Editing Cruising (maritime) (section)

== Equipment ==
Cruisers use a variety of equipment and techniques to make their voyages possible, or simply more comfortable. 
The use of wind vane [[Self-steering gear|self-steering]] was common on long-distance cruising yachts but is increasingly being supplemented or replaced by electrical auto-pilots.

[[Image:Solar panels on yacht at sea.jpg|thumb|right|The [[solar panel]]s on this {{convert|28|ft|m|adj=on}} yacht can keep her self-sufficient in electrical power.]]

Though in the past many cruisers had no means of generating [[electricity]] on board and depended on [[kerosene]] and dry-cell [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]], today electrical demands are much higher and nearly all cruisers have electrical devices such as lights, communications equipment and refrigeration.  Although most boats can generate power from their inboard engines, an increasing number carry auxiliary generators. Carrying sufficient fuel to power engine and generator over a long voyage can be a problem, so many cruising boats are equipped with other ancillary generating devices such as [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]]s, [[wind turbine]]s and towed turbines. Cruisers choosing to spend extended time in very remote locations with minimal access to marinas can opt to equip their vessels with [[watermaker]]s ([[reverse-osmosis]] seawater desalination units) used to convert sea water to potable [[fresh water]].

[[Communications satellite|Satellite communication]]s are becoming more common on cruising boats.  Many boats are now equipped with [[satellite telephone]] systems; however, these systems can be expensive to use, and may operate only in certain areas. Many cruisers still use [[High frequency|short wave]] maritime [[single-sideband modulation|SSB]] and [[amateur radio]], which has no running costs. These radios provide two-way voice communications, can receive weather fax graphics or [[GRIB]] files via a laptop computer, and with a compatible modem (e.g. [[PACTOR]]) can send and receive email at very slow speed. Such emails are usually limited to basic communication using plain text, without [[HTML]] formatting or attachments.

Awareness of impending [[weather]] conditions is particularly important to cruising sailors who are often far from safe harbours and need to steer clear of dangerous weather conditions.  Most cruising boats are equipped with a barometer or a weather station that records barometric pressure as well as temperature and provides rudimentary forecasting.  For more sophisticated weather forecasting, cruisers rely on their ability to receive forecasts by radio, phone or satellite.

In order to avoid collisions with other vessels, cruisers rely on a maintaining a regular watch schedule. At night, color-coded running lights help determine the position and orientation of vessels. [[Radar]] and [[Automatic identification system|AIS]] systems are often employed to detect vessels positions and movement in all conditions (day, night, rain and fog).

Cruisers navigate using paper charts and [[radar]].  Modern yachts are often also equipped with a [[chartplotter]] which enables the use of electronic charts and is linked to [[GPS]] satellites that provide position reports.  Some chartplotters have the ability to interface charts and radar images.  Those that still wish to work with traditional charts as well as with GPS may do so using a [[Yeoman Plotter]]. Certain advanced sailing vessels have a completely [[automated sailing system]] which includes a plotter, as well as course correcting through a link with the ship's steering organs (e.g. sails, propeller). One such device can be found at the [[The Maltese Falcon (yacht)|Maltese Falcon]].

There are also sails made with cruising in mind. Sailing downwind is always enjoyable, but there is a vast difference as to how easy it is to manage - especially [[Shorthanded sailing|short-handed]]. This is where furling sails come into play, and these vary from the more specialized types of [https://elvstromsails.com/sail-technology/furling/ furling] [[Spinnaker|spinnakers]] to combined products such as the blue water runner-type of sails.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elvstrøm Sails Blue Water Runner |url=https://elvstromsails.com/sail-technology/sail-types/blue-water-runner/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=elvstromsails.com |language=en-US}}</ref>