Best Equipment

DuoGen
Brilliant water and wind generator which has been in constant use for years. The power generated in the water mode especially has been impressive although we estimate the boat speed decreases by between quarter and half a knot.

Mr D’s Thermal Cooker
Given to us by our friends Dave and Looies, this amazing gas saver cooks using thermal energy and once you have simmered a chilli or casserole in the inner pot for 5 minutes, you can put it into the outer casing and close the lid. A few hours later the meal is beautifully cooked. Cakes and bread can also be cooked in it although I haven’t tried that out yet.

Simmer Mat
Another great buy from Lakeland which stops the food boiling rather than simmering by diffusing the heat. I find the gas on lowest heat is still not low enough.

Solar Christmas Lights
We put the tiny solar panel outside every day so we can have the blue and green lights around the cabin every evening, or put up under the bimini.

AIS and Radar
Great backup crossing the shipping lanes and when caught out by fog.

Plotter at the Helm
Another piece of technology which makes navigating far easier and safer, especially if there are only 2 of you onboard and on a watch system.

Generator
The ability to heat water, charge the batteries, dry your hair, charge up all the electrical equipment and make toast all depend on the generator. Lets hope it continues to work as well as it is doing currently.

Watermaker
A necessity for cruising freedom as it means we don’t need to go into harbours and marinas just to pick up water. We have 3 water tanks and our watermaker puts 60 litres an hour into the forward tank. We make sure we use that one all the time when out at sea, the other 2 then being reserves.

Bimini
Keeps the sun off but also the rain, so in warm climates we can still sit outside and enjoy the fresh air, even if it is raining.

Sprung Mattress
Bought from Susan Hughes and made to measure for the awkwardly shaped forecabin bunk. It is in 2 sections so we can still use the leeboards on passage and we have sheets for the 2 halves also. When you live full time on the boat, a good matress is essential to avoid back issues.

Bubble Wrap & ‘Sticky Mat’
I wanted to take crystal wine, champagne and shot glasses plus a few tumblers as I’m not keen on the plastic ones. We also have china mugs. All of these have travelled with us the last 3 years without breakage as they are stored in bubble wrap. The 8 champagne flutes fitted into my old knee high boots box perfectly, so they live in there all snugly wrapped in bubbles.

The sticky mat has been spread over the tops of cupboards and a few plastic crates sit on top with light goods in them, such as biscuits and crisps. None have moved so far.

Hand Held Whisk
This is one with gears which you madly turn for ages until the cream thickens. Does away with the need for electricity and is faster than a balloon whisk.

Lock ‘n’ Lock Boxes
Brilliant for storing almost anything. Seal completely and if you buy the rectangular or square ones, saves space.

Green Salad and Veg Bags
From Lakeland again, these are definitely keeping our salads and vegetables a lot longer in the frige and well worth buying.

Freezer
This was an addition this year and is brilliant! As it is keel cooled, it doesn’t need as much energy to run as the frige yet it enables us to have ice cream, bread, butter and milk even if we haven’t seen a shop in a fortnight. There are 8 casseroles and curries for 5 people already stored away at the bottom and hot cross buns, smoked salmon, bacon and croissants for special occasions.

Fly Screens
Haven’t used these before but some Lewmar fly screens came with the boat and in the warmer weather it means we can leave the hatches open and not have uninvited guests joining us!