Savvy Packing List

A guide for what to pack and what to leave home for your warm weather sailing adventure

Getting ready for you sailing adventure and not sure what to take? Here are a few tips and then a list of items you might use as a guide for packing.

For starters, Savvy Sailing Girls recommends you take very little with you… about ONE QUARTER of what you usually take and think you’ll need. Seriously. Chances are you’ll end up wearing the same things anyway and most things you’ll want to take can be rinsed out easily if need be. Storage space is at a premium and very limited on board, so you won’t have much of it available to you. If you can live without something, leave it at home. Especially in warm weather, you need very little. You’ll spend most days in swimwear and board shorts.

Pack in a soft-sided folding duffel bag. Unless it’s a huge catamaran, a boat does not have storage room for a hard suitcase. A waterproof duffel bag is ideal; you can fold it into a small size. A 50- to 70-liter duffel bag is a good size.

Check what is provided on board so you don’t have to bring it: towels, sheets, 12-volt USB charger, PFD (personal flotation device), mask, snorkel, and fins, etc. If it’s a charter boat there will be very few things on board.

Pack for the destination you’re going to and the adventures you’re planning to have. The packing list here is more for warm weather, island hopping and coastal sailing trips.

Luggage

• Duffel bag – 50-70 liters and preferably foldable for easy storage on board
• Waterproof day backpack about 20-25 liters
• Packing cubes – various sizes will help keep things organized and wrinkle free while traveling and on board. SSG lives in packing cubes!
• Tote bags and fabric shopping bags for storage and plastic-free provisioning

Clothing

• 1 sailing jacket or windbreaker – light-weight
• 1 sweater
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 long-sleeved shirt for sun protection – light-weight
• 3 tank tops
• 2 fast-drying shorts or board shorts. Stretchy, fast drying and breathable fabrics are comfortable.
• 7 underwear – quick-drying if possible
• 1 long pants – light-weight and quick-drying if possible
• 2 sleep wear – it can get hot in the sleeping cabins, so bring something light
• 1 outfit for going out on shore to a nice restaurant or bar
• 3 swimsuits
• 1 rash guard lycra swim top for sun protection and also bottom if there will be jellies around
• Sports bra (for girl sailors)
• 1 sarong and/or cover up for getting out of the water and sun protection. It’s also handy if you are using a back-deck shower – easy to slip on and off and provides some measure of privacy
• Sunglasses, glasses, contact lenses, as well as reading glasses if needed
• 1 leash for sunglasses to make sure you don’t lose them
• 1 cap or hat for sun protection
• 1 leash to attach cap to shirt or other attire so you don’t lose it in the wind
• 1 bandana – good for so many things from sweat management to hair control

Shoes

• 1 pair flip-flops/sandals – non-marking (no black soles) shoes
• 1 pair rubber/water/shower flip-flops/sandals
• 1 pair hiking/running shoes – non-marking (no black soles)

Toiletries, Medications, and Misc.

• Sunscreen (try to find ocean-friendly varieties)
• Lip balm with SPF – tinted lip balm is also nice for going out
• Eye shades – it can be bright on board, so it may help you sleep better, especially if you’re light-sensitive
• Ear plugs – there are lots of unfamiliar noises on a boat, so these are useful, especially if you’re noise-sensitive
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss… yes you need to floss daily!
• Shampoo and conditioner – try to find ocean friendly varieties as it all goes straight into the sea
• Hair ties and clips
• Washcloth or wash mitt
• Feminine products if you are still in the years of needing them
• Dish-washing soap – ocean friendly! Bring a small amount of this to rinse out clothing. It cuts sweat and grease and rinses out with less water than other products
• 6 Laundry clips – unless available on board, so your swimsuit and tank tops don’t blow away while on the railing drying
• All personal medications for the duration of the trip + 5 days
• Seasick pills (good idea to have even if you think you don’t need them)
• Imodium or other anti-diuretic (good idea to have even if you think you don’t need them)
• 1 headlamp
• 1 sewing kit – small travel-sized
• 1 pocket knife (but make sure it’s in your checked luggage if flying)
• 1 water bottle – reusable

Entertainment

• Mask, snorkel, and fins (unless available on board or easy to rent)
• E-reader and E-books
• Music
• Camera (or phone)
• Charging cables
• 12V USB car charger
• Local country or universal adapter if traveling internationally

Money and Paperwork

• Valid passport (with 6 months beyond trip end date)
• Visa if required
• Invitation letter from skipper to join boat as crew
• Copy of skipper’s passport photo page
• Printed copy of boat registration
• Cash – enough to get you there, back, and pay for everything during the trip
• Debit and credit cards
• Immunization list (yellow card) if required
• Proof of crew insurance or personal liability insurance if required

What NOT to bring

• Don’t bring too much of anything (except excitement and good attitude!)
• Don’t bring a hard suitcase, even one with just a hard bottom and soft top. There is no storage space for that.
• Don’t bring too many (warm) clothes. You’ll end up wearing the same things anyway.
• Don’t bring too many shoes. You’ll be mostly barefoot on the boat (some captains demand wearing shoes).
• Don’t bring too many creams and oily cosmetic products.
• Don’t bring make-up, except lipstick or tinted lip balm. You’ll be sweating and everything will melt off.
• Expensive jewelry or any with emotional attachment. Very easy to lose! Also, stick with small earrings with posts so you don’t risk catching hoops on anything on board.
• Hairdryers and electric razors (most boats only have 12-volt charging possibilities)
• Your surfboard, mountain bike or sea scooter (without asking captain in advance).