UNIQUE EQUIPTMENT?

[Bob23]

Maybe this should be at the forum but here goes:
    What is the one piece of equiptment you carry on your boat that is unique? In other words, you may answer this one: "I am so wierd that I have a _________ on board at all times."
    I'm not gonna start this one out. I'll post my unique item after a few of you other characters have a chance. I can say it's not a Hutchins factory part and it's not made of metal and fiberglass.
Bob23

[adifferentdrummer]

I use a wooden train whistle in place of a foghorn.

[jimyoung]

Now there is a thread of it's own......  I keep a conch shell on board for when I need a "horn".

Capt'n Jim

[lostsailor101]

Spear gun for me!

[Bob23]

I keep an old wood and canvas beach chair stowed below. While at the mooring or at anchor, I unfold it, set it out on the foredeck and pop open a cold one. It's just the right size for me to rest my size 10 EEEE feet on the bowrail. I've seen more than a few great sunsets from my captains chair and even dozed off a few times.
Bob23

[newt]

I keep a pair of hand made oars. They fit on the side and are useful with I want the purist (no motor) approach.

[Bob23]

Newt:
   How long are the oars? Where do you sit or do you stand and where have you installed the oarlocks? (or rowlocks as they used to be called.)
Bob23

[GlennB724]

a package of disposable baby diapers!!!

I keep one or two in the aft bilge section of my 16/3 to deal with the water that always comes in through what I'm sure is a leaky scupper on the transom.  This only happens when there are people aboard and well aft, which puts the scuppers underwater.  When I get back to the slip, I pull the diaper out... presto... no more bailing!   The biggest advantage is that when we're healed over, whatever water comes aboard doesn't get the chance to spill over the half bulkhead and make its way forward to the cabin.

My elusive dream is to finally get her watertight... and eliminate the need for the diapers.

[newt]

Sorry Bob for not getting back to you. Sometimes I need to be hit on the head with one of my oars- which are 8 feet long and fit inside the cabin. I have been attaching them to my grinders, but will probably put a permanent oarlocks toward the rear where I can row with my oars and steer with my legs. You know how I am, got to do it solo and in adverse conditions....

[HenryC]

On my old San Francisco Pelican I always used to carry a funnel on board.  It was a small, open boat, with no facilities and no privacy. When I had lady passengers aboard, it could be placed in the centerboard well (which opened directly to the sea) upon request.  When needed, the word would be passed, Navy style, for all hands to hear, loud and clear:  "NOW RIG FOR WOMEN'S HEAD."

[curtisv]

Henry,

Good way to discourage women on board.  I hear they are bad luck anyway.  (Whoever first said that must have been willing to take them off other sailor's hands).

Bob,

As to the original question I have a water towed generator on board.  So far I haven't used it except to try it out and see the charge meter move.  I need to get out into deep and really open water to use it, like the sort where you spend hours or more on the same tack.  Sailing to windward with it should be OK in deep water but it isn't supposed to hit bottom mid tack and the prop is on a 25' line.  That's also OK since the Atlantic is 70' not far from shore.

This is not so unusual on a big cruising boat, but maybe very unusual on a boat this small.

Curtis

[Salty19]

I can't think of a single thing that would be considered "unique" equipment on my boat.  I can't count the factory on-off options, although according to Gerry, Island Time's hull color has not been replicated.

My old 16 had teak coaming rails with genoa tracks on the rails.  That was unique!  Not to mention functional and nice looking.

[doctormikek]

How about my fishing license, rod and reel and tackle box. I'm a multi - tasker.

[kickingbug1]

   i keep a .38 on board for discussions with "power" boaters

[rip]

Ouch! Pretty harsh. Sounds like one of them has never saved your young butt in an emergency...which will most likely occur some day. I would expect to see a minus show up for kickingbug1. No offense fella, I too have been distressed by those relying only on the iron wind, but not quite to that extent.