Bahamas Gathering 2012 - Updated '08 Thread

[Rainmaker]

I always bring (at a minimum)

spare prop (just a cheap aluminum one)

Spare thrust washer, nut, cotter pin... sucks when you drop these.

set of plugs

fuel filter and water seperator

brass fuel line fitting so I can remove my water seperator

full compliment of sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdriver

spare switches and breaker

Some wire and crimps

EPIRB

handheld GPS to backup the dash unit

Valid Boat US membership

Sat Phone (not great but if needed I can get a call out once in a while)

enough food and water to stay on boat for a couple of days

Spare beer/spirits

Normally, I have a buddy who is mechanically inclined on my boat but when I do not he is a phone call away for some help. There are some things I won't touch on the water because it may cause more harm than good. The main thing is to have a few boats with you. There is safety in numbers. None of us want to sink, but if you do it sure is nice to have someone with you to pluck you out of the sea.

As far as the weather goes, you just have to be smart and allow a little flexibility. Early morning is the answer to most potential storms. Summertime normally has calm seas however the afternoons bring thunderstorms at times. The idea is to be prepared and plan around it. I have been stuck in some pretty nasty weather because I was fishing the banks on day trips and stayed too long. I have not had any weather issues in the past 10 years on multiple crossings each year.