Harry,

Your list of "absolute necessity birding & boating supplies" is
worthy of another article in the Yellowthroat!

The one item missing from your list, surprisingly (unless I missed
it) is a VHF radio.  If one goes aground or loses engine power, this
can save an awful lot of ulcers and spending long cold nights in the
boat.  Hand-held versions can be had for under $100 now and that
seems like another cheap piece of insurance.  Do you have one and
just forgot to list it?

Our 15' deep-V skiff--the MD Osprey (no kidding)--never goes in the
water without the depth finder, the GPS unit, and the VHF all tested
and running.  Overkill?  Yeah, but ain't consumerism grand???

Best,
Norm

================================
Norm Saunders
Colesville & West Ocean City, MD