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Subway Sailor · 23-05-2014, 21:26

Hello Friends,

I will be in St. Maarten and I can't think exactly as to what to bring ....I'm trying to make a checklist of what i may need to buy or bring with me for my charter vacation. I have never "borrowed" a boat for an extended period of time and since i am told i am not to do any repairs aboard i will not be in need of any tools...but then what could i need...should I bring sheets, pillows, towels ?

here a few things i think i could use aboard....

nautical almanac + sextant
binoculars
a sailors knife
a few books
sat phone
snorkel gear
sun block
sailing gloves
hat
head lamp
spare gps

what else do you think may come in handy?

what about cooking aboard...what should i expect or need to bring?

xymotic · 23-05-2014, 22:03

A credit card

(and notify the bank to remove foreign restrictions on it)

TeddyDiver · 23-05-2014, 22:06

Some thoughts..
Instead of sextant, nautical almanac and spare gps a tablet or laptop with maps and navigational aps.
Charter boats should have all the goodies for cooking and if something isn't there you can't know what so you buy in the destination what you need.
Tropical silk sleeping bag and a hammock!

gts1544 · 23-05-2014, 22:48

Subway Sailor,
Bear in mind that the airlines have gotten quite restrictive and expensive on luggage. I would concentrate on light, loose fitting, UV protective clothing, sandals & shower clogs, sailing hats with chin strap, Polaroid sunglasses, extra reading glasses, head lamp, good books, all contained within a soft duffle that will stuff into a lazerette. The boat should be equipped with everything that you need.

If you have extra room, take a hand held VHF and GPS (for backup). Take some cash in small bills (20's / 10's / 5's / 1's) for tipping. Take several credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees. We just had one of ours cancelled while aboard our boat in the BVI due to fraudulent activity, that started in the states. Try getting one sent to you aboard! Not!

It is easy to rent snorkeling gear, don't carry it, except for a prescription mask. The islands are very serious about the drug problem. Take all prescription drugs in their original containers, with the prescription clearly showing. Take a couple of your favorite CD's as the boat will surely have a stereo. Most of all, enjoy!! gts1544 - George

forsailbyowner · 24-05-2014, 03:09

Fishing lures, filet knife, 9/0 penn rig and spare line would surely be on my list. Snorkel gear and foulies. Gotta laugh about not having to work on boat bit. I dont think Ive ever been on a charter boat that didnt need some kind of work while underway or at a foreign port. The charter company would give 10 percent of next years charter if it were much of a pain.

**boatman61** · 24-05-2014, 03:26

Marmite....

**Hud3** · 24-05-2014, 07:27

Decide what clothes you want to take with you and lay them out on your bed.

Put half of them back in the closet or dresser.

Put half of what's left back in the closet or dresser.

You will still have too many clothes.

Stu Jackson · 24-05-2014, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hud3

Decide what clothes you want to take with you and lay them out on your bed.

Put half of them back in the closet or dresser.

Put half of what's left back in the closet or dresser.

You will still have too many clothes.

I was wondering how long it would take for this one to show up, but it's true.

For the OP, really you should read the cruising guides and check the list of material that will be on the boat that you should have gotten from the charter company, either before you rented the boat (you didn't know what you were getting into?) or once you booked (now you're hooked!

).

A sextant? Wow!

I've never had to ask anyone what clothes to take on vacation, and that one comes up so many times it's almost creepy.

The guide books explain what the weather will be like, too.

Have a great time, do your homework. Before you go. Then have a good time, there will be no test.

jackdale · 24-05-2014, 21:05

I usually try to do carry on. That means no knives and watch what you carry in your shaving kit.

The charter company will have a list of what to bring.

Waterproof camera is a must.

From you list

nautical almanac + sextant - no (unless you wish to practice celestial nav, but I would not bother)
binoculars - check if some are on board
a sailors knife - no (there may be one on board)
a few books - one book.
sat phone - no
snorkel gear - can be rented or is included
sun block - yes
sailing gloves - yes
hat - yes
head lamp - yes
spare gps - maybe

I have a tablet with a gps and nav software that also serves as my eReader and music (small Bluetooth speaker). It fits in a bag I use as the small personal carry-on.

Subway Sailor · 24-05-2014, 22:25

yes perfect!!

I actually found out who my charter company is today!!
It's horizon charters out of St. Maarten.
I went over my so called aboard inventory and there is quite some stuff on there that i will use.Looks like a bunch of my questions were answered right there. I didn't realize that this inventory was a normal part of chartering. it's all finally coming together!!

I am bringing my sextant and almanac in order to practice. I will have a chance to actually see real and clear horizon. it's hard in New York.

Sailor knife is coming no matter what. I plan on checking my bags.
marmite? sorry that and vegimite can stay at the store.
sat phone to keep the queen calm...
waterproof camera sounds good. I have a go pro with a bunch of mounts.
???
a silk sleeping bag ... can i get some feed back on that? what is the benefit of that??? i've never heard of this..

i am waiting on my cruise guides to come in...until then...i figured you guys would throw me a " i wish i had brought my..."

Also since it's just the 2 of us on this 3 cabin, 39 footer...i dont' really care if i bring a soft bag to stuff away or not because it will be out of site in one of the cabins we are not planning on using. after all its' just 2 of us.

ShaunJ · 24-05-2014, 22:50

I would bring a small tool kit if you can travel with it. I just can't see chartering a boat without some tools, I doubt if they have any on board. I m not sure how many times a day I need a screwndriveron my boat that I have owned for a few years.

Subway Sailor · 24-05-2014, 23:24

it says tool kit is aboard.....this is really a harder question to answer apart from the dead obvious...

TeddyDiver · 24-05-2014, 23:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subway Sailor

???
a silk sleeping bag ... can i get some feed back on that? what is the benefit of that??? i've never heard of this..

It's basicly a thin bed sheet sewn half way as a bag. Keeps you cool and most of the mosquito bites of while sleeping naked. I use one in seaberth at sea and with hammock on deck at ports. The hammock is thin nylon, fits in your pocket and weights next to nothing.

http://www.soundlysleepingdragon.com...switch_lang=en

Subway Sailor · 25-05-2014, 00:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

It's basicly a thin bed sheet sewn half way as a bag. Keeps you cool and most of the mosquito bites of while sleeping naked. I use one in seaberth at sea and with hammock on deck at ports. The hammock is thin nylon, fits in your pocket and weights next to nothing.

Tan Minh Single Women’s Group

ok cool

but where and how to hook up the hammock ?