... and this is your spot to fill in what bone-headed mistake you made by not bringing something you should have. Perhaps a lesson for others ? perhaps a few laughs at your own expense ?
For me yesterday - it was the seat !! I felt so stupid and the reason I have is the seat is permanently attached in AI#1 .. so for 3 years now I've never really considered it part of the checklist. Well, on AI#2 it isn't (Doh !!)
I thought maybe I'd use my PFD, but it was blowing pretty good and the water was very choppy so that Idea didn't last long.
Looking in the gear box and what I had available was my cooler (usually stored in the luggage compartment lashed behind rear Aka), my Pelikan waterproof box I keep my wallet, GPS, Phone, and keys in (usually goes in the round hatch right in front of seat), and the Hobie Dry bag with my 100' of rope and dry pants and top that usually get stowed under the front hood.
Hmm ... Ok, cooler against Xbar, Pelikan case on the other side where the back rest usually is (PFD will provide needed cushioning) and I'll sit on the drybag with the rope and clothes inside as a cushion
Worked well enough for me to be out almost 4 hours without being really too uncumfy at all ... but lesson learned and I'll have a seperate checklist for each boat now since there are differences
... Last year I was well out on the water into my day when I thought I'd troll for a bit. I went to get my lure box only to find I had forgotten it. Not muchyou can do for that but I did tie my spare bandana onto the rod end so at least I had a neat flag waiving and reminding me all day