What to bring for entertainment?

[jartwannabe]

I'm in the mode of getting rid of as much stuff as I can and storaging the rest. But I don't want to get rid of stuff I will need. What sort of things are needed for cruising for entertainment? What sorts of things do I need to bring for trade (I assume cruisers have their own little microeconomy)? Please note we will be bringing 4 kids with us so we need lots of utility in each item. We are planning to bring computer stuff--movies, educational software, games like Chess not shoot-em-ups, but there is only so long a person can/should sit in front of a computer.

Here are things on my mind:

ham radio--loads of entertainment there
books--on computer (Guetenburg project has been downloaded in entirety) and the real things
cards--poker and MTG (if you don't know don't ask)
board games
jump rope
knitting?? some sort of craft???
music galore
movies galore--documentaries to Disney and everything in between
magasines??? good or no???

Thanks for your help,
Chanda

[Doghouse]

our boat is currently loaded with:
2 decks of cards
1 box of assorted travel games (rocking boat = moving pieces)
1 Ham Radio
1 laptop = music & movies. Changed radio out for one that has a input port.
multiple books and dvd's (keep dvd's you don't like to trade with others at port!)

[Sandero]

DVDs of movies
jig saw puzzles?
chess
backgammon

[rtbates]

magnetic cards and the board that holds them. Even below deck they're nice as they stay put. Dominoes.

That's my .02

randy

Two very important items already mentioned, are cards, and books. These are probably the most important, as they allow you or each of your family members to escape the rest. A computer is usually limited in it's location, and watching a movie almost always ends up being a group activity, but you can take a book, and go up on the foredeck away from everyone to escape for awhile. A big plus when cruising with family. Especially if the kids are teenagers. A game of solitare while sitting on your bunk is also a good way to escape for awhile.

[Weyalan]

A crib board...

Digital cameras are getting cheap enough, buying an inexpensive camera for each crew member will possibly inspire hidden talent, and also provide a number of different perspectives of the trip. Plus those candid, pie in the face shots are always fun to remember. (At least for the one throwing the pie)

[Latitude9.5]

DVD's and a cribbage board, since i could pretty much play cribbage 24/7 i dont have much use for any of the other board games.

[Harriet]

books of crossword puzzles

[Entlie]

We Play Scrabble and Gin.

If We aren't moving, it's usually on the menu with breakfast or lunch. We have a good Scrabble dictionary (necessary for challenges and disputes).

Gin is usually the cocktail hour game. We play three games at a time (makes it more interesting).

We use a cheap composition notebook for scoring, and a special page for all time high score notations. We date each game, and every now and then we add up who is ahead overall.

Also play backgammon and mau mau (something like Crazy 8's but more cutthroat), and sometimes regular dominoes.

The big craze in our neighborhood now is Mexican Train dominoes. One of these games is on our shopping list - best played with more than two people, though.

Entlie

[spunkymelos]

Does anyone have thoughts on the Amazon Kindle or similar setup? My husband and I have loads of books, but don't think we will have enough room on board for most of them. Would it be worth it to have downloaded books in your opinion?

[Hud3]

spunky,

I looked into it here, and found out that book downloads aren't available outside the U.S. If you're planning to head offshore, you'll need to stock up before you leave.

[Cheechako]

A lot of stops along the way have paperback exchanges in marinas, stores, bars etc.. +1 on the crib board!

[rtbates]

Since my reply I have purchased an ipod. I highly recommend them. They can store/play music, books, movies (via laptop for bigger screen), pictures, etc. And now the ipod touch as well as the iphone can support a $50 utility that turns it into a mini GPS chart plotter. Apple RULES!!!

[SilentOption]

"What to bring for entertainment?"

Promiscuous deck hand!
and

music and games and stuff of course.