i am leaving monday night to the bvi for a week of sailing! i thought i would ask the experts what they forgot to bring or wished they brought on their bareboat trip. thanks and merry christmas mike
what did you forget to bring???
- Thread starter duality
- Start date
- Status
mike
You'll love it! Leave half the clothes you packed home. T shirts and a bathing suit is all you will be wearing. Sun screen and a cold wet face cloth are a must. And of course, your sunglasses with a neck strap!! Disposable under water cameras are great also. I think I took as many pictures under water as I did above. Let's hear from you when you get back. Merry Christmas
You'll love it! Leave half the clothes you packed home. T shirts and a bathing suit is all you will be wearing. Sun screen and a cold wet face cloth are a must. And of course, your sunglasses with a neck strap!! Disposable under water cameras are great also. I think I took as many pictures under water as I did above. Let's hear from you when you get back. Merry Christmas
Bathing suits
that dry quickly and soap on a rope. You live in a bathing suit and you will get wet sailing thru the small rain storms. The are everywhere and you can see thru them, so you don't even try to go around. And the soap on a rope is so you can take your shower on the swim platform and not drop the soap. Good luck.
that dry quickly and soap on a rope. You live in a bathing suit and you will get wet sailing thru the small rain storms. The are everywhere and you can see thru them, so you don't even try to go around. And the soap on a rope is so you can take your shower on the swim platform and not drop the soap. Good luck.
Some ideas...
Sunscreen. If you use #15 at home, bring #30. Make sure it is waterproof. Put it on in the morning before you put your suit on, that way you cover everything. re-apply ever few hours to the exposed spots that hit the sun the most. Make sure you get your backside well before you go snorkeling, the water reflects and amplifies the sun. Your prescriptions with enough to cover you for your complete trip. Your passport! I forgot mine once, and it was hell getting out and back in the country. CD's: Most boats have a car type Stereo with a CD player. So bring tunes, but remember to not play them too loud at night. Books: Bring a few paperbacks/magazines. I recommend John D. McDonald, Clive Cussler, and Carl Hiaasen. If you don't want to bring them back, give them to Sydney. Cruisers and liveaboards are always looking for something new to read. What not to bring: Anything else! You don't need hair dryers, more shoes, socks, dress clothes. If you have to ask yourself if you need something, the answer is a resounding no! Seriously, the lighter you pack, the happier you will be. Shoes are rarely worn, even ashore to dinner, and almost never on a sailboat. Whenever I go, I buy at least 6 t-shirts, which I wear, and sometimes a pair of shorts. You can rinse off swim suits the one or two times you shower, and just let everything else dry in the sun. Just make sure you tie them down so they do not sail off the boat.
Sunscreen. If you use #15 at home, bring #30. Make sure it is waterproof. Put it on in the morning before you put your suit on, that way you cover everything. re-apply ever few hours to the exposed spots that hit the sun the most. Make sure you get your backside well before you go snorkeling, the water reflects and amplifies the sun. Your prescriptions with enough to cover you for your complete trip. Your passport! I forgot mine once, and it was hell getting out and back in the country. CD's: Most boats have a car type Stereo with a CD player. So bring tunes, but remember to not play them too loud at night. Books: Bring a few paperbacks/magazines. I recommend John D. McDonald, Clive Cussler, and Carl Hiaasen. If you don't want to bring them back, give them to Sydney. Cruisers and liveaboards are always looking for something new to read. What not to bring: Anything else! You don't need hair dryers, more shoes, socks, dress clothes. If you have to ask yourself if you need something, the answer is a resounding no! Seriously, the lighter you pack, the happier you will be. Shoes are rarely worn, even ashore to dinner, and almost never on a sailboat. Whenever I go, I buy at least 6 t-shirts, which I wear, and sometimes a pair of shorts. You can rinse off swim suits the one or two times you shower, and just let everything else dry in the sun. Just make sure you tie them down so they do not sail off the boat.
Don't Over Pack
Mike, The previous posts are correct. Don't over pack. You'll buy T-shirts down there so don't bring many from home. Pack light enough to avoid checking your bags. Duffle bags will work best since storage on the boat for luggage will be minimal. Definitely bring CD's. I burned copies of my favorite music and brought those instead of the origanals. No big deal if they get lost or ruined. It may seem strange at first but buy two or three small blinking bicycle lights. They can be attached to the life lines of your boat before going ashore. Sure makes it easier to find the boat after dark and after a few Rum drinks. Other items we've used are a small 12V inverter to charge cell phones and camera batteries. You'll take a lot of pictures. Extra film or memory chips will be cheaper up here than there. Hand held VHF or Family talk radios to communicate ship to shore come in very handy when only part of the crew has gone ashore. Clips that connect your hat to your shirt are a MUST. Bring your GPS. Some boats have them but it's much easier to use one that you're familiar with. Snorkle and fins are usually provided for you with the larger companies so no need to bring them. I brought a pair of cheap sunglass readers from Walgreens for relaxing on deck with a magazine. If you're traveling with another couple compare some of these items that don't need to be duplicated. Jeff
Mike, The previous posts are correct. Don't over pack. You'll buy T-shirts down there so don't bring many from home. Pack light enough to avoid checking your bags. Duffle bags will work best since storage on the boat for luggage will be minimal. Definitely bring CD's. I burned copies of my favorite music and brought those instead of the origanals. No big deal if they get lost or ruined. It may seem strange at first but buy two or three small blinking bicycle lights. They can be attached to the life lines of your boat before going ashore. Sure makes it easier to find the boat after dark and after a few Rum drinks. Other items we've used are a small 12V inverter to charge cell phones and camera batteries. You'll take a lot of pictures. Extra film or memory chips will be cheaper up here than there. Hand held VHF or Family talk radios to communicate ship to shore come in very handy when only part of the crew has gone ashore. Clips that connect your hat to your shirt are a MUST. Bring your GPS. Some boats have them but it's much easier to use one that you're familiar with. Snorkle and fins are usually provided for you with the larger companies so no need to bring them. I brought a pair of cheap sunglass readers from Walgreens for relaxing on deck with a magazine. If you're traveling with another couple compare some of these items that don't need to be duplicated. Jeff
A GPS in the BVIs????
Why waste the time, just look around, that's why you're there. Great way to practice "traditional" navigation.
Why waste the time, just look around, that's why you're there. Great way to practice "traditional" navigation.
Stu, If you get caught in a storm
and blown out of sight of land at night and can see no sky glow. It will be nice to be able to fix your position. If you happen to be east of your island, sailing west will get you closer, but if you are west of the island, then sailing west may get you to Florida. Take either a GPS or a sextant.
and blown out of sight of land at night and can see no sky glow. It will be nice to be able to fix your position. If you happen to be east of your island, sailing west will get you closer, but if you are west of the island, then sailing west may get you to Florida. Take either a GPS or a sextant.
Most charter operators won't let you sail after...
dark. That being said, I wouldn't go without my handheld GPS. Just a fun toy to have with you, but also great back up in the event of the unanticipated emergency. If you don't know where you are when you run aground, you can always give the Lat/Lon. coordinates to the charter operators for their support boat.
dark. That being said, I wouldn't go without my handheld GPS. Just a fun toy to have with you, but also great back up in the event of the unanticipated emergency. If you don't know where you are when you run aground, you can always give the Lat/Lon. coordinates to the charter operators for their support boat.
Here a List
Whenever I bring someone to the islands, I usually give them this list. So I hope it helps! And have FUN!!! Things to bring: Some things will be supplied on the boat or may have been left by previous charterers. But we have always found these to come in handy: • Passports (nowadays, absolutely!) . A One-time-use underwater camera. You won't regret it. • Music CD’s • Sail Gloves (if desired) • Small personal flashlight that fits in your pocket & extra batteries – great for the nighttime dinghy runs ashore. • H/H GPS and batteries for your own peace of mind. (Not required, but fun to have. All navigation is by line-of-sight). • H/H VHF Radio and charger or batteries – this may come in handy for our group to communicate. Boats are equipped with regular VHF radios installed, also. • Enough Sun screen (15 SPF minimum) – your call. • Note pad for a log. So you won’t forget. • Swim Towels (they may not be supplied on the boat). • Leatherman multi-tool (or the like) (Not required, but boats have limited tools aboard) • Flip Flops • Clothespins – they always disappear from the boats. A must for drying clothes/towels. Leave them aboard for the next charterers when you leave. • Sun Glasses (I forgot mine in the car at home in the parking garage last time. I didn’t need them at 6:00am the day we left). • Your own snorkel, if you so desire. I wouldn't want to use another person's toothbrush..Would you? • Your personal prescriptions/medication. • Reef-walkers, wind surfer shoes, etc. You can get them wet while walking in the water or some beaches or sites. • A drink “coozie” will keep your drinks cool in the heat. These may be available on the boat but can be purchased while there. • Laundry Bag for personal items • If you ship your bags, carry a 1-2 day “personal bag” with you. • Dramamine or Bonine if you need it. • Zip-Loc Bags to dispose “personal” paper. It is now the “standard” with the larger charter companies to request that all “personal” paper be bagged and held on board for proper disposal.
Whenever I bring someone to the islands, I usually give them this list. So I hope it helps! And have FUN!!! Things to bring: Some things will be supplied on the boat or may have been left by previous charterers. But we have always found these to come in handy: • Passports (nowadays, absolutely!) . A One-time-use underwater camera. You won't regret it. • Music CD’s • Sail Gloves (if desired) • Small personal flashlight that fits in your pocket & extra batteries – great for the nighttime dinghy runs ashore. • H/H GPS and batteries for your own peace of mind. (Not required, but fun to have. All navigation is by line-of-sight). • H/H VHF Radio and charger or batteries – this may come in handy for our group to communicate. Boats are equipped with regular VHF radios installed, also. • Enough Sun screen (15 SPF minimum) – your call. • Note pad for a log. So you won’t forget. • Swim Towels (they may not be supplied on the boat). • Leatherman multi-tool (or the like) (Not required, but boats have limited tools aboard) • Flip Flops • Clothespins – they always disappear from the boats. A must for drying clothes/towels. Leave them aboard for the next charterers when you leave. • Sun Glasses (I forgot mine in the car at home in the parking garage last time. I didn’t need them at 6:00am the day we left). • Your own snorkel, if you so desire. I wouldn't want to use another person's toothbrush..Would you? • Your personal prescriptions/medication. • Reef-walkers, wind surfer shoes, etc. You can get them wet while walking in the water or some beaches or sites. • A drink “coozie” will keep your drinks cool in the heat. These may be available on the boat but can be purchased while there. • Laundry Bag for personal items • If you ship your bags, carry a 1-2 day “personal bag” with you. • Dramamine or Bonine if you need it. • Zip-Loc Bags to dispose “personal” paper. It is now the “standard” with the larger charter companies to request that all “personal” paper be bagged and held on board for proper disposal.
Preions are pre.s.c.r.i.p.t.ions.
This site seems to strip out s.c.r.i.p.t wherever it finds it. So de.s.c.r.i.p.t.ion becomes deion, etc.
This site seems to strip out s.c.r.i.p.t wherever it finds it. So de.s.c.r.i.p.t.ion becomes deion, etc.
- Status