Preparation - Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor's Guide to the Coconut Milk Run - page 31

On Deck
On hot tropical days, it's vital to shade the deck from the sun. We created a large deck awn-
ing for days spent at anchor from an old sail and used smaller hatch covers underway. As
for cockpit shade, we like having a system that folds back easily for those glorious nights
under a starry sky. The biggest improvement we made to it came when we paid a New Zea-
land canvas maker to replace and redesign our aging bimini. She added an infill flap that
zipped into the open slot between the dodger and the bimini - a simple addition that made a
huge difference to perceived space on board. We used it at anchor on rainy days to create a
protected space in the cockpit. The new bimini also came with a rain-catcher fitting which
helped us augment our fresh water supply.
Many sources recommend carrying a hard-sided dinghy for the coral shores of the Pacific,
but this wasn't an option given our deck space. We used a mid-sized inflatable Zodiac
throughout the trip, and though the dinghy floor was heavily patched by the time we ar-
rived in Australia, the outer shell never suffered a puncture. It was small enough to fit on
deck for short day trips in good weather, but for longer passages, we always deflated and
lashed it at the foot of the mast (for lack of locker space). The outboard sat on a bracket on
the stern rail and we used a pulley system to lower it with relative ease. Sounds complic-
ated, but we could have the dinghy and outboard stowed very quickly once we got the hang
of it.
A small cruising boat doesn't have much room for fun extras, like the kayak I always
dreamed of. I finally got my wish in a sturdy inflatable model that could be bundled into a
relatively small space in the cockpit locker. My fears that the kayak would meet an early
demise against the coral of the Pacific were for naught, and it performed well in all but the
strongest cross-winds thanks to an attachable skeg. The kayak served several functions: as
a secondary dinghy, so our crew could go to two different places at the same time; as a
vehicle for shallow-water exploration; and finally, as a playtime platform for the kids while
at anchor.