Most cruisers spend a lot more time anchored or moored in lovely places than they do sailing because cruising is supposed to be relaxing, fun and full of daily adventures along the shoreline and ashore. There are reefs to dive on, beaches to explore, villages to shop in and shoreside restaurants where you can enjoy an evening out.

Part and parcel of the cruising life is having the right toys aboard. The dinghy is usually a cruisers first fun plaything, and a good one with a hard bottom and a powerful engine can really expand your explorations of every anchorage. Toys that go with a good dinghy can include a hookah snorkel – ing system, dive tanks, snorkeling gear or even a wakeboard.
A sailing dinghy is a great addi – tion to a cruising boat. Not only does it add a second “car” so crew can be more independent, but it also provides a fine way to explore harbors and anchorages and will help new sailors get a feel for the wind, steering and balance.Paddleboarding is the new rage and you will see many cruising boats and charter boats with one or more boards lashed to the lifelines or trailing astern. The new inflatable models from SHUBU can be stowed away neatly when you go to sea. Check out one of our favorites on page 39. In the same vein, a sailboard or two can be great for exercise and fun harbor skimming.

To kayak or not to kayak? That is the question. A lot of cruisers like to kayak and there are a number of models that will fit on an average cruising boat. But they are bulky and can be inconvenient obstacles on deck, particularly at sea when you have dinghies and paddleboards on deck, too. Walker Bay makes an inflatable kayak that rolls into a fairly small package, which may be the right solution for you. Or check out the Hobie on page 39 for a small, versatile anglers model.

Those heading to the hot climates of the Med or tropics will be spending a lot of time swimming, so inflatable rafts and swimming noodles will be much appreciated by sweltering crew seeking refuge in the water. Plus, they are easy to stow when you are underway.

Spearfishing is a fun way to catch dinner and allows you to really get to know the local flora and fauna below the surface. Free diving with a good mask, snorkel and spear gun is the simplest way to go, but adding a wetsuit and weight belt and then upping the ante to real SCUBA diving will certainly add to the catch. You need to be aware of local regulations and customs before you start shooting. And, talk to locals about sharks…

If you are averse to shooting your supper, you can still feed the crew from the sea with a good fishing and trolling rig. You can spend a fortune on a deep sea rod and reel or two, or you can assemble a simple rig with an old – fashioned bobbin, a length of shock cord and a heavy fishing line. Learning to fish successfully can make a huge difference to your diet while cruising. And if you are venturing into areas where you expect to find shellfish on the mud and sand banks, a clam rake and bucket are all you need to fill the pot with clams, soft shell clams, mussels and more. Foraging is fun, and fresh shellfish are always the tastiest.

All this activity can be exhausting, so it is a good idea to have a couple of places on the boat to relax and perhaps take a well earned nap. Hammocks are the right tools for this important job. A simple all – string hammock hung over the foredeck will be an excellent spot for watching sunsets, or you can hang his and hers versions forward from the headstay back to the sidestays. Defender sells a great model. For easy relaxing anywhere on the boat, Sport – a – Seats are really comfortable and fold up flat when stowed away.

Given that cruisers are known to enjoy a sundowner at days end, why not make some daiquiris or rum punch? All you need is a 12 – volt blender, a few ingredients and a little imagination. Theres even an attachment called the Boatblender that will turn your cordless drill into a portable blender! And if you are into being self – sufficient, a breadmaking machine can keep you supplied with fresh bread no matter where you are. Also in the appliance category, a vacuum bagger will help you preserve foods for a long time and will keep spare parts dry for years.

You can really go overboard with appliances. Recently, we saw a nifty wine fridge installed on a 45 – footer that runs on 12 volts and will keep wine at exactly the right temperature. We have also seen a miniature Miele dishwasher on a 50 – footer that uses a modest amount of water. And, we are finding microwaves running off large inverters everywhere.
Running all of the systems, gadgets and appliances that you give each other for the holidays means you will need a lot of electricity. So, the really useful gift this holiday season might just be a pair of solar panels and a wind generator that will keep the batteries topped up so you can whip up those daiquiris whenever you want. Just a thought.