take off clothes helps when you are on teh move and away from shore.
JoeVanGeaux
Member
Of possible interest to all (found on a tech and gizmo sciencey guy on a Youtube site, linked below) is a discussion of the adhesives used for more trickier applications. Some I never heard of and I may make good use of before going on the water (for example, to mount some of those Vittles Vaults ??). One even glues to polyethylene milk jugs - which I know personally can be a real challenge. The discussion of the adhesives begins at aobut 58 seconds in, so go straight there and save time - ADD is a terrible thing (to waste)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBQp04glQqc
If anyone has one of those Vittles Vaults, perhaps, they can post the recycling code found on the bottom so the type of plastic can be identified to help finding the best adhesive for mounting other metal or plastic eyes for additional mounting options(?).
I just got a Spring catalog from West Marine (why my wife doesn't know to through those out instead of just giving them to me is still a mystery!). In this one is a bean bag chair that is probably what everyone on this forum keeps mentioning. Until now, I thought you guys were talking about one of those humongous blobbish bags of beads - this one is actually shaped much more slender and utilitatrian. Is there a way some of you used those to double as hull floatation?
- - Here comes the part where I click to post and instantly discover some horrific spelling or grammar error!! - -
Cwolfe
Member
Each year I try to get a little leaner and a little lighter. Each year I am trying to get rid of stuff that I hauled 300 miles without significant benefit.
That being said, in 2014 EC after 3 days of solid paddling I began to get a little distracted/focused on an itch that could not be reached. After long hours of paddling, mobility in all range of motion other than paddling becomes quite limited. There was no scratching that itch. I tried with anything in reach. My PLB knife came closest to satisfying the overwhelming desire to scratch.
Weight be damned. All future ECs, I will be carrying a teloscoping back scratcher readily available on my PLB... right next to my whistle and PLB.
Cwolfe
You must log in to post.
Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin
