Julie,
Concerning extra gear on the boat. After you have had the boat a few  
seasons, go back through everything you have put on her. If you haven't used  
something in the past year, the odds are that you didn't need it in the first  
place.......get rid of it. I go through RumRunner every fall and remove  accumulated 
stuff. You wouldn't believe the crap I've found. Of course, the  reserve rum 
supply always remains on board.
 
Rummy