Yippee, I'm going sailing! I've been invited to take part in a cruise lasting several days at sea. But how do I pack my bag? What to put in it? I'm not used to living on a boat, so how do I manage this bag? Follow the guide to make yourself a model team member.
Protect yourself from the sun, wind, damp and cold
At sea, you need protection from the sun, wind, humidity and cold. Whether you're sailing in hot countries, where you'll need to protect yourself from the sun, or in cold, wet regions, where you'll need warm, insulating clothing. It's with this in mind that you'll choose the clothes to put in your bag.
UV-resistant T-shirt
Even if we're looking for it during the vacation season, the sun quickly becomes an enemy when it burns our skin. To protect yourself, choose a UV-resistant T-shirt with long sleeves. A light, white color is even better to avoid overheating. Remember that even in the shade under the bimini, for example, you're still exposed to UV rays, which reflect strongly off the water.
Cap and cap holder
To keep out the sun and avoid sunstroke, wear a cap or hat. But if the sun's beating down at sea, there's also the wind, which can blow the famous cap off. A cap fastener, a cord that attaches to the back of the cap and to the collar of the T-shirt, prevents it from getting lost in the sea. Even if every cap that goes into the water is an opportunity to revise the man-overboard maneuver...
Reinforced shorts
The boat's movements make it necessary to remain seated. And moving around on deck in rough seas is often done on all fours. As a result, the buttocks of our shorts take a beating, worn especially on the deck's non-slip surface. That's why you need to choose a reinforced model.
Marinière or traditional jacket
As well as looking like an old sea dog, traditional garments such as the marinière or the vareuse are designed for sailing. They provide protection from both sun and wind, and are comfortable to wear.
Pants
Like shorts, they should be reinforced at the buttocks and knees. They're loose-fitting, so they won't get in the way of your sometimes acrobatic movements on the deck of your boat.
Thermal underlay
With these warm clothes, you're equipped for night sailing. After all, there's nothing worse than being cold on watch. The combination of leggings, or long johns, and a long-sleeved top is a good way to keep warm. However, for these technical products to work properly, they must be worn next to the skin.
Watch jacket
The ultimate protection. The one that will protect you from wind and sea spray. You don't need this layer to be warm. Warmth is provided by the clothing worn underneath: fleece, underlay... The watch jacket must be waterproof. Breathable, it will prevent perspiration from wetting you from the inside.
Quarter-dress overalls
Underneath the jacket are overalls. It's built like the watch jacket: breathable and waterproof. Rising high in the back, they offer good thermal protection.
Bonnet
At sea, the temperature drops quickly, especially when the sun goes down. For a comfortable night's watch, a hat is essential. Keeping your head warm keeps your whole body warm.
Sun cream
The sun reverberates off the sea. Just like when you're in the mountains on snow, you need to protect yourself with a good sun cream.
Gloves
Boating is all about maneuvering. Ropes, whether mooring lines or sheets, can burn your hands. You'll need a pair of gloves. You can opt for "5-finger cut" gloves that protect the palm, but leave the fingertips free for agility.
Life jackets
The lifejacket is the ultimate safety equipment, and becomes a personal item of equipment. Yours will be adjusted to your body size and accessorized to enhance your safety: flashlight, beacon, hood...
Sailor's knife
Both symbolic and useful, the marine knife is also a safety device on a boat. It can be used to cut a rope to free a maneuver that is dangerously stuck.
Dismantler
An emblem of yachting, the shredder has gone out of fashion with the arrival of multi-purpose pliers on our boats. However, it can still be useful when worn around the neck. If only to open a bottle of beer!
And the bag?
It's the main item on this equipment list. After all, you don't want to take a suitcase on board a boat. Once you've settled into your cabin, you won't know how to stow it. A sailor's bag has to fold up to fit in the bottom of the trunk. You can also choose a waterproof bag to protect your belongings inside.
