I'll offer too - I'll be doing some of the inspections again if you want to run anything by me: BobsailsSF at the yahoo place.
I lined up the 2009 equipment list (available at the link I posted in the "Qualifier" thread) with the 2011 draft and they are nearly identical. The main addition this year is an AIS receiver (unless you already have radar w/perimeter alarm). AIS is a great piece of gear if you ever go outside the Gate and it was required for the last SH TransPac. With LongPac you spend a lot of time around the shipping lanes - just about the time you're clear of them it's time to turn around and head back through them again. AIS is what you want for that.
I know it's a repeat but here's a brief summary of the AIS options:
The cheapest option (as little as $200) is a receiver that overlays the AIS data on your laptop's chart software. This option assumes you have a laptop on board and have the juice to keep it running - if you want to be warned about approaching ships (which is kind of the idea, right?). You'll need to crank your computer speakers up enough to hear the AIS's alarm or have some way to accomplish the same thing.
The next option is still my favorite - a stand-alone AIS receiver that is always on, not dependent on a laptop (and the juice to keep it running), has its own screen so I can see where I am relative to the ships, and has its own alarm. Even with the bad exchange rate the best deal going, at about $316 after conversion, is this:
http://www.allgadgets.co.uk/marine/pc/NASA-Clipper-AIS-Radar-32p115.htm
You can get the same unit with Si-Tex's name on it for $460 at Defender. I've had the NASA unit for five years and it works fine - I just used it Saturday for the Lightship race.
Next up in price ($500-$700) is a toss-up between the Watchmate screen plus an AIS receive unit, or some of the name brand receivers without a screen (again, using your laptop). They are discontinuing the Watchmate - Defender only has one left as of this morning.
Top end is an AIS
transceiver, which will enable the ships to receive a signal from you as well. By the way, so will your competitors. Without a screen these are $700-$900, or well over a boat buck for a stand-alone unit with screen.
Besides the AIS unit itself you need an antenna and GPS input. For an antenna, just mount your required emergency VHF antenna on the stern pulpit and use that - it works fine. Alternatively you can install a powered splitter and send the VHF signal to your AIS from the masthead VHF antenna.
GPS input is as simple as one wire from your GPS's plug. For the NASA unit (and I assume most others) the GPS needs to output NMEA.
I forgot one other option - Standard Horizon sells a VHF radio with built-in GPS and AIS. The AIS screen is tiny/hard to read and I don't know what it does for an alarm, but it's worth a look if you need a VHF anyway.
. If you plan to rent a liferaft and/or EPIRB, you can have your inspection now pending these items. We can check you off as final once you have these items on the boat near race time.