Your forward trampoline sounds like it could be a bad idea. based upon experiance. try a trianlged shaped net with one edge along the forward beam and the point of the net on the center about 3-4 ft forward. the heavy plastic chicken mesh/wire works well also. put your gear in water tight gear bags, REI has them fairly inexpensive. attach the bags on teathers and quick release knots so if you go over you can get rid of the wieght that will be pull the boat over. a hobie bob whould be an nice peice of x-tra saftey. carry all the local "land" AAA maps of the route (did this in mexico saved our butt when we emergancy beached in the middle of no where). as well as the marine maps. Paddle is a good idea. the best that i carry is a outrigger canoe paddle. wood with t-handle. very efficiant if you need to accully paddle and if you break the sterring you can steer the boat with this type of paddle up to about 10kts. carry a peice if "amsteel" 5/16 .or 1/4 or equvalant about 50 ft long. with that you can repair just everything to get you home including standing rigging. basic shackles, pins, etc. and a bicycle inner tube, a flat peice of 1/8 in rubber about 1ft sq. and duct tape. Think all worst case senarios thru. And have a blast sounds like a great trip.