Essential Gear for a Delaware River Daysail

[5hortBu5]

Hi Folks,

If my tow vehicle is up and running by then, I'm considering a short jaunt up and down a bit of the Delaware river on Sunday. I plan on riding the tide from the boat ramp in Pennsauken up to the Riverton Yacht Club, then turning around at about the slack tide, and making the return trip.

Sure, it's only about 7 nautical miles, but it should chew up a good amount of time in my Javelin.

Here's my question: What's the essential gear for such a trip? There's not a lot of room in the Javelin, and so far, PFDs, a paddle and sunscreen have done me fine on the no-motor-traffic Cooper River.

I definitely plan to add a whistle to the inventory for signalling, but I wonder about things like VHF transceivers and whatnot. Assuming I stay very clear of the shipping lane (with a 6" draft, that shouldn't be trouble), can I get by with a whistle, floats, and a paddle, or am I nuts for considering it?

[WanderingStar]

Add an anchor, a bailer, and a windbreaker. I sailed through NYC with about that on a 20' sloop. Don't ever cross the bow of a commercial vessel, they're moving faster than you think.

[Ulladh]

You will be sailing in navigable waters patroled by various law enforcement agencies including USCG, carry all required safety gear including PFD, flares, horn, floatation cushions throw ring,...

Don't forget to bring documenation; boat registration and NJ safe boater card.

Extremly unlikely you will get stopped by law enforcement but it is possible.

Yes carry a VHF and stay tuned to 16.

Don't forget to take water and some snacks.

[deniseO30]

when encountering big wakes.. and you will don't want them to hit you broadside. I try to take them at an angle and sometimes we go right across them to do a big hobby horse act.. sometimes the big boats slow AFTER

[deniseO30]

riverton YC has races why don't you ck out when? J22's I've heard.