if you plan to go offshore, and since you are a newbie based on this post, I suggest you also consider the equipment the regulars use. Spare bilge pump with separate battery for the cockpit, EPIRB if you plan on really getting out there, 2 way radio since you might be out of cell range, compass encase your electronics get wacked....can't be too careful out there. I did it for a week at a FOM nationals and "fortunately" the wind blew so hard (20mph+ SUSTAINED, very few (I didn't even consider it) ventured outside the bay (Erie @ Presque Isle Bay).. I saw legitimate 10 footers there (yes, CG advisory in effect 1 day), but they were so big and flat and the period between them, IF you knew what you were doing, you could run 18 miles northeast and fish for the bigger smallies (winners did). I did see a rookie trying to go out that had his nose straight up in the air and was very lucky to not have been flipped over backwards....though he did spear the next wave when the nose came down.....