LED lights:
flashlights that use standard-size batteries,
12VDC fixtures or anything else that uses LEDs instead of incandescent
or halogen bulbs. LEDs are very energy efficient! 12VDC
"marine" fluorescent fixtures are great too, but I've already
burned-out 2 "RV" type fixtures ... the humidity kills 'em.
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Muslin bedding
(sheets etc.) but NOT Percale or Egyptian
Cotton. In humid environments the higher thread-count "luxury"
fabrics are clammy and do not breath or dry-out well. "Desert
Southwest" or "Tropical" prints are hard to find but seen occasionally
at bargain stores. SEDATION
4 has 2 ordinary-thickness Queen size beds but the comforters
are Twin/Full (80" x 80") size NOT Queen (no springs, hence, no drape)
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"Nesting" set of low-profile tupperware-style storage
containers (one-fits-inside-another) to conserve storage space
when not
in-use.
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"Nesting" set of stainless
cookware with detachable
handles. Aluminum will corrode rapidly!
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Binoculars:
7x50mm or 8x35mm but NOT 10x or variable (zoom)
magnification. Waterproof would be awesome and floating would be
nirvana. My good pair was stolen :( There are never enough
binoculars aboard when the wildlife is around.
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Kid-sized PFDs
(life jackets) for those rare visits by folks
with children who aren't already wearing these essential safety items.
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Closed-cell foam padding
(like neoprene wet-suit material)
in any thickness from 1/8" to 4". This is THE most useful
substrate for interior finishing available since it won't absorb
moisture or mildew. It is heavier than open-cell "foam rubber"
padding and much more expen$ive, but deals on random quantities
frequently pop-up. It is often used as packaging material for
big-ticket items like computers, x-ray machines etc.
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12VDC-to-110VAC Inverter(s).
The penultimate is a
Xantrex 3.0 kW combination battery charger/inverter but the tiny
"laptop" size units work great for small power needs. 70 Watt
through 800 Watt units frequently pop-up at discount stores.
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Weather Station
with wind speed/direction and recording
(logging) of peak gusts would have been useful during the
hurricanes. Temperature, humidity and barometric pressure logging
would be too cool. A rain gauge is overkill.
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Tinned copper wire. "Boat Cable" is the best with 2
or
more conductors sheathed in a PVC jacket. Bare copper wire
corrodes
rapidly in salt-water environments so only tinned copper can be
used.
16AWG is the smallest allowable per ABYC Standards. Much aircraft
surplus wire is tinned and has Teflon insulation! |
US Flags
wear-out incredibly fast in Florida! The
constant wind, humidity salty air and extreme sunshine degrades fabrics
rapidly. My favorite 100% Cotton flags "sound" the best and have
a more graceful luff, but the dyes fade-out quickly on cotton. (I still
buy at least 1 per-year for the summer holidays.) Nylon flags hold
their colors longer but still only last 3-4 months at best. Sewn
is nicer than printed but much more expensive. SEDATION 4 flies 36" to 48"
flags and the Dinghy flies a 12" flag or
Yacht Ensign. Watch for close-out sales.
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Air Horns set a
yacht apart from an ordinary boat. Big
"Kenworth size" stainless or chromed-brass horns would be
nice. Some used Kahlenbergs would rock!
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"The New American
Practical Navigator" (aka
Bowditch) The 1966 corrected printing of the 1962 edition is also
known as the "Blue Bowditch". This one-volume version is a most
esteemed
collectable! Any edition would be nice.
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Digital Stopwatch:
lighted "simple" style with few buttons. These wear-out rapidly
onboard, due to moisture, but are essential to navigation. A
waterproof analog model would probably last longer.
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A bell is also
required by the Coast Guard
regulations. Bigger is better! Chromed brass lasts much
longer than naked brass. I wonder if bells come in stainless?
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These 24" floor squeegees from Home Depot keep rusting
out! Doesn't someone make a stainless
or plastic floor squeegee?
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