John, I cruise a few times each year, but not not enough to justify a wet cell system. I do everything with dry cells. This year's addition was a set of LED nav lights. I bought them from a hunting/fishing outfit called Cabela's, for about $60, since I didn't see anything similar in the marine stores. Besides the nav lights, I have battery powered: GPS handheld VHF (rechargeable, with dry cell back up) CD player with speakers various lights - florescent camping lights are great for the cabin depth finder (Pirhana 1 fish finder) works great, not that I really need it in an M15 a headlight for deck work when you need 2 hands - and it always points where you are looking and a solar/crank-powered radio Except for 1 or 2 flashlights (D's), the headlight (AAA's) and the radio, all take AA cells. I now have 8 rechargeable AA cells, and could use more! Here is what works for me, in the safety and comfort categories. I use about 1 gallon of water/day, and can store enough for more than a week under the forward berth, keeping the weight forward. I am comfortable with only 1 gallon of gas for my Honda 2. With the litre in the tank I can run about 7-8 hours, or about 30 miles. And the gallon fits in my shallow cockpit locker. Some store gas in quart size motor oil bottles for easy pouring and storage. For rough weather/cold water, I have an inflatable life vest with harness, tether and an attachment point under the bridge deck, next to the centerboard pennant. I have a 4.4 lb Horizon Claw with chain plus 125' of 1/4" nylon that shares the cockpit locker with the fuel can. My storm anchor is an 11 lb Claw with 125' of 3/8" nylon and a few feet of chain. Overkill for the 15. It lives under the port berth with my dock lines. My 6' X 7' nylon boom tent is almost a necessity for both hot and wet weather. A patch of mosquito netting for use on the main hatch, when necessary. A warm sleeping bag. That's the important stuff that comes to mind. If there is anything I missed, I'm sure others will fill in the gaps. Well, not everything. The second reef in the main and storm jib may be the most important safety items. Have fun! Bill Riker wriker@mindspring.com 412-341-7198 -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com]On Behalf Of Jon Martin Sent: November 25, 2003 8:09 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Cruising equipment ideas Hi All - I am hoping to participate in the week long San Juan cruise next summer in my M15. I've never done this before, and am thinking it would be a good way to get started with a group. I am wondering about specific equipment that one should have, and other equipment that would be nice to have - such as anchor/rode recomendations, lighting (I don't have a battery and would rather not get one), water and fuel amounts, other safety equiopment, etc. I have a hand held VHF radio and a compass - what else should I be thinking of to get ready? My plan is to have everything ready by April or so, and spend a few nights on the Columbia River to get familiar with anchoring/sleeping etc. Thanks, Jon Martin in Walla Walla _________________________________________________________________ Has one of the new viruses infected your computer? Find out with a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats