Another Top Ten list…it’s just like David Letterman. This is my list of the best optional items on a cruising sailboat. We’ll assume you’ve got good sails, rigging, a functioning rudder etc. This isn’t a list of the basic parts of a boat, but a list of where you may or may not choose to spend your money when deciding on additional gear. These are all things you could do without, or go cheap on, but I’m recommending them, or recommending you don’t go cheap on them, for the reasons below. It’s a question of long term liveaboard comfort and sustainability: If you’re just cruising for a season, you don't need any of this crap, and I recommend you keep things simple, but if you’re setting out with the intention of spending a few years out there, these items will make life better. If I didn’t start out with these items, I added them along the way:

1. Windvane:

I'm always asked my favorite stop on my circumnavigation, and it’s hard to give a short answer. This is the long answer, but it’s still hard not to ruminate, equivocate, and qualify. To make my list they must be outstanding all-around places to sail, anchor, live aboard, go ashore, and all the things that cruising entails:

1. Andaman Thailand (photo above):