These are some of the notes that Sim wrote when he was planning the journey

This gives you some idea of the preparation that went into this journey, also of how meticulous Sim is when he wants to do something

Boat? Size? Wood or Glass?
Single or Twin keel?
Masthead?
New or Secondhand?
If second hand, Survey?
If wood what sheathing? Copper or rubber?
Type of anti fouling?
Type of navigation lights?
Type of stove?
Vane gear?
Additional sails?

Base? Lyme? Bristol? Elsewhere?
Navigation Equipment
Charts and Books
Food and Drink
Medical Supplies
Bosun’s Stores
Clothing
Emergency Equipment
Toilet Sundries
Personal Gear
Recreational Gear
Fuel
Miscellaneous


BOAT
Ideally:
Glassfibre; 25ft min; Twin-keel
Masthead; New: Paraffin stove;
Electric & Paraffin lights; Vane gear;
Good ballast ratio; Self draining cockpit;
Pushpit and pulpit; Four berth
Long rear deck; No runners

Navigation Equipment
Compass
Log
Sextant
Chronometer
Ventometer
Barometer
Radio
Protractor
Pencils
Rubber
Dividers
Parallel Ruler
Hand Bearing Compass
Binoculars

Books and Charts
Admiralty Chart No 1229 Africa West Coast which includes all the Canary Islands
No 1876 Eastern Islands from Lanzerote to Gran Canaria
No. 1869 Western Islands from Gran Canaria to Hierro

Note: This list was never completed as we had lots more charts: from England to the Canary Islands to the West Indies, Panama, Galapagos, Marquesas, Tahiti, Raratonga, Tonga, Fiji and Australia. We found them the other day in my dad’s shed, slightly chewed by slaters in a couple of places but otherwise OK. If there’s someone out there who needs some charts, just ask.

Bosun’s Stores
Sails: - 1 Main 1 Genoa 3 Jibs 1 Raffee 1 Tri
Anchors: - 1 Large 1 Small 1 Weight
Cables: - 1 Chain 1 Nylon 4 Warps
Stays: - 1 Set spare
Halliards: -1 Set spare
Sheets: - 1 Set spare
Bottle Screws: - 4 spare
Shackles: - 12 spare
Clevis Pins: - 6 spare
Safety Pins: - 6 spare
Anti Fouling: - 1 gallon
Varnish: - 1 Quart
Boot Topping: -1 Quart
Deck Paint: - 1 Quart
Dinghy
Buckets: - 4
Bowls: - 3
Flags: - 1 set
Pumps: - 2
Sail needles, Eyelets, Thread, palm

Personal Clothing
Socks
Vests
Pants
Shirts
Shorts
Longs
S/S Pullovers
Tracksuit
Shoes
Hanks
L/S Pullovers
Pyjamas
Blankets
Sleeping Bag
Sunhat
Sou-wester
Oilskins

Emergency Equipment
Raft
Flares
Radar Reflector
Torch
Arms
Emergency Rations
Water
Fishing Gear
Matches
Solar Still
Lighter

Toilet Articles
Soap
Toothpaste
Razor & Blades
Talc
Shaving Cream
Toilet Paper
Flannel
Towels
Detergent
Clothes Pegs
Sunburn Cream