Outfitting a Boat: Our Checklist Before the First Passage

In short

Our St Francis 50, Aphrodite, came to us empty, so before Rick and Dave, a former St Francis owner, sailed her from Fort Lauderdale to Bradenton, we had to outfit her to sail, live and cook in. Our list covered a medical kit, tools, spares, food and water, bedding, charts and a passage plan, three EPIRBs on other cruisers' advice, PFDs, the life raft's certification, flares, fire extinguishers, medical insurance and a good bucket.

In the next month or so, my husband and a former St Francis owner, Dave will set off to sail our St Francis 50 catamaran from Fort Lauderdale to Bradenton, Florida. Dave owned O’Vive.

Passage plan: Fort Lauderdale to Bradenton

A formal inspection of our boat, Aphrodite, has been arranged. But, our boat needs to be outfitted to sail, live and cook in. It will be empty of contents when we receive it.

Prior to the passage from Fort Lauderdale to Bradenton we need:

medical kit/first aid
tools
spares
supply food and water
provide bedding and towels
provide cooking utensils, clothespins, dish cloths, dish towels, etc.
drain holding tank
obtain needed charts
plan passage
check that dinghy is inflated and serviceable and engine works
buy and register EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) – we plan to carry three onboard as per advice from other cruisers
verify PFDs onboard and/or buy replacement PFDs
verify servicing of life raft and check certification is current
verify flares and fire extinguishers are onboard, appropriate and not expired
get out of country medical insurance (we’re Canadians)
snorkel and fins
extra dinghy fuel
good boat book
good Florida cruising guide
bucket – “A bucket is an essential part of any yacht’s equipment…its uses ranging from wine-cooler, fish hold, baby bath, fire extinguisher and potty to baler.” (Jill Schinas, Kids in the Cockpit)
cleaning products
toilet paper
dish soap
hand soap

Buying the boat has meant a steep learning curve. We must familiarize ourselves with life rafts – types, sizes, and installations. We must also research EPIRBs. But, it’s a good feeling because it feels like we’re making traction in pursuing our dreams as cruisers.