Bare Minimum

[aegean adrift]

Not a sailor, and I didnt come here with aspirations of converting.

That said ...

If I were to pay to crew in a learning role for a few days or join a chartered group or otherwise spend a few days on a boat, what's the absolute minimum I'd need in functional apparel?

And what else would be required? Personal first-aid kit?

I really mean complete basics like what kind of footwear, jacket, etc -- and what's the lowest-end item that would suffice with dignity.

Thanks! Nothing is obvious to the uninformed.

[Ex-Calif]

A lot depends on the weather and I am a tropical climes guy...

- Sailing gloves
- Hat - I prefer ballcap YMMV
- Sunblock - SPF 50
- Chapstick or lip balm
- one inflatable pfd
- harness - optional - check with skipper
- high quality personal flashlight with carbiner clip - maglite or similar
- Whistle and pfd/harness strobe
- personal meds - the skipper should have first aid covered
- personal knife or bowmans multi-tool
- dop kit - razor, toothbrush, towel, soap etc...
- 3-4 dry-tech shirts
- 2-3 dry tech shorts
- one nice walking shorts
- one nice cotton type shirt
- one pair sandals or flip flops
- one pair "athletic" type deck shoes - with vents/drains and waterproof
- one light weight jacket liner
- one light weight waterproof jacket - double cuffed if you can afford it
- one pair light weight waterproof rain pants - double cuffed if you can afford it

If I were your skipper in warm climes I would expect your kit to fit in one hikers backpack for a 5-7 day cruise.

If you are in cold climes the list gets longer quicker but mostly in the keep warm and dry department.

[Ziggy]

A lot depends on the season and location. But here are some minimums for normal summertime sailing in mild climates:
1) a comfortable lifejacket, preferably inflatable (this might be supplied by the boat's owner, but if you bring your own your own you'll be more likely to wear it)
2) shoes with a non-making soles (sneakers are fine)
3) light rainjacket (goretex or similar would be best)
4) a bathing suit
5) a sweater or a polartek jacket for cool evenings and bad weather days
6) sunglasses (preferably polarized lenses)
7) sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
8) a hat that will securely stay on your head in a fresh breeze
9) minimal personal toiletry (you decide)
10) a small to medium size soft dufflebag to hold it all (no roll-on suitcases, hard luggage, or very large bags

[osirissail]

In the French islands, sandals and a smile. But realistically, conservative, modest clothing for when ashore or dealing with local officials. Rest of the time, bathing suits with wrap-a-rounds for hanging around the boat or beach.
- - For participation in the operation of the boat shorts and shirts/blouses/T-shirts/Sports Tops that do not have anything "hanging off them" that can get caught in winches or the boat's wires and cables. Lean, mean and ready to work is the by-word.
- - Boat shoes - one's designed for being on a sailboat have a fine zig-zag cut pattern in the white rubber sole. Best to get these at a boat supply store. One pair for working on the boat and a separate maybe better looking pair for dockside on shore. Avoid any shoes with smooth or slippery soles that can slide on wet surfaces. The sole/bottom needs to be white to avoid black scuff marks on the decks.
- - If in Tropical/hot climates clothing should be light and airy and not require pressing or frequent washing. Everything should be packed in a soft cloth type bag which can be collapsed and stowed on board - no hard luggage.
- - Depending upon the size of the boat and group, a backpack for helping to carry provisions/stuff from shopping trips ashore will make you really popular if cruising. If just learning and riding for a short time (less than a week or so) then the backpack is not needed although it can be used as an additional piece of luggage and something to carry home souvenirs.
- - Leave shiny jewelry at home as it is an invitation to both thieves on land and barracudas in the waters.
- - Only bring personal effects such as you would in a cross country road trip. Personal hygiene stuff should not include greasy shampoos, cremes, oils, etc. as they really screw up a boats plumbing and waste water systems and might get you thrown off the boat.
- - Most important of all, unless you are going on a mega-yacht - is leaving behind the land based habits of "mass consumption" of water, electricity, and trips in/out of the refrigerator - except for beer/wine.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by aegean adrift

what's the absolute minimum I'd need in functional apparel?

.

Undies. Preferably cleanish.

Shorts.

Tshirt

Beer



Things one doesn't need:
Gloves. A sheet is made from rope, not barbed wire.
SLAM anything (If it says SLAM on it then you don't need it.)
Musto - See SLAM above.


Things you may need in cold countries (USA and UK)
Jumper - wool from Yaks belly is good. I have one and its the antz pants. Wool from sheep is nearly as good.
Galoshes. Keeping the rain out without paying out.



You may think I am being funny, but I kid you not

[aegean adrift]

Thank you Mark. Having walked away from everything, at this point I question the necessity of each item. To think I used to wince at The Hundred-Item Challenge!

Since I'm not yet sure of my footing, I'll add footwear. Actually have sneakers that should be ok. Cap if I can find one.


(Thanks to Ex-Calif, Ziggy and Osirissail as well. Am not dismissing your suggestions, will examine as I go. For now am just ... learning at my currently very slow pace.)

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Undies. Preferably cleanish.

Commando is the only way to go on a boat - sorry Mark.

Beer

OK - I missed an important one


You may think I am being funny, but I kid you not

I think you are funny and I think you are not kidding.

Originally Posted by aegean adrift

(Thanks to Ex-Calif, Ziggy and Osirissail as well. Am not dismissing your suggestions, will examine as I go. For now am just ... learning at my currently very slow pace.)

Make sure you learn at a pace fast enough to bring your own stuff.

If you end up shivering on night watch, piercing your delicate hands on barbed wire sheets, or forget to bring toothpaste, don't be looking to borrow anything from me. My kit is complete and fits in a backpack and I don't have extra anything.

Just sayin' is all...

[aegean adrift]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Make sure you learn at a pace fast enough to bring your own stuff.
<snip>
My kit is complete and fits in a backpack and I don't have extra anything.

Understood and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Also 10-4 on the skivvies optional. Will retain sport/supportive upper aspect though!

[Bash]

Originally Posted by aegean adrift

Since I'm not yet sure of my footing, I'll add footwear. Actually have sneakers that should be ok. Cap if I can find one.

not on my boat. If there's one item I insist you bring for anything beyond a daysail, it will be boat shoes. No substitutes, because nothing else does as good a job keeping your aboard, and I've had to clean up after too many "non-marking" tennies.

I often loan crew such items as PFD, harnass, gloves, and even a hat or foulies, but if they show up without boat shoes, they stay on the dock.

[RunningFish]

"cruising is entirely about showing up"....in boat shoes?



I've never noticed marks from sneakers, sandals, ugly "crocs" - only back-soled dress shoes or boots.

[Stillraining]

You must have one tough set of hands Mark...

I have pretty callused up hands from the labor I do but rope burns get to areas callus arnt.....when the wind pipes up I don gloves no matter how tough I think I am...

I have burnt to the point of letting go of lines right through a pair of gloves many times doing various things from wrangling horse to the boat....without those gloves Id been laid up for a while.

We have to remember were not all created equal..

IMHO...Definitely bring a couple pairs of gloves...one pair open finger, one closed...I find the leather palmed synthetic Mechanics gloves for 15 bucks a pair to be of excellent durability and fit and hard to beat on the boat.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by RunningFish

I've never noticed marks from sneakers, sandals, ugly "crocs" - only back-soled dress shoes or boots.

A lot depends on the quality of the non-slip. The better (and newer) the non-slip, the more likely that a so-called "non-marking sole" will leave a trail.

And the more people show up with inappropriate deck wear, the quicker the non-slip wears out.

I've edited my signature line appropriately--thanks for the idea.

[GeoPowers]

Originally Posted by RunningFish

"cruising is entirely about showing up"....in boat shoes?

That's funny!!

You can't go wrong with layered clothes, unless you are lucky enough to be sailing in the tropics!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Stillraining

You must have one tough set of hands Mark...

....without those gloves Id been laid up for a while.

.

Its funny but I thought my hands were quite soft... and well, luxurious feeling


After the trip up the Red Sea - and we did get the head winds as far south as they could go so it was a looooooong work to windward - 2 weeks my hands were feeling a little ready for a holiday but still didnt need gloves, nor did Nicolle.

That was about the toughest sail we have done. Just plugging up to wind and not enought fuel to cheat and use the engine. I had 48 hours fuel left after the Gulf of Aden and was going to use that for the last 2 days. But the second last day was fair so we sailed.

It might be a technique thing... don't pull to hard on a sheet... pull the slack in and then wind on the winch.... and use moisturiser

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Make sure you learn at a pace fast enough to bring your own stuff.

If you end up shivering on night watch, piercing your delicate hands on barbed wire sheets, or forget to bring toothpaste, don't be looking to borrow anything from me. My kit is complete and fits in a backpack and I don't have extra anything.

Just sayin' is all...

i found uggs great on night watch--until pooped by a sea!! make sure the uggs are nonskid--yes they make em, but for aprice!! and waterprufed well.
\i also wore sweats comfortably until the rain drenched me realllllly gooood.....then i had rivers.... silk is better as it dries quickly and is warm -- i have silk long undies, otherwise i just wear a wife beater tank... long!!! just enough in warm weather. i use sailing gloves for the leather grip they offer me.
depends on where ye are going--just a backpack sized thing. dont forget anything..