Tom.B
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2009
- Messages
- 5,839
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Skinny Dippin'
- Vessel Make
- Navigator 4200 Classic
I got a $300 gift certificate for xmas and want to ask some advice on my options for spending it. It's a little more of a light-hearted topic, but thought it would be fun to get you guy's take on my dilemma. I am not opposed to adding more money into the pot to get what I need. The answer could be a combination of items too.
Here are my ideas:
Emergency boarding ladder - This goes with the topic a few months back about what could my wife do if I fell overboard. While it won't solve the problem, it would be a nice thing to have if we are swimming and the dinghy is clipped to the swim platform. Storage might be the negative. (~$150)
Fish finder - Again, another topic we discussed (maybe that was at BoaterEd). We currently only have a depth sounder that displays just a number and I'd like to see a graphic representation of the bottom while cruising the ICW. ($80-$180)
Life Jackets - The current crop of life vests onboard isn't that great. In fact, it kind of sucks. It meets USCG regs, but none of them really fit us very well. The one that does is in rather poor shape. We looked at the air-powered ones, but don't really like them very much. So the plan is to, at the very least, get a few Type II devices that fit real people. (~$150 for 2)
Fenders - We currently have three for a 35' trawler and all three are different sizes. It would be nice to have 4 or 6 that all match and are of equal size. (~$250)
Fender holders - The kind that store them on the railings. (~$250)
Handheld VHF - Lots of uses. Were going to use for dinghy comm and as a backup on the flybridge. (the second VHF is at the lower helm)
Magma grill parts - Hardly worth mentioning, but we need about $80 in parts for it.
Inverter - Certainly we cannot afford a Magnum or Charles true wave inverter, but TBH, I don't see us needing one right now. A simple X Freedom 1800 will do what we need for the moment. Besides, we don't really have the battery power to have one much larger. It would also be our backup charger. (~$500)
Binoculars - The admiral needs a pair for herself. Mine are very nice Minolta 10x70, but the high 10x power rating is a bit unstable for boating in rough seas. But the optics are so nice, I'd like to get some 7x50 that can hold their own against them. Not the cheap crap. However, I don't think WM carries "good" binocs. (~$200)
Knife - What we have now would hardy cut hot butter. Was looking to get a good utility diving knife. Once again, I'm unsure if WM is the place to buy this. Perhaps a dive shop might be a better idea. ($100)
Let me hear your ideas. Maybe there is something I missed that would be good to add to the list. I'm open to all suggestions. Looking forward to your input!
Tom-
Here are my ideas:
Emergency boarding ladder - This goes with the topic a few months back about what could my wife do if I fell overboard. While it won't solve the problem, it would be a nice thing to have if we are swimming and the dinghy is clipped to the swim platform. Storage might be the negative. (~$150)
Fish finder - Again, another topic we discussed (maybe that was at BoaterEd). We currently only have a depth sounder that displays just a number and I'd like to see a graphic representation of the bottom while cruising the ICW. ($80-$180)
Life Jackets - The current crop of life vests onboard isn't that great. In fact, it kind of sucks. It meets USCG regs, but none of them really fit us very well. The one that does is in rather poor shape. We looked at the air-powered ones, but don't really like them very much. So the plan is to, at the very least, get a few Type II devices that fit real people. (~$150 for 2)
Fenders - We currently have three for a 35' trawler and all three are different sizes. It would be nice to have 4 or 6 that all match and are of equal size. (~$250)
Fender holders - The kind that store them on the railings. (~$250)
Handheld VHF - Lots of uses. Were going to use for dinghy comm and as a backup on the flybridge. (the second VHF is at the lower helm)
Magma grill parts - Hardly worth mentioning, but we need about $80 in parts for it.
Inverter - Certainly we cannot afford a Magnum or Charles true wave inverter, but TBH, I don't see us needing one right now. A simple X Freedom 1800 will do what we need for the moment. Besides, we don't really have the battery power to have one much larger. It would also be our backup charger. (~$500)
Binoculars - The admiral needs a pair for herself. Mine are very nice Minolta 10x70, but the high 10x power rating is a bit unstable for boating in rough seas. But the optics are so nice, I'd like to get some 7x50 that can hold their own against them. Not the cheap crap. However, I don't think WM carries "good" binocs. (~$200)
Knife - What we have now would hardy cut hot butter. Was looking to get a good utility diving knife. Once again, I'm unsure if WM is the place to buy this. Perhaps a dive shop might be a better idea. ($100)
Let me hear your ideas. Maybe there is something I missed that would be good to add to the list. I'm open to all suggestions. Looking forward to your input!
Tom-