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Old 27-03-2017, 15:25   #1
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Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

It looks like I'll be moving to a boat in St. Martin in about a month and am trying to come up with a list of things to bring.

The boat is fairly well-stocked from its previous owners with things like tools, galley items, equipment, etc.

I plan on checking 2 large 60L dry-type duffel bags, and a carry on. Should I confine myself to packing everything I need into these bags? How difficult and expensive is it for me to ship things to these islands? For example, my reference books and guide books -- it would seem silly for me to throw these into my luggage, but I also am going to want them on the boat.

Any suggestions for a total liveaboard noob are greatly apprecaited!
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Old 27-03-2017, 15:40   #2
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

Unless you're flying in a full size plane you won't fit 2x60L bags. So check first.

Ship freight here is very inexpensive.
Check fourstarcargo.com
You FedEx to Miami and they ship it the same week. About $60 per palate.

As for what to bring:
1 pr Flip-flops.
1 pr Shorts
1 pr Sunglasses.

.
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Old 27-03-2017, 16:15   #3
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

That's actually very reasonable, and quite fast. And I hadn't considered the baggage limitation. It looks like any ticket I'll be booking has me on a 757 for the second leg, so I should be okay on that.

What? I need sunglasses?
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Old 27-03-2017, 16:27   #4
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

Quote:
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What? I need sunglasses?
As you are from Oregon you might need to Google Sunglasses.

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Old 27-03-2017, 18:26   #5
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

You're not going to remote, wilderness, they do have stores.

Unless you're SURE you need it leave it behind.

One carry-on is plenty for the tropics.
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Old 27-03-2017, 18:30   #6
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

Are you asking what to bring to stay and live there? Or just for the voyage? Or to make sure you have everything on the boat needed to make the passage? Those are three very different questions, and will have different answers.
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Old 27-03-2017, 18:41   #7
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkJ View Post
As you are from Oregon you might need to Google Sunglasses.

I looked it up, but I was confused on the part about "protect eyes from the sun". Whats a sun?

Quote:
Originally Posted by john61ct View Post
You're not going to remote, wilderness, they do have stores.

Unless you're SURE you need it leave it behind.

One carry-on is plenty for the tropics.
I'm bringing things that I don't want to have to buy on the islands or ship. But of course I'm not bringing a lot of clothes, toiletries, or general provisions.

Quote:
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Are you asking what to bring to stay and live there? Or just for the voyage? Or to make sure you have everything on the boat needed to make the passage? Those are three very different questions, and will have different answers.
Stay and live, but I'll be taking the boat south soon for hurricane season.
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Old 28-03-2017, 09:32   #8
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

I agree with Mark that it's inexpensive to ship stuff down here. However, we use Interline. It's less expensive than 4-Star. Email sales@interline-usa.com. We recently shipped 60lbs for $40.

Since the boat has the basics, I'd get on board and live on her for a while before deciding what you need. Once you arrive, you can sign up for discount cards at Island Water World and Budget Marine. The cruisers net is on VHF ch 10 at 0730.

Maje
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Old 28-03-2017, 10:12   #9
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

If you will be living on the boat, and it is well equipped as a boat, one duffel should supply your personal needs. If not, you have too much stuff. If there are others aboard, two duffels and you may not be so welcome. On the other hand it can be taken with you, although the risk of loss and the cost increase significantly. Whatever you decide, enjoy!
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Old 28-03-2017, 10:38   #10
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

buy a half dozen inexpensive, small, LED flashlights and leave them all around the boat. Very handy. Remember where you stashed them, because you'll need to find them in the dark.

I like having a handheld VHF and a handheld GPS as backups. Also pretty handy to take ashore with you.

You'll want lots of sunblock from day 1.

A good multitool, or a small toolkit with common screwdrivers and wrenches is pretty handy. I like to carry a few bike repair tools...very handy indeed!

If you are just starting out, a large paper chart of your island and immediate area is great. Chartplotters are fine, but big paper charts help you learn the lay of the land, get the big picture, and are good for planning.

Tees and shorts. Light colours.

I found US dollars to be pretty handy just about everywhere...nice to have a few of these in your pocket.
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Old 28-03-2017, 10:45   #11
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pirate Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

FYI Budget Marine and Island World are two of the best stocked chandleries
I have ever visited. And the prices if your are transiting (show them your passport are tax free. Bought Lifeline Batteries D2 for $600 each, Garmin Radar 18 for $810. These items alone in the States are more expensive.
Just bring shorts, T-shirts, and sunglasses.
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Old 28-03-2017, 22:26   #12
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

Quote:
Originally Posted by buzzstar View Post
If you will be living on the boat, and it is well equipped as a boat, one duffel should supply your personal needs. If not, you have too much stuff.
One of the duffels will be carrying mostly camera-related equipment as I plan to spend a lot of my time documenting and film-making.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom and Maje View Post
I agree with Mark that it's inexpensive to ship stuff down here. However, we use Interline. It's less expensive than 4-Star. Email sales@interline-usa.com. We recently shipped 60lbs for $40.

Since the boat has the basics, I'd get on board and live on her for a while before deciding what you need. Once you arrive, you can sign up for discount cards at Island Water World and Budget Marine. The cruisers net is on VHF ch 10 at 0730.

Maje
Thanks! This is great advice and I look forward to getting on the net.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hamburking View Post
You'll want lots of sunblock from day 1.
And with how white I am, this will be pretty essential. I plan to invest in some good long-sleeve sun protection and hats.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sailon46 View Post
FYI Budget Marine and Island World are two of the best stocked chandleries
I have ever visited.
I'm grateful I'll be starting my journey somewhere with such good amenities and facilities.
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Old 29-03-2017, 04:40   #13
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

Get what you think is important while you are in St Martin - many of the other islands are more expensive (even Duty Free) - the French islands all have good chandleries (especially for French production boats) but it helps there if you speak French ��
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Old 29-03-2017, 10:04   #14
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Re: Moving to a boat in the leeward islands. What to bring?

Take only one thing. Money
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Old 14-04-2017, 11:27   #15
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List

What I usually take:

Sun protection:
Light shirts, one or two long sleeved
Board shorts
Airy hats, one big for first month
Rash guard (t for swimming)
Sunscreen, non-greasy, swimmable

Gadgets etc
Water tight cover for your phone like Lifeproof
Computer/tablet
Hard Drive with movies and series
Headphones
Snorkeling equipment, go to a pro shop and spend
New electronics for the boat if needed

Other hard to get items
Good shoes, open and closed
Good sandals, water tolerant
Hammock
Fresh set of prescription glasses
A good day backpack
Drinking bottle with active coal filter
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