This list is for all those trailer sailors who got to the launch ramp only to find that they had left the rudder at home. The list is intended to be used as a guide to help jog your memory when preparing for that weekend or extended cruise. Please always refer to Federal, State, and Local requirements when outfitting your boat.
Boat Gear
- Boat’s Battery
- Extra Outboard Motor Fuel
- Masthead Wind Indicator
- Outboard Motor
- Outboard Motor Oil
- Outboard Motor Tank
- Outboard Motor Tank Hose
- Pop Top Lock
- Rudder
- Tiller Extension
- Tiller w/bolt and wing nut
Sail Handling
- Battens and spares
- Boom
- Boom Vang
- Boomkicker
- Halyards (Jib, Main, Spinnaker)
- Headsail(s) and Sheets
- Mainsail and Mainsheet
- Reef Lines
- Rigging Tape
- Rip Stop Sail Tape
- Sail Cover(s)
- Sail Repair Kit
- Spinnaker and Sheets
- Topping Lift
- Whisker Pole
- Winch Handle(s)
Mooring Gear
- Anchor buoy
- Anchor(s), chain and line(s)
- Boat Hook
- Dock Lines (bow, stern, spring, spares)
- Fenders
- Heaving Line
Safety Equipment
- Air Horn
- Air Horn Refill
- Anchor Light
- Bell
- Bilge Pump
- Boarding Ladder
- Emergency Signal Flag
- Fire Extinguisher
- Flare Kit
- Flashlight (waterproof)
- Flashlight Batteries
- Knife
- Lifejackets (PFD)
- Man Overboard Gear
- Navigation Lights
- Radar Reflector
- Sea Anchor
- Throwing ring or cushion
- Whistler for each PFD
First Aid Supplies
- Adhesive tape
- Antacids
- Antibiotic ointment (i.e. Neosporin, Polysporin)
- Anti-Diarrheal (Imodium A-D, Kaopectate, Lomotil)
- Antiseptics
- Aspirin or Ibuprofen
- Bandages-assorted including butterfly closures, roll of gauze, sterile gauze pads, Ace bandages
- Band-Aids
- Burn ointment
- Dramamine or Marezine
- First Aid book
- Ice bag
- Scissors, tweezers, needles, safety pins
- Sling
- Zinc Oxide
Documents
- Address Book and Stamps
- Boat Registration
- Proof of citizenship for everyone aboard
- Radio Operator's License
- Radio Station License
- Trailer Registration
Navigation Equipment
- Binoculars
- Calculator
- Cellular Phone
- Cellular Phone DC Recharger
- Charts (waterproof if possible)
- Compass
- Cruising Guide of the Area
- Cruising Log
- Current Tables
- Depth Sounder
- Dividers
- GPS
- Hand Bearing Compass
- Lead Line
- Parallel Rulers
- Pencil & Paper
- Protractor
- Tide Tables
- VHF Radio
- Wind Meter
Miscellaneous Equipment
- 20 and 30 Amp Adapters
- Battery Charger
- Beach Umbrella
- Bungees / Shock Cord (bring lots)
- Chairs
- Citronella Candles
- Cockpit Light
- Extension Cord (50’)
- Flag, Canadian
- Flag, U.S.
- Hatch Screens
- Hatchway Cover
- Heater
- Plastic Tarp (convenient boom tent)
- Pop Top Cover
- Porta Potti
- Porti Potti Chemicals
- Sun Awning
- Table
- Water Hose
- Water Hose Nose
Tools
- Feeler Gage
- Knife
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Socket Set
- Spark Plug Wrench
- Wire Cutters
- Wrenches
Spare Parts & Repair Items
- Assorted Screws and Bolts
- Batteries
- Boat Caulk
- Boat Epoxy
- Cotter Pins
- Cotter Rings
- Duct Tape
- Fuses
- Keel Cable
- Light Bulbs (cabin)
- Light Bulbs (navigation)
- Mast Step Bolt and Wing Nut
- Shackles
- Shear Pins
- Spark Plugs
- Starter Rope
- Super Glue
- Tiller Bolt and Wing Nut
- Trailer Bulbs
- Turnbuckle T-bolts
- Turnbuckles
- Vinyl Tape
- WD-40
Boat Cleaning Supplies
- Boat Mop
- Boat Sponges
- Biodegradable Boat Soap
- Bucket
- Cleaning Rags
- Fiberglass Cleaner/Wax
- Scrub Brush
- Soft Scrub
- Spray Cleaner
- Chamois (removes morning dew)
Personal Supplies
- Beach Towel
- Chapstick w/Sun Block
- Coins for the Showers
- Comb and Brush
- Hair Dryer
- Hand Lotion
- Insect Repellant
- Liquid Hand Soap
- Mirror
- Personal Care Items
- Prescription Medicines
- Shaving Supplies
- Shower Cap
- Sunscreen
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Towels
- Washcloths
Clothing
Do Not Underestimate the Weather. A boat can be a very cold, wet place, even in summer in some locations. Dress in layers.
- Boots
- Extra Deck Shoes
- Flip-Flops for the Shower
- Foul Weather Gear
- Heavy Coat
- Jacket/Windbreaker
- Knit Gloves and Hat
- Sailing Gloves
- Shore Clothes
- Sun Hats/Visors
- Sunglasses (2 pair)
- Sweatshirt
- Swim Suit
- Thermal Underwear
- Umbrella
Sleeping Gear
- Bed Boards and Cushions
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Sheets
- Sleeping Bags
Galley
Always take advantage of what’s available where you’re at, instead of being surprised when the next destination lacks ice, water, meat, or vegetables.Pre-cruise menu planning is a must if your itinerary doesn’t place you near a grocery store every other day. When stowing your food, consider how long it will keep, if it will spill, break, dry out, or absorb moisture. An organized, well-stocked galley will be more enjoyable for everyone aboard.
- Aluminum foil
- Assorted Plastic Containers
- Barbecue Grill and Fuel
- Can and Bottle Opener
- Cloths Pins (spring type, bring lots)
- Coffee/Tea Pot
- Coins for Laundry
- Condiments
- Cook Stove and Fuel
- Cooking Gas Cylinder Storage Bag
- Corkscrew
- Cups and Glasses
- Cutting Board
- Dish Soap and Dishpan
- Dishtowels
- Eating Utensils
- Facial Tissues
- Funnel and Strainer
- Garbage Bags
- Hot Pads
- Ice Chest(s)
- Ice Pick
- Instant Coffee, Tea, Soup, etc.
- Kitchen Knife
- Laundry Bag and Soap
- Matches and/or a Lighter
- Moist Towelettes
- Paper Towels
- Paring Knife
- Plates and Bowls
- Pots and Pans
- Salt & Pepper
- Scissors
- Scouring Pads
- Sewing Kit
- Spatula, Tongs, etc.
- Sponge
- Table Cloth
- Thermos
- Toilet Paper
- Toothpicks
- Whiskbroom
- Zip Lock Bags (quart & gallon)
Recreational Equipment
- Books, Magazines
- Camera, Film
- Canteen
- Cards, Games, etc.
- Crab Pot
- Dinghy, Oars, Pump
- Fishing Tackle, License
- Hiking Boots
- Kite and String
- Knapsack
- Music
- Portable Radio/Tape/CD
- Shovel for digging clams
- Snorkel, Fins, Mask
- Swim Goggles
Download the Cruising Checklist here:
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