A huge crowd gathers at the breakwater in Gran Canaria to bid farewell to the yachts. One by one, boats from 26 nationalities file out of Las Palmas marina toward the start line at the north of the Spanish island. Crews dance and cheer, and the music changes from Queen to ABBA as Swedish yacht Dawnbreaker docks out to the blare of an Alpine horn. The two white-haired children at the bow seem awed by the fanfare, but their brother, Alfred, waves furiously from the top of a Jacob’s ladder, looking more than ready to take on the Atlantic.

The Chuck Paine–custom-designed yacht is one of 83 vessels (six of them American) taking part in the 2,700-mile rally to Grenada, which has a stopover in Cape Verde. The direct ARC, which sails to St. Lucia, departs two weeks later.

It’s been 40 years since Jimmy Cornell launched the ARC, an event aimed at cruising enthusiasts, not “racing’s elite,” with a focus on safety. Back then, Dawnbreaker skipper Lars Alfredson was navigating with a radio direction finder. Even during his first ARC, in 2003, he was reliant on an SSB radio and a modem to stay in contact.

“You’d spend hours and hours trying to connect, but you got through sometimes,” he recalls. “You see the boats the first day and the last day, and in between it’s just empty sea.”

Now, sailing with his son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, Lars has Starlink, enabling the family to run their online retail business at sea.

“I wouldn’t say things are better now, but for the young people who need to be connected all the time and have to report everything that happens, they like it,” says Lars.

At 64 feet, Dawnbreaker is one of the bigger entries in the fleet, with the average yacht being 48 feet. These days, over a third of participants are multihulls, and most are equipped with satcomms, autopilots, solar, lithium batteries and MFDs. But how would the crews feel if they were zapped back in time, Marty McFly–style, to 1986? Would they still do it? This is the question we put to them as they made their final preparations for their big adventure.

Almond angst

“Yes, I’d still go, because I wouldn’t know any different,” says Richard Cropper, skipper of Beneteau 60 Salty Rascal. “You’d just get by with the tools you’ve got.”

The British dad’s decision to embark on a yearlong adventure with wife Louise and sons Jake (9) and Harry (11) was inspired by a Secret Santa gift, a book entitled Sail Away: How to Escape the Rat Race and Live the Dream. Though the idea took hold on Christmas morning 2014, it would be over a decade before that dream became a reality, and only recently did they learn that the gift was from Louise’s sister.

“I think she wanted to get rid of us,” laughs Louise, a primary care physician. “For years afterward, Richard kept saying, ‘Would you do it? Would you do it?’ I only said yes because I never thought we’d go through with it. But I wouldn’t have done it 40 years ago, not without the technology. Everyone back home thinks we’re mad, but they can follow us using the YB tracker, and knowing we’re doing it in an organized group and can send pictures back home normalizes what we’re doing.”

Richard adds: “But the danger of being part of a huge rally is you can’t stop buying stuff. It’s like when you’re at school waiting to do your exams, and everyone’s talking about what they revised, and you’re thinking, ‘God, I didn’t do that.’ You start asking if you’ve got enough equipment. Did you buy enough toilet rolls? We had a panic about almonds, and Louise is like, ‘How many almonds have you actually eaten in the last year?’”

To ease the stress of the passage, the Croppers have hired Brazilian skipper Juan Manuel Ballestero, who made headlines during the pandemic when he sailed three months from Portugal to Argentina in order to see his sick father.

“I was in Porto Santo, and the borders closed. There were no flights, no ferries. I just decided right away, I’m going,” he says. “It was more than a sailing trip, it was an inner trip. I’m still trying to shape it, after all these years, asking myself what really happened. We love our families; that is what COVID taught us. I was going home, and I didn’t care how long it would take.”

Then it was a trip of solitude: a 29-foot yacht packed with 160 cans of food and a bottle of whiskey. This time, Juan’s looking forward to an altogether different experience, as was clear the night of his arrival in Las Palmas, when he was whisked to an ’80s party by a giddy Louise in luminous leggings.

“This family is lots of fun,” he says. “I’m pretty stoked about doing the voyage with the little ones. It will be unique.”

MOB rescue

Hoisting eight flags onto the forestay—an act counted excitedly by a group of boys fishing off the pontoon—is Swan 51 Eira. The monohull is doing the main ARC, and Finnish delivery crew Markus Leppanen and Vilhelm Sjöström are preparing her for the paying passengers.

“Sailing Eira wouldn’t have been much different 40 years ago,” says Vilhelm, tapping the elk-skin-covered wheel. “We have an autopilot now but hand-steer 95% of the time. We have a big racing rudder, which is really responsive, and people participate because they want to steer and sail. They want to learn something new.”

Markus and Vilhelm have tens of thousands of sea miles under their belts. Markus recalls that in the 1993 ARC, they didn’t have a sat phone—just GPS and a plotter. Instead of weather apps, they had a guy navigating onshore, giving instructions over SSB.

Back then they were “just a bunch of friends with the smallest, fastest Swan.” Now, Eira has 85,000 nautical miles on the clock and 15 crossings. She’s a veteran in every sense of the word.

“We use a traditional spinnaker,” says Vilhelm. “At first only in light airs until we know how experienced the crew are. Running it at night requires a bit of practice. The biggest risk is something happens, and the thing that should never happen is a man overboard.”

They reflect on the tragedy in last year’s ARC, where Swedish sailor Dag Eresund, 33, fell overboard from Volvo 70 Ocean Breeze.

“I was routing from Finland,” says Vilhelm. “I noticed all the fastest boats changing course and I knew, hours before it became news, that there was an MOB. It was around 0230, 20–25 knots. When it’s pitch black and a swell of about 6 meters, you know it’s really hard to get someone out of there. These old Whitbread boats don’t turn on a sixpence.”

Eresund was wearing a personal AIS beacon, a safety device that transmits your position to the mothership and nearby vessels, yet sadly he could not be located, reinforcing the fact that even the latest satellite technology is no substitute for lashing yourself to the deck, which people have done since the beginnings of sailing.

Markus recalls an MOB on his 1999 ARC, though happily that had a positive outcome.

“It was a Norwegian racing boat, sponsored by Jägermeister,” he says. “The spinnaker came down in a squall, and they gybed, knocking a crewmember into the water. Even when it’s warm, you’ll only last 24 hours, but here is this guy in a Hawaiian shirt—he takes off his life jacket and places it under his butt to stay out of the water. After 28 hours, a German boat passes and picks him up!”

It’s not the first time a sailor has been rescued by chance during a cruising rally. In ARC+ 2021, British catamaran Coco happened upon a dismasted yacht 140 miles from Grenada and towed it into port, to the relief of the distressed French skipper.

For crews’ safety, it’s a requirement of the ARC that all skippers have the ability to send and receive emails at sea, whether via SSB radio (via a free messaging program called Airmail) or a satcom device such as Iridium Certus 100 or Inmarsat Fleet One.

“We talked about getting Starlink,” says Vilhelm, “but the skipper doesn’t want it because the experience for the crew changes. We have satcomms and can make phone calls and emails, but we don’t want everybody hanging around the cockpit reading the news. You spoil the experience.”

It was during World ARC 2023 when Elon Musk’s low-cost, high-speed internet service took off among long-distance cruisers. While only two of the 20 boats leaving St. Lucia at the start of the rally had Starlink, by the time they’d completed a world circuit six months later, only two boats didn’t have it.

Medical backup

Onboard Frolic, a J/44, we find Rhode Island sailor HL DeVore opening the cava, having successfully Googled a fix for his B&G wind sensor, saving $3,000 in parts and labor. His ex–U.S. Coast Guard vessel is equipped with Starlink, a piece of kit HL wouldn’t sail without.

“I do love the romanticism of not being able to communicate other than with attempts at SSB,” he admits, “and I’m old enough to have sailed in those days, but being connected gives the family at home security, and means we can liaise with a medical team if needed—in fact, the same one used by round-the-world sailor Cole Brauer. We’ve got IV kits, medicines—everything you could possibly need—and with modern comms we have the comfort of knowing we can solve issues at sea.”

Meant to be?

Although Starlink draws a significant amount of power, the benefit of being able to make video calls and stream sports games or Netflix has made today’s cruising yacht a true home from home. It’s allowed Mexican family the Sidauys to sell their home and possessions and move onboard their Lagoon 52F catamaran Ruaj. This new wave of adventurous young families, who buy production catamarans and choose cruising as an alternative lifestyle, was rare in the ’70s, when the majority of ARC participants were older, wealthy couples.

For Gabriel Sidauy, the idea of taking on an Atlantic crossing was sparked during a chance meeting on a flight from Tijuana to Cancun.

“The man next to me was checking out boats and charts,” says Gabriel. “He was about to start this amazing adventure with his wife and three kids. I said to him, ‘That’s the best thing I heard in my life!’”

Gabriel’s children, Moises (now 14) and Natalie (10), loved the idea, but it took four years to persuade his wife, Victoria, to sell up and sail away. When finally she agreed and they shared their plans with neighbors, they were put in touch with a sailor who agreed to be their mentor.

It turned out to be none other than Emanuel—the guy Gabriel met on the plane.

“I told him he changed our lives, and he didn’t remember me,” laughs Gabriel. “But he was great. He told me about the ARC, what boat to look for, and he came several times to the house with his wife to tell us about his experience.”

The Sidauys bought Ruaj in Italy and spent a year sailing around the Mediterranean before making their way south to the Canaries. Thanks to Starlink, Gabriel can run his plastic recycling business at sea, while Natalie and Moises can be homeschooled, with regular calls to classmates and tutors.

“We have learned many things,” says Gabriel. “We used to live in a big house in Cancun with all the space we wanted, and now we learn to live with what is necessary.”

The bare(ish) necessities

One of the joys of the ARC is seeing what families deem “necessary” for their transatlantic, whether that’s a 50-inch TV, washing machine, coffee maker or, in the case of the Sidauys, “aerial silks,” which gymnast Natalie has tied to the forestay.

“Gymnastics is my passion,” she says breathlessly, while twirling and tumbling to the applause of neighboring boats. “I also love the night sky and can’t wait to see shooting stars, and play my ukulele with Moises on his guitar.”

So, a final question: Would they do this 40 years ago?

“No, it would not be possible,” confirms Gabriel, who has to cut short the interview to receive a video conference call.

Without modern tech, Gabriel would still be in Mexico dreaming of a long-ago conversation with a man on the plane. Most likely, the Croppers would be in drizzly Manchester, England, working long hours and doing school runs. Yet for experienced sailors such as Lars Alfredson, who has sailed to the Arctic and Antarctic, and HL DeVore, a navigator with 14 Newport-to-Bermuda races under his belt, waking up in 1986 in the middle of the ocean would pose no problem whatsoever.

The great thing about rallies such as the ARC+ is that these types of sailors can come together and cross the ocean in whatever way suits them, knowing that at the end of it all, in Port Louis Marina, Grenada, they’ll be sharing stories over a rum punch as the sun goes down over the Caribbean Sea.

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Electric propulsion continues to gain momentum in the boating world, and VETUS is pushing that evolution forward with the introduction of its new E-Line 22 kW electric motor. The Netherlands-based manufacturer says the new model is its most powerful electric offering to date, designed to deliver familiar performance with the added benefits of zero emissions and near-silent operation.

Rated at 22 kW with a maximum torque of 130 Nm, the E-Line 22 kW is built to provide strong, responsive acceleration from a standstill and immediate deceleration when required. VETUS says the motor’s output makes it suitable for vessels up to 50 feet and displacements of up to 20 tons, opening electric propulsion to a broader range of cruising boats and small commercial craft.

The system incorporates advanced range-management technology to help operators make the most of available battery capacity. VETUS’ Sailing Assist firmware is designed to optimize efficiency during acceleration, cruising, and emergency stopping, aiming to deliver predictable and intuitive handling that mirrors the feel of a conventional diesel auxiliary.

One of the E-Line 22 kW’s key selling points is its modular, ready-to-install design. The motor is delivered as a complete system, requiring only the choice of control lever and cooling solution, either keel cooling or freshwater cooling, to match the vessel’s configuration. Its compact footprint allows it to be mounted on many existing engine foundations, making it a realistic option for refits as well as new builds.

VETUS has also designed the E-Line platform to be expandable over time. Owners can tailor their systems with different control levers, shunts, and display options, allowing upgrades as needs or cruising plans evolve.

The timing aligns with regulatory trends, particularly in Europe, where an increasing number of waterways and harbors are being designated as low- or zero-emissions zones. High-powered electric propulsion offers boaters access to these areas while delivering quiet operation that enhances the on-the-water experience.

While electric motors are a growing focus, VETUS continues to position itself as a full systems supplier. In addition to propulsion, the company provides shafts, propellers, seating, and other onboard equipment, supporting integrated installations from a single manufacturer. All VETUS products are backed by a three-year warranty.

The E-Line 22 kW electric motor is available now. More information is available at vetus.com

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Artificial intelligence continues to move from the fringes of marine technology into the everyday tools sailors and professional mariners rely on. This week, Hefring Marine and SEA.AI announced a new partnership aimed at bringing AI enhanced vision and onboard analytics together to elevate safety and situational awareness at sea.

Hefring Marine, an Icelandic marine technology company known for its intelligent maritime analytics, will integrate SEA.AI’s machine vision collision avoidance technology with its IMAS platform. The result is a combined system designed to help operators better understand what is happening both around the boat and within it.

Hefring Marine’s IMAS platform uses AI sensor data and edge computing to provide real time operational intelligence. It is designed to support safer decision making while improving efficiency and sustainability across a wide range of vessels. SEA.AI brings a different but complementary capability to the table, using optical and thermal cameras paired with artificial intelligence to detect and identify floating objects in real time, including hazards that can be difficult to spot by eye or radar alone.

“At Hefring Marine, our mission is to empower vessel operators by enhancing safety, efficiency and sustainability through intelligent technology,” said Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO of Hefring Marine. “This partnership with SEA.AI allows us to offer our clients an even more comprehensive solution that combines operational intelligence with advanced collision avoidance capabilities. Together, we are setting a new standard for maritime safety and performance.”

By integrating the two systems, operators gain a more complete picture of both external risks and onboard performance. The companies say the combined technology is intended to improve situational awareness, streamline operations and support compliance with increasingly strict environmental regulations by helping crews operate more efficiently.

SEA.AI CEO Marcus Warrelmann sees the partnership as a natural extension of his company’s focus on maritime machine vision. “Partnering with Hefring Marine solidifies SEA.AI’s position as a pioneer in maritime smart vision technology,” Warrelmann said. “By joining forces with such an advanced analytics platform, we are creating an integrated ecosystem that addresses the full spectrum of maritime operational needs.”

SEA.AI has been developing machine vision systems for maritime use since 2018, offering solutions that combine AI with optical and thermal sensors for recreational commercial and government vessels. Hefring Marine’s IMAS platform is already used across multiple workboat sectors to support safety fuel efficiency and data driven fleet management.

For cruising sailors and offshore operators alike, the collaboration signals how quickly AI based tools are becoming more integrated into onboard systems. Rather than standalone gadgets, future safety technology increasingly points toward unified platforms that help crews see more, know more, and respond faster at sea.

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When a harbor master called Nick Heyes to tell him his boat was sinking, the news came with a troubling twist. A persistent leak in the shaft seal had slowly filled the bilge with contaminated water. The pump eventually overloaded and failed, leaving the boat at risk and sending polluted discharge overboard without anyone knowing.

“That got me thinking,” said Heyes, managing director of Digital Yacht. “Our company creates connected solutions for boaters, and yet my own boat nearly sank and was discharging polluted bilge water simply because I didn’t know the bilge pump had failed. There had to be a solution.”

That incident kicked off the development of Bilge iQ, a new intelligent bilge monitoring and environmental protection system that has since earned major industry awards.

Bilge iQ connects to any bilge pump through NMEA 2000 and displays pump status on a vessel’s multifunction display. Owners can control the pump from the MFD or use standard NMEA switching commands. A built-in wireless interface allows monitoring from a phone or tablet, giving boaters access to pump activity, current draw, cycle logs, and alarms for dry-run events, long run times, or pump failures. Bilge iQ also integrates with Victron Cerbo systems to enable remote oversight through the free VRM cloud platform.

“We developed a solution that allows boat owners to monitor and control the bilge pump,” Heyes said. “A sinking boat obviously poses major environmental risks, but on a day to day basis unmonitored bilge discharge is a problem.”

To address that broader concern, Digital Yacht partnered with Wave International, maker of Lloyd’s Register-approved Wavestream bilge filters. Wavestream units remove hydrocarbons and other contaminants down to 5 ppm, a level often required in marine protection zones and inland waterways.

“Digital Yacht contacted us about integrating the Wavestream filter into the Bilge iQ to create a comprehensive solution which would not only protect owners’ boats but also protect the environment,” said Paul Gullett, managing director of Wave International. “It ensures only clean water is pumped overboard.”

The combined system launched in September and was named Best New Product by the NMEA. In November, Bilge iQ earned the DAME Design Award for Environmental Design as well as a special mention for On Board Safety.

For boatowners, the solution offers something long overdue: a smarter way to keep water out of the boat and pollution out of the sea.

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Henri-Lloyd unveiled its new Ocean PRO offshore apparel line at Metstrade this week, positioning the collection as a breakthrough in survival-grade performance gear for professional racing teams, committed adventurers, and long-distance cruisers. The range was also shortlisted for the prestigious Dame Award 2025.

Developed over three years in collaboration with brand ambassadors, including Vendée Globe and Ocean Race sailors, Ocean PRO is engineered to redefine extreme-weather protection through innovation and sustainability.

The core technology is the world’s first 4-Layer Hybrid Membrane Stretch Fabric, which delivers enhanced waterproofness, breathability, and flexibility compared to traditional offshore textiles. The fabric is rated for survival-grade waterproofness (35K) and exceptional breathability (14K). Overall, the unlined Ocean PRO garments are 17% lighter than comparable competitor products, offering easier packing, storage, and faster drying times.

“Ocean PRO represents a major leap forward in offshore protection,” said Knut Frostad, Executive Chairman at Henri-Lloyd. “It’s not just built to withstand the ocean — it’s built to empower sailors to perform at their peak, sustainably and comfortably, for longer than ever before.”

Key Features and Design

The Ocean PRO range includes specialized Offshore Jackets (men’s and women’s), a Hybrid Smock (unisex), and Hi-Fit Salopettes (men’s and women’s).

• Hybrid Smock: This innovative design is the first fully-zipped offshore smock with a removable collar, providing the protective seal of a smock but the ventilation and accessibility of a jacket.
• Offshore Jacket: Features include the Optivision Hood System, a removable face mask, photoluminescent safety details, and a removable inner jacket neoprene skirt to prevent wind and water ingress in extreme conditions.
• Fabric Composition: The technical specifications include a 100% recycled Polyamide Face Fabric, PFOA-free and PFC-free microporous coating and hydrophilic membrane, and Cordura stretch reinforcements at high-wear areas like the seat and knees.

Sustainability and Testing

Henri-Lloyd emphasized sustainability, noting that the range’s face fabric and mesh backing are sourced through pre-consumer recycling and verified by the Global Recycling Standard (GRS). The gear minimizes environmental impact by removing PFOA, PFOs, and other “forever chemicals.”

The Ocean PRO line was extensively tested across multi-day ocean passages. Vendée Globe sailor Sam Goodchild, one of the ambassadors who provided feedback, commented, “I’m very proud to be a part of the Henri Lloyd team who have a great heritage and experience in Offshore Sailing. It is great working with the team who are all enthusiastic and motivated to get Henri-Lloyd back to the top of the offshore race world. I’m excited to be part of this ambitious adventure!”

The Ocean PRO range will be available for purchase starting in March 2026.

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RiteAire Marine introduced its newest whole-vessel dehumidification system at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, giving owners of 40 to 50 foot cruising boats a purpose-built solution for year-round interior humidity control.

The new RAM 30 joins the company’s patented Whole Vessel Dehumidification System and extends RiteAire’s offerings to boats from 40 feet all the way to yachts over 125 feet. Designed specifically for smaller spaces, the RAM 30 delivers nearly five gallons of water removal per day when ducted into the full system.

The unit’s compact footprint is one of its standout features. At 14 inches wide, 30 inches high and only 5.75 inches deep, it can be tucked out of sight in tight mechanical spaces where larger RAM 75 and RAM 100 models would not fit.

“With the enormous popularity of cruising boats from 40 to 50 feet, we are proud to offer our patented whole-vessel solution for reducing humidity in this rapidly growing segment,” said RiteAire Marine Co-Owner Ted Reese.

The RAM 30 is designed to keep interiors dry, odor-free and comfortable in hot, humid climates where mold and moisture can take a toll on equipment, soft goods and onboard air quality. For cruising owners who store boats in the water year-round or make long seasonal passages, humidity control has become an increasingly important onboard system.

RiteAire Marine also announced that Ice Marine of North Palm Beach has joined its dealer and installer network. While the dealer appointment is part of the brand’s wider service growth, the company says the RAM 30 launch marks a major step toward making whole-vessel dehumidification more accessible to midsize-boat owners.

Since 2013 RiteAire Marine has installed its patented system on hundreds of yachts. The introduction of the RAM 30 further broadens the application of whole-vessel humidity management across a wider range of cruising boats.

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Iris Innovations has launched Photon, a compact 4K night vision CCTV camera designed to make safe nighttime navigation accessible to every boater. The new model promises exceptional visibility, even in near-total darkness, without relying on infrared or thermal imaging.

Whether cruising after dusk, fishing before sunrise, or running coastal patrols, Photon captures detailed full-color video in conditions as dark as starlight. Its ultra-sensitive 0.0003 lux minimum illumination and 4K resolution deliver clarity and situational awareness at a fraction of the cost of traditional thermal cameras.

“Photon is for anyone who wants to navigate with confidence after dark and can be used on any vessel—from leisure and sportfishing boats to yachts, commercial operators and law enforcement patrol craft,” said Carl Hitchcock, CEO of Iris Innovations. “It delivers extraordinary low-light performance at a fraction of the cost of thermal and other night vision cameras, and because it’s 4K, the detail and definition are outstanding.”

Built to marine-grade standards, the Photon is fully EN60945 EMC compliant and rated IP67 for durability in saltwater and harsh conditions. Power over Ethernet (PoE) simplifies installation, and each unit includes a rugged waterproof PoE injector.

The system integrates with major marine electronics brands, including Raymarine, Navico (Simrad, B&G, Lowrance), Furuno, and Garmin via Iris’s CMAC management system and IrisControl App for Garmin OneHelm.

“We’ve always focused on designing rugged, purpose-built cameras for demanding marine and commercial applications,” Hitchcock added. “With Photon, we’ve taken that expertise and combined it with cutting-edge low-light and 4K processing technology to deliver a camera that performs brilliantly at a price point that puts it within reach for all boat owners and operators.”

Set to debut at METSTRADE 2025 in Amsterdam, the Photon will retail for $1,295 and be available worldwide through Iris Innovations’ dealer network beginning in late November. Two lens options are offered: a standard 12mm lens for long-distance viewing and a 2.8mm super wide-angle lens for side, rear, or backup applications.For more details, visit boat-cameras.com.

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Instead of flash sales and doorbusters, Mustang Survival is again using Black Friday weekend to support clean oceans. The brand announced it will continue its Blue Friday initiative, donating funds to help remove plastic pollution from coastal waters and encouraging other companies to do the same.

Blue Friday launched in 2019 as a way for outdoor and marine brands to redirect the consumer rush toward environmental impact. For the third year, Mustang Survival will lead the effort and rally partners to contribute a portion of holiday sales to a nonprofit dedicated to ocean health.

“For the past two years, Mustang Survival has opted for Blue Friday instead of Black Friday,” said Anja Mueller, Mustang Survival’s director of marketing and e-commerce. “Our role is to grow the movement, amplify its impact, and invite more companies to take part.”

For 2025, all donations will support the Ocean Legacy Foundation, a Vancouver-based organization focused on removing and recycling ocean plastic. The campaign will help fund large-scale cleanups along British Columbia’s coast. According to the foundation, every $4 donated removes one pound of waste from the Pacific and redirects it to their recycling facility in Richmond, British Columbia.

“It’s rewarding to bring more intention to a season that’s often focused on spending,” Mueller said. “By helping continue the Blue Friday legacy, we’re giving people a chance to shop with purpose and support cleaner oceans.”

Mustang Survival is calling on like-minded marine and outdoor brands to participate and contribute to the Ocean Legacy Foundation this year. Sailors and consumers can also back the effort by choosing to shop with Blue Friday partners.

More information and partner registration details are available at blue-friday.ca.

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There are three types of boats. The first includes every possible spare and piece of gear that might be used. The second has hardly anything at all. The third has essential spares and gear, but is not overstocked.  

I like to sail on the third kind of boat, with the essentials. I recently completed a safety-at-sea course whose list of gear was so exhaustive that its cost was depressing, and the equipment would overwhelm the stowage areas on any yacht. I thought about that list and the three long-distance ocean races that I competed in over the summer. I was amazed by how many pieces of equipment we used to solve small and large problems. 

All of this got me to thinking about which equipment is considered essential, and why. Boats seem to gather an ever-increasing amount of gear. Once each year, I take every item off the boat and retain what’s useful while eliminating things that will not be used. It’s a good opportunity to review the inventory and make sailing more efficient.

Aboard my 32-foot day sailor, Whirlwind, I make sure to have the essentials: a paper navigation chart, life jackets appropriately sized for all crew, a sturdy anchor, a toolkit, a medical kit, spare lines, a VHF radio, a cellphone, fenders, dock lines, sunscreen and adequate drinking water. I ask each crewmember to bring a foul-weather jacket, sunglasses, a hat and boat shoes. 

On board, I include a boat hook, several buckets for bailing, an electric pump, hand-operated pumps, and a small box with fittings, shackles, clamps and various pieces that might be of use. My inventory fits easily in two lazarette boxes on either side of the boat and in the bow. 

After 10 years of sailing, I have fine-tuned the necessary equipment, along with instructions for each member of the crew. The essentials get more complicated for larger boats, but here is my list of essentials.

Boat Handling

Have an anchor, chain and line that are adequate for the size of the boat. If you need to anchor, you want it to hold. Have extra lines, including small stuff that can be used when something needs fastening. 

Keep all sails folded and ready to set. Make sure every crewmember understands how to start, run and stop the engine. Most important, take a moment to demonstrate how to operate the head. 

Before going out for a sail, hold a brief crew meeting to explain where the life jackets are located, and where the important safety equipment is stowed. Also assign specific tasks in case of an emergency. 

Comfort

Bring proper foul-weather gear. Even on warm days, a spray jacket is helpful. Insist that the crew wear boat shoes. Toes and feet are particularly susceptible to injury. No bare feet.  

Sun glare is tough on eyes. Sunglasses are a must. A wide-brim hat reduces sunburn.  

On cold or windy days, a pair of gloves is helpful. Find a dry place to store the crewmembers’ gear.

Communications

Carry a charged VHS radio, a cellphone and signal items (whistle, flares, horn, flags and a mirror).  Subscribe to at least one weather service to keep track of the forecast.

Engine

Keep a fire extinguisher near the engine in case of a fire, and make sure that extinguisher is up-to-date. 

Instruct the crew on how to operate the engine. An instructional manual is an essential item that has helped me many times when I’ve had engine troubles, which regular maintenance can help to avoid.

Medical

Carry a complete first-aid kit and enough drinking water for all hands. Dehydration is a common problem for many sailors. Also keep a good supply of sunscreen available, and ask the crew to reapply periodically. 

For people prone to seasickness, a scopolamine patch is an effective remedy available by prescription. 

Navigation

I believe boats should carry paper (or waterproof) charts of the area. Electronic aids are useful, but paper charts are the most reliable. I like when you can spread the chart on a table and visualize the sailing area.  

A GPS is also an important tool. Stow extra batteries for a handheld unit. I also always carry a copy of the Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book, which provides detailed information on tides and currents for the East Coast. 

I also keep a hand bearing compass, and test the running lights to make sure they will be on at night. A pair of binoculars is also useful.

Repair Kit

Carry a rustproof toolbox with a hammer, pliers, a wrench set, a screwdriver set, vice grips, a wire cutter, duct tape and a good knife. A hand pump, buckets and sponges augment an electric bilge pump.  

Also carry a collection of shackles, shock cord, fuses, fittings, blocks, cotter pins, equipment that can be used to jury rig something that breaks, and silicone spray.

Safety Gear

A properly sized life jacket is necessary for each member of the crew. For weak swimmers and in rough weather, PFD use should be mandatory. 

Carry a horn and a whistle in case you need to draw another boat’s attention. I also carry a package of flares. 

Have a flotation device ready to throw to anyone who might fall overboard. Post a list of the location of safety equipment.

 Larger boats carry life rafts. Respect the expiration date, and periodically get the raft renewed. Post of a list of all your safety equipment and where it is located. 

Sustainability

Carry all garbage ashore. Instruct the crew on proper use of the head.  

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Two marine innovators are joining forces to electrify a boating icon. Zodiac Nautic has partnered with Rhode Island-based Flux Marine to launch the first all-electric Zodiac Medline 6.8, powered by Flux Marine’s 115-horsepower outboard system. The collaboration will debut this week at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The new model pairs Zodiac’s popular 22-foot rigid inflatable hull with Flux Marine’s high-performance electric propulsion and modular battery system. The result, the companies say, is a fast, quiet, zero-emission RIB designed for a full day of cruising, fishing or watersports.

“With more than a century of innovation behind us, Zodiac Nautic is excited to join Flux Marine as we lead the way into the electrified future of marine propulsion,” said Tim March II, chief operations officer of Zodiac Nautic. “Our vessels have pioneered new ways to explore and enjoy the oceans, and this collaboration continues that legacy with sustainable, quiet power for the next generation of boating.”

The FM115 electric outboard delivers 115 continuous horsepower, with bursts up to 175 horsepower for quick acceleration and sporty handling. The system is powered by Flux Marine’s 84-kWh battery pack, offering an estimated cruising range of 25 to 30 miles, or more than 80 miles at low speeds.

“Zodiac has always been a symbol of adventure, innovation and performance on the water, and this collaboration allows us to demonstrate how high-powered electric marine propulsion can elevate the experience,” said Ben Sorkin, CEO of Flux Marine.

The Medline 6.8’s integrated digital helm lets boaters monitor performance in real time, while the Flux mobile app provides remote status updates. Charging options include standard 110-volt and 220-volt shore power or DC fast charging, which can top off the batteries in about 90 minutes.

With a starting price of $116,069, the electric Medline 6.8 is now available for pre-order, with deliveries beginning in 2026.

The model will be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 29 through November 2 (Booth 1011, Bahia Mar).

For more information, visit fluxmarine.com or zodiac-nautic.com.

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