Must Haves

[jkindredpdx]

Did anyone mention a good First Aid Kit? I know the boat SHOULD have a one already, but I'd make sure... great thing to say you carried and didn't need.

+2 Zee. I have lanyard and belt holster and it's not unusual to miss the holster.

[Weyalan]

A couple of extra ideas:
Baby powder (or your talc of choice)
LED head-torch (if you need a torch, you are probably going to want both hands free)
Foam ear-plugs (nothing will ruin your experience like a bad snorer on your off-watch)
At least one set of good quality thermals, long sleeves and long-johns, ideally merino.
A way of keeping your clean clothes dry - I use dry-bags, but garbage bags can suffice
A way of keeping your dirty or wet clothes away from everything else - again dry bags / garbage bags
A personal strobe light and a decent pfd-harness (personally I prefer not to rely on gear that comes with the boat, unless I know the owner personally and trust his or her fastidiousness in looking after safety gear)
A bag of personal treats (chocolate or other candy) to cheer you up if things are tough

[ardoin]

Lot of good response, but everyone forgot what the boat should have - An inverter! I hate to be beach bars for access to their AC power to charge my phone or laptop.

[Weyalan]

Originally Posted by ardoin

Lot of good response, but everyone forgot what the boat should have - An inverter! I hate to be beach bars for access to their AC power to charge my phone or laptop.

For me, neither phone nor laptop are "must haves". I do carry a phone, but it generally get stitched off when I step on board. I also carry a 12 V charger.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

For me, neither phone nor laptop are "must haves". I do carry a phone, but it generally get stitched off when I step on board. I also carry a 12 V charger.

My Notebook is a must have.. its my GPS/Chartplotter/Comms and Entertainment system all in one handy little bag.. and my phone checks my e-mail up to 10 miles offshore..

[mausgras]

Originally Posted by boatman61

My Notebook is a must have.. its my GPS/Chartplotter/Comms and Entertainment system all in one handy little bag.. and my phone checks my e-mail up to 10 miles offshore..

Ditto .........

I cannot travel anywhere without my laptop.
OK criticise me, tell me to grow up, but it's my equivalent of a teddy bear.
It's my connection to the rest of the world. It keeps me social.

[Weyalan]

Originally Posted by boatman61

My Notebook is a must have.. its my GPS/Chartplotter/Comms and Entertainment system all in one handy little bag.. and my phone checks my e-mail up to 10 miles offshore..

We have a dedicated chart plotter (and, if heading offshore, a back up hand-held) Because we are generally coastal cruising and only for a few days at a time, I actively look forward to casting the lines off, then deliberately switching off my telephone so that I can spend the days without the distractions of the outside world. We have taken a laptop on longer trips, but not as a "must have". I can see why these items might be "must have" for others, though.

[zeehag]

i have no problem using a fone only when in port and only when i expect calls, which is rarely, or when i need a part or something silly and inconsequential,such as boat parts.
laptop?? i own 2. both on board.
if i dont have wifi on board i am not happy as it is a major pita to run around with a puter in bag and shop for food or boat parts...
i use banda ancha in winter, and wifi in summer.
summer is marina life... winter is sailing season
however, as my boat is my home, i keep on board that which makes life comfortable.
no,i only have one pair of shoes.
i DO have a boatkat

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Weyalan

I can see why these items might be "must have" for others, though.

You mean... like Delivery Skippers hungry for the next job posted...??
And you obviously have not been downloading and following the series 'Game of Thrones'...

[RedFeather]

Some of you may have already tried this, but...for long hair, particularly if it's curly, washing with salt water and conditioner (no shampoo, which takes way too much water to rinse out) cleans and moisturizes all-in-one. Then light rinse with fresh water. Leaving little bit of conditioner in keeps hair moisturized in hot/dry/windy/cold weather. And +1 on the jojoba oil. Mixing a small amount (one tablespoon or more, depending on length and thickness) in your hair with conditioner leaves hair wonderfully shiny. Jojoba can be horribly expensive in the U.S., but olive, castor (use a very tiny amount), and apricot oils are good substitutes. No need to carry shampoo and the latter three oils can also be used for cooking. Just be sure to buy food-grade; it's better for your hair anyway and is also good as a skin moisturizer.

[HansSolo]

A head lamp, preferably one with both red and white lights, a waterproof watch with an alarm and an i-pod in a ziplock bag are my must haves for night watches.

[savoir]

Plastic shorts that can dry in 10 minutes. Cotton ones take too long. Keep wearing them and you might wind up with the dreaded red spotted butt.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by savoir

Plastic shorts that can dry in 10 minutes. Cotton ones take too long. Keep wearing them and you might wind up with the dreaded red spotted butt.

Plastic shorts. Oh no civilisation has fallen , it's over

Dave

[o_q]

Originally Posted by Kokanee

Cut it off and put it in a sealed bag?

Sorry - but hair products aren't on my Must Haves list for surviving on a boat..

Instead of invalidating the OP's personal must-haves, you could have contributed your own.

[zeehag]

i have found conditioner does not clean my hair,and feels nasty in tropics, even thoroughly rinsed i get hives.
i use sea water, regular shampoo and rinse with sea water and dry with towel then rinse with 1 liter/quart of fresh. then i use a different towel to dry ..use first one for ocean swimming.
my hair is almost to my waist now. lol yes this works. btdt.

i find i do not need conditioner in tropics,asmy hair is moister and more manageable here.
plastic shorts will cause infections you do not wish to have. lol...