​

Bareboat Necessities Logo

​

https://bareboat-necessities.github.io

https://github.com/bareboat-necessities/my-bareboat

https://github.com/bareboat-necessities/my-bareboat/issues

https://bareboat-necessities.wixsite.com/my-bareboat

​

PDF version:

https://bareboat-necessities.github.io/my-bareboat/bareboat-equipment-checklist.pdf

​

This is the check list for a small sailboat (28-feet) and coastal cruising in warm weather.

1. US Coast Guard Requirements

  1. Personal Flotation Devices. One Type I, II, II, or V per person plus one Type IV throwable device. PFD’s must be CG Approved, wearable by the intended user and readily accessible. The Type IV throwable device must be located such that it is immediately available

  2. Fire Extinguishers. One B-II or two B-I. Non-expired.

  3. Visual Distress Signals on Coastal Waters. Minimum of three day-use and three night-use or three day/night combination pyrotechnic devices. Non-pyrotechnic substitutes: 1 orange flag (day-use) and 1 electric S-O-S signal light (night-use). Flares checked for expiration.

  4. Sound Producing Devices. Horn or whistle recommended to signal intentions or position. Under Rule 33 of the Navigation Rules, boats under 20m MUST have aboard a means of making an efficient sound.

  5. Navigation Lights. Working sidelights, stern light, masthead light, running light.

  6. Pollution Regulations. 5" X 8" Oil Discharge placard and 4" X 9" MARPOL Trash placards.

  7. For Gasoline Engines: Ventilation, Backflame Control. Backfire Flame Arrestors, CG regulated ventilation.

  8. Marine Sanitation Devices. Vessels with installed head facilities must have an operable CG-Certified Type I, II, or III Marine Sanitation Device (MSD). Any "Y" value for discharge overboard must be located in such a manner or affixed to prevent accidental discharge of untreated waste into water.

  9. Navigation Rules. Boaters should be familiar with the "Rules of the Road". It’s recommended to have navigation rules book on-board.

  10. Float plan forms.

2. Legal / Paperwork

  1. IDs, driver licenses and copies stored in dry places (in separate places)

  2. Vessel current registration

  3. Vessel insured for the area of sailing, liability coverage, insurance ID

  4. Towing services subscription (Ex: SeaTow, BoatUS)

  5. Medical insurance IDs for the crew

  6. Vaccination records, vaccinations for the travel area

  7. Proof of onward travel if travelling internationally

  8. For VHF with DSC vessel MMSI must be properly registered

  9. EPIRB properly registered

  10. Passports and copies if sailing internationally

  11. Sailor resumes, logs, boating certifications, memberships, and licenses

  12. SSB operator license

  13. Some areas require VHF operator license

  14. Credit cards (stored in separate places)

  15. Boating safety certificate

  16. US Coast Guard Courtesy Vessel Safety Check (recommended)

  17. CPR licenses

  18. Scuba licenses

  19. Ship’s Log / Maintenance Log

  20. Float plan forms https://newcontent.westmarine.com/content/documents/pdfs/WestAdvisor/USCG-Float-Plan.pdf

  21. Emergency contacts

  22. Parameters of the boat printed on a separate paper:

    • Make, Model, Year, Call Sign, MMSI, Name, Home Port, Hull ID

    • Length, Draft, Beam, Bridge Clearance, Displacement, Keel Weight, Mast / Boom Lengths

    • Tanks Capacity (Water / Fuel / Holding Tank)

    • Engine Make, Model, Year, Oil Type, Oil Capacity

    • Propeller Shaft Size, Blades Type, Transmission Parameters

    • Sails Parameters, Area

    • Rig Maker, Winches Models, Anchor Types

    • Bilge Pump Throughput Capacity

    • Dinghy Hull #

  23. Dinghy registration if it has an outboard motor

  24. Student ID cards

  25. Paper charts for the sailing area (updated)

  26. Tide / current charts (up-to-date)

  27. Navigation rules book

  28. Sail trim quick ref card

  29. Navigation rules quick ref card

  30. Quick ref card for weather forecasting

  31. Sailboat electric book

  32. Cards that can give you discounts

  33. Chart No. 1

  34. Nautical almanac

  35. Coast pilot book

  36. The Annapolis Book of Seamanship

  37. Knots quick ref

3. Safety

3.1. Good

  1. All US Coast Guard safety requirements, PFDs, fire safety, distress signaling, navigation signals (See Chapter 1)

  2. Hull (inspected properly)

  3. Seacocks / thru hulls checked, hoses checked, hoses double clamped

  4. Compliance with ABYC standards

  5. Deck leaks caulked

  6. No deck hazards

  7. Stuffing box checked for leaks

  8. At least two boat batteries (marine grade)

  9. Reliably working inboard diesel engine

  10. Reliably working steering system

  11. Solar panel and solar charger

  12. Rigging checked / inspected, tensioned properly

  13. Battery charger from shore power

  14. Shore power chord

  15. Fenders

  16. Dock Lines

  17. Fuses in proper places

  18. Spare fuses

  19. Spare bulbs for each navigation light

  20. Proper grounding wire of the boat

  21. Proper marine wiring (wire grades for amps, proper insulation, good connectors, no loose connections generating heat, no hanging open wires, etc)

  22. Sacrificial anodes installed in good shape

  23. Emergency tiller

  24. Built-in manual bilge pump and handle

  25. Automatic bilge pump with proper vented loop and anti-siphon valve

  26. Spare 12v bilge pump (easily deployable)

  27. Boat hook (telescoping floating)

  28. VHF with GPS and DSC (registered with MMSI for the vessel)

  29. GPS Chartplotter, NMEA sensors connected

  30. Binnacle mounted compass + handheld compass

  31. Paper charts of the sailing area, dividers, protractor, etc

  32. Radar reflector

  33. Tide/current tables

  34. Anchoring day shape ball

  35. Two anchors with rode and length marking (mount for securing anchor outside of locker or anchor roller)

  36. Coastal medical emergency kit

  37. Sunscreen (pick the brand which doesn’t stain boat gel coat)

  38. Bimini

  39. Marine binoculars (floating)

  40. Flashlights / spare batteries

  41. Wood plugs strategically placed in compartments with seacocks, know where all seacocks located, know where hammer is

  42. Hammer

  43. Signalling mirror

  44. Boom stop with proper rope (Ex: Capt Dan’s boom brake)

  45. Dinghy with oars, PFDs for the dinghy, dinghy bailer / scoop, dinghy foot pump, dock line / painter, floating flashlight. Make sure the dinghy doesn’t obstruct the stern light

  46. Dinghy davits (dinghy rings - in my case)

  47. Fire blankets

  48. Covid-19 masks

  49. Lightning strike detector

  50. Sailing gloves

  51. Sunglasses with lanyard

  52. Sunhat with lanyard

  53. Rain ponchos

  54. Two winch handles

  55. EPIRB (properly registered, know activation procedure)

  56. AIS integrated with chartplotter

  57. Jacklines + tether

  58. Portable water tanks

  59. Depth sounder

  60. Funnel, fuel strainer

  61. Spare engine oil (know how to check oil level)

  62. 4G/LTE internet router with on-board Wi-Fi and SIM card for the sailing area

  63. Anemometer / wind speed, direction sensors

  64. Barometer

  65. Boom tent

  66. Swim ladder

  67. Self-tailing winches

  68. Heaving line with a float

  69. Walkie-talkie for a dinghy-to-boat communication, anchoring communication

  70. Dinghy bailer

  71. Lifelines

  72. Handrails

  73. Loose nuts / bolts tightened

  74. Sharp rigging elements covered with rigging tape

  75. Spare halyards (installed and ready)

  76. Dry comfortable bunk with a fan and ways to secure yourself from falling

  77. Engine key with a float

  78. Companion way key with a float

  79. Spare foldable swim ladder (my Dingy Rings block the swim ladder when the dinghy is mounted)

  80. Couple nylon rail mountable cleats

  81. Child PFDs

  82. Spreader halyard for signals and flags

3.2. Better

  1. Search light

  2. Sextant

  3. Bow thrusters, joystick for control

  4. Water maker

  5. Rain water catcher

  6. Radar

  7. Means to periodically report your location via internet

  8. Autopilot

  9. Windlass, windlass battery, anchor roller

  10. Anchor chain, anchor bridle/snubber

  11. Whisker pole

  12. Bilge alarm

  13. MOB retrieval and recovery gear (Ex: MobMat)

  14. Marine ventilation plug (to close ventilation in rough weather)

  15. Lee cloth

  16. Storm shutters

  17. Carbon monoxide alarm

  18. Smoke detector

  19. Various gas alarm sensors

  20. Means to set up anchor alarm

  21. Lifeline netting

  22. Lightning strike arrester for the antenna

  23. Lazy jacks

  24. SSB radio

  25. Satellite phone (Ex: Iridium Go)

  26. Liferaft + ditch bag

  27. Sonar / fish Finder

  28. Inmarsat Fleet receiver

  29. NavTex receiver

  30. Means to receive weather fax

  31. Weather routing software

  32. PACTOR modem for messaging offshore

  33. Sea anchor, slowing drogue

  34. Dodger

  35. Wind generator

  36. Self-steering gear, wind vane

  37. Spare rudder / spare steering

  38. Gasoline electric generator

  39. Means to climb the mast (bosun chair, steps, etc)

  40. Anchoring gloves

  41. Clinometer

  42. Spreader deck lights

  43. Diver-down flag and buoy

  44. Dinghy outboard

  45. Pushpit outboard mount for dinghy outboard motor

  46. Android tablet with spare GPS navigation software and charts

  47. Bilge air blower

  48. Color night vision camera

3.3. Crew Drills / Instructions

  1. Sailboat parts / marine lingo

  2. MOB drills with the crew

  3. Captain overboard drills and instruction

  4. Boom safety instruction, moving around the boat instructions

  5. Marine head usage instruction

  6. Environment protection instruction

  7. Fire safety

  8. Use of life jackets, PFDs

  9. Docking, anchoring, mooring, boarding, dinghy use, rafting up

  10. VHF, DSC, Mayday, EPIRB

  11. Distress signals, bilge pump operation

  12. Engine start/stop/check

  13. Tacking, gybing, reefing, heaving-to, hoisting sails, steering, use of swim ladder

  14. Night sailing, docking

  15. Abandon ship, rig loss, fire, flooding, steering malfunction, accidental gybe, injured crew member, storm / squall procedures, grounding

4. On-Board Living

  1. Comfortable head, convenient to clean and flush

  2. Comfortable dry bunk

  3. Convenient dish washing set up

  4. Convenient hand wash set up

  5. Energy saving lights (all)

  6. Solar cockpit lights

  7. Companionway rain cover (clear UV treated marine vinyl)

  8. 12-volt vacuum

  9. Fans in sleeping areas

  10. Waterproof bags

  11. A/C (Ex: ZeroBreeze)

  12. Cooler (cooler bags)

  13. Sun Shower (with a foot pump, shower head, hose, adaptors)

  14. Portable smartphone chargers

  15. Boom tent, ties

  16. Bimini

  17. Dodger

  18. Cockpit table

  19. Cabin table

  20. Swimsuits

  21. Towels

  22. Beach towels

  23. Bedsheets

  24. Pillows (comfortable)

  25. Snorkeling mask, tube, fins, mesh bag

  26. Raincoat/jacket/ponchos

  27. Windproof jackets

  28. Blue tooth speakers

  29. Folding electric bicycle

  30. Lights in each cabin

  31. Tree hammock

  32. Marine toilet paper

  33. Mobile phone chargers / cables

  34. Mesh bags

  35. Cargo net

  36. Pen / pencils / erasers

  37. Trash bins for the galley and head

  38. Rubber bands

  39. Cup holders

  40. Fender holders

  41. Dust pan, brush

  42. 12-volt pluggable 3-way adaptor (cigarette lighter type plug)

  43. 12-volt extension chord (cigarette lighter type plug)

  44. Envelopes, postal stamps

  45. Flag pole

  46. Flags

  47. Daily-wear clothes

  48. Small reading light

  49. Binnacle cover

  50. Sail cover

  51. Head mounted flashlight

Store items in plastic transparent zip lock bags (Easy to see). Expect everything to get wet, corrode, leak, spill, tip over (and damage other items). Remove all packaging and stickers. Do not use carton boxes.

5. Spare Parts

  1. Spare bilge pump (12-volt powered, pluggable)

  2. Spare batteries

  3. Spare cabin lights

  4. Spare alternator belt

  5. Spare oil filters

  6. Spare fuel filters

  7. Spare impeller

  8. Fuses (variety)

  9. Some wires

  10. Butt connectors / heat shrink tubing

  11. Spare stainless nuts/bolts/screws/washers

  12. Spare wood / marine starboard

  13. Rigging parts, cotter pins

  14. Spare swim ladder legs

  15. Spare engine key

  16. Spare companion way lock

  17. Utility wire

6. Tools

  1. Basic mechanical toolkit (wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, hex keys, etc)

  2. Basic electrical toolkit (wire cutter, voltmeter, crimping tool, butt connectors, electrical tape, heat shrink tubing)

  3. Basic carpenter toolkit, hacksaw

  4. Basic plumbing toolkit

  5. Basic sewing toolkit

  6. Hose

  7. Broom (floating)

  8. Shore power chord

  9. Crowbar tool

  10. Voltmeter

  11. Inspection mirror

  12. Magnetic pick-up tool (telescoping or snake-type)

  13. Wire crimping tool

  14. Lighters, matches (windproof)

  15. Bottle opener / corkscrew

  16. Key to open tank caps

  17. Inflatable dingy pump

  18. Shower pump

  19. Liquid transfer pump

  20. Waterproof computer keyboard, mouse

  21. Smartphone mount

  22. Engine key attached to a float

  23. Companion way lock with a float

  24. Drill

  25. Drill bits

  26. Screwdriver bit set

  27. Bar Clamp

  28. Vise-grips

  29. Rotary tool (Ex: Dremel)

  30. Drain cleaning stick

  31. Plunger

  32. Marine engine oil changer / extractor (Marinas usually take the extracted oil for proper disposal)

  33. Diesel fuel stabilizer

  34. Laundry bags

7. Supplies

  1. Cargo straps 1-inch width (+ clam buckles, tri glide buckles)

  2. Gear ties

  3. Utility wire

  4. USB/Ethernet cables

  5. Phone charger cables

  6. Various ropes, ties

  7. Carabiners

  8. Stainless kitchen clips

  9. Oil absorbing sheets / pads

  10. Zip lock bags

  11. Acetone

  12. Holding tank septic liquid

  13. Matches / lighter

  14. Scissors

  15. Pens/pencils

  16. Rigging knives (one per crew)

  17. Rigging tape

  18. Whipping twine

  19. Stainless hose clamps

  20. Spare LPG gas for stove (stored outside)

  21. Oil Lantern, liquid for it, funnel (or candle lantern and candles for it)

  22. Plastic wire ties

  23. Garbage bags

  24. Paper towels

  25. Boat wash soap

  26. Bag of rags

  27. Duct tapes

  28. Butyl tape

  29. Electrical tape

  30. Waterproof sacks

  31. Dry lube

  32. Air freshener

  33. Odor neutralizing gel beads

  34. Air deodorizer

  35. Assorted bungee cords

  36. Assorted shackles

  37. Sail ties

  38. Sail repair kit

  39. Glue

  40. Marine caulk

  41. Caulking gun

  42. Sand paper

  43. Measuring tape

  44. Bag of dehumidifying pellets

  45. Bilge cleaner liquid

  46. Boat pole holder

8. Hygiene / Health

  1. Toothpaste / brush / toothpicks / mouth wash / dental floss

  2. Eye drops

  3. Eye contact lenses / liquid / prescription eye glasses with neck chord

  4. Prescription medicines (labeled with name, patient name and instructions)

  5. Hand sanitizer

  6. Sunglasses, neck chord

  7. Sun hat with lanyard

  8. Long sleeve collared UV protective shirts

  9. Sunscreen (pick the brand which doesn’t stain boat gel coat), lip balm

  10. Hand soap

  11. Q-tips

  12. Supplements, vitamins

  13. Skin moisturizer

  14. Ibuprofen/Advil

  15. Tylenol

  16. Thermometer

  17. Pepto bismol

  18. Cotton balls

  19. Tweezers

  20. Wet wipes

  21. Gatorade

  22. Snakebite kit

  23. Nail clipping toolkit

  24. Bandages

  25. First-aid manual (use Reeds Ocean Handbook)

  26. Hydrogen peroxide

  27. Anti-fungal creme

  28. Antibiotic creme, neosporin

  29. Skin rash, anti itch cream

  30. Allergy medications

  31. Shampoo

  32. Body wash

  33. Bath sponges

  34. Deodorant

  35. Shaving razor, shaving cream

  36. Burn creme

  37. Scissors

  38. Bandanna

  39. Ear plugs

  40. Sea sickness medications, bracelet, ginger gum / candies, ear plugs

  41. Sleep mask

  42. Marine toilet paper

  43. Zip lock bags

  44. Water shoes (for use on a dinghy)

  45. Covid-19 masks, gloves

  46. Feminine hygiene products (instruct not to dispose into the head)

  47. Nicotine patches

9. Cooking / Galley

  1. Stove (double-gimbaled is better)

  2. Solar Stove (Ex: SunGo Sport with a marine mount)

  3. Forks

  4. Knives with covers

  5. Ceramic knives with covers

  6. Spoons, teaspoons

  7. Chopsticks

  8. Plates / bowls

  9. Cups / glasses

  10. Cooking pans

  11. Spatula

  12. Stainless steel cooking utensil set

  13. Kettle

  14. Pressure cooker

  15. Windshield for the stove

  16. Multi grater

  17. Thermos

  18. Mugs

  19. Double gimbaled mug holder (Ex: Osculati)

  20. Matches, lighters

  21. Gas for the stove

  22. Utensils holder

  23. Spice rack

  24. Zip-lock bags

  25. Coffee maker

  26. Potatoes peeler

  27. Wine glasses (plastic)

  28. Brushes for dish washing

  29. Frying pan

  30. Toaster or camping toast making tool (Ex: By Primus)

  31. Cutting board

  32. Can opener

  33. Egg holder (plastic reusable)

  34. Kitchen timer

  35. Kitchen liners

  36. Napkins

  37. Paper towels

  38. Aluminum foil

  39. Plastic wraps

  40. Cocktail shaker

  41. Bubble wrap

  42. Large plastic cookie jar

  43. Pot holders

  44. Dish scrubbie

  45. Food saver (12v vacuum food sealer)

  46. Colander

  47. Outside storage for cooking propane/butane gas

Cooking below deck possesses a risk. Store cooking propane/butane gas containers outside. The bilge should be well ventilated to allow heavier than air flammable gases to escape. Prefer cooking on an outside gas grill.
Even if the risk is low but consequences are catastrophic you still need to mitigate the risk.

10. Food / Provisioning

  1. Salt

  2. Sugar

  3. Black pepper

  4. Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, basil, dill, etc)

  5. Steak sauce

  6. White vinegar

  7. Gatorade

  8. Trail mix bags

  9. Vegetable oil

  10. Olive oil

  11. Rice

  12. Pasta

  13. Pasta sauce

  14. Canned fruit snacks

  15. Canned soups

  16. Drinking water

  17. Baking flour

  18. Baking soda

  19. Potatoes

  20. Onions

  21. Lemons, limes

  22. Carrots

  23. Potatoes

  24. Tortilla chips / potatoes chips

  25. Fruit snacks / dry fruits

  26. Cookies, crackers

  27. Cucumbers

  28. Tomatoes

  29. Lettuce

  30. Bread

  31. Apples

  32. Coffee

  33. Tea

  34. Ketchup

  35. Canned beans / dry beans

  36. Mustard

  37. Mayonnaise

  38. Canned milk

  39. Canned soups

  40. Bouillon cubes, dry soup mix

  41. Dry ramen noodles

  42. Canned tomato paste

  43. Seafood sauce

  44. Avocados

  45. Raisins

  46. Cacao mix

  47. Peanut butter

  48. Protein bars, granola bars

  49. Pretzel sticks

  50. Peanut butter

  51. Chips

  52. Olives

  53. Ginger ale

  54. Tomato/apple/orange juice

  55. Cheese

  56. Thermos

  57. BBQ / steak sauce

  58. Pickles

  59. Beer

  60. White wine / sparkling wine

  61. Cereal

  62. Bacon

  63. Eggs

11. Crew roles

11.1. Captain / Skipper

  1. In-charge

  2. Safety

  3. Decision maker

11.2. Navigator

  1. Position / weather tracking

  2. Radio, radar, navigation electronics

  3. Ship logs

  4. Sail trim

  5. Tides / currents

11.3. Engineer

  1. Hull / integrity

  2. Fire safety

  3. Mechanical and electric equipment

  4. Repairs / maintenance

  5. Tools / spares

  6. Plumbing / hull

  7. Radio equipment

11.4. Cook

  1. Food and galley

  2. Provisioning

11.5. Boatswain

  1. Rig / spars / mast

  2. Running rigging

  3. Anchors

  4. Deck equipment / safety gear

11.6. Helmsman

  1. Whoever is at the helm

  2. Maintain course and speed

  3. Watch out for vessels and obstructions

  4. Monitor trim / rig / voltage / nav lights / weather conditions

  5. Notify captain

11.7. Accountant / Bookkeeper

  1. Expense tracking

11.8. Doctor

  1. Healthcare

11.9. DJ / animator

  1. Entertainment

  2. Music

11.10. Photographer / video operator

  1. Photo

  2. Video

11.11. Fisherman

  1. Anything fishing

11.12. Lookout

  1. Observation of hazards

  2. Landmarks

  3. Person on a watch-out

  4. Anchor watch

11.13. Pilot

  1. Dinghy operation

  2. Boat to shore movements (from anchoring / mooring)

12. Entertainment

  1. Blue tooth speakers, audio cable

  2. Downloaded music

  3. Computer (low power usage), movies (downloaded)

  4. Some board games (chess, etc)

  5. Card games

  6. Small musical instruments (harmonica, ukulele, guitar, etc)

  7. Guitar tuner

  8. Books / magazines

  9. Travel guides

  10. Beach volley ball

  11. Balderdash

  12. Snorkel, mask, fins, mesh bag

  13. GoPro camera, mounts

  14. Waterproof smartphone, charging cables, 12v adapter, unlocked

  15. Camera drone, charger, remote

  16. Scuba gear, oxygen tanks

  17. Fishing gear, fishing poles, fishing pole mounts, knives, lures, lines

  18. Fishing spear / gun

  19. Marine life identification book / phone app

  20. Skateboard, roller blades, scooter, helmets

  21. Small underwater sea scooter

  22. GoPro camera + mounts

  23. Folding electric bike

  24. Domino

  25. Chess

  26. 3D Connect Four

  27. Boogie board

13. Applications for smartphones / tablets

  1. iNavX

  2. Navionics

  3. OpenCPN

  4. SEAiq

  5. Marine Traffic

  6. Ship Finder

  7. PredictWind

  8. NOAA Weather Radar

  9. Tide Alert

  10. US Coast Guard

  11. SeaTow

  12. Dockwa

  13. Snag a Slip

  14. ActiveCaptain

  15. CruisersSailingForums

  16. Boatsetter

  17. GoSailing

  18. NauticEd

  19. Knot Guide

  20. StarChart

  21. WebMD