"It's not a hobby until you buy the costume."
This is one of my favorite phrases to tell new sailors, but I also say it with tongue in cheek. The truth is that sailing can be physically taxing (and dangerous), and the right (or wrong) equipment can make (or break) your experience.
This post is the first of a two-part series exploring some of the products, gear and equipment that work for me. I'm generally on the water at least 20-25 days a month –ample opportunity to use and wear out equipment and separate the great from the average. This list is geared towards the cruiser, generally sailing coastal or near-coastal passages during daylight hours in tropical conditions.
While most of the items on this list are fairly typical (say, a trusty personal flotation device), some of the items may come as a surprise to you!
Please note, I am not being paid to promote any of these products and do not get a commission! But maybe one day I'll pick up a sponsorship here and there🤞
... at which point I'd have to learn how to make an unboxing video? 🤷♂️ Email me if you're interested and let's talk.
Shoes
What I use:
Why I use them:
You may be surprised to see footwear at the top of the list, but it's with good reason. I learned early on the value of sturdy, grippy footwear. I was about halfway through my ASA 104: Bareboat Cruising course, and the boat was heeling a decent amount in the afternoon sea breeze. At the time, I was wearing sandals that I thought had good grip and comfort, but the deck was wet, and I slid to the low side and took the wheel with me. My instructor, near the wheel, grabbed it from me and calmly announced that we would have grounded had he not done so.
Needless to say, this near-miss was a turning point for me and a good reminder that footwear on a moving, pitching boat is an essential piece of kit. Many sailors (especially in tropical environments) do the barefoot thing, but I find this to be unsafe. I have seen too many stubbed toes, broken nails, and a handful of nearly-broken pinky toes to put my faith in this strategy.
Save your bare feet for the beach bar.
Rain Jacket
What I use:
Why I use it:
You can spend a pretty penny on foul-weather gear (or "foulies"), but here in Florida, most of this is overkill, as we don't need all that insulation.
I was looking for something thin and lightweight (yet waterproof) and found this at a modest price point, especially from one of sailing's major "name brands." The best feature of this jacket is that it's "packable," meaning it folds up inside out and can be stuffed inside one of the two hand zipper pockets.
Sunglasses
What I use:
Why I use it:
I have tried many brands of sunglasses but am fully on team Costas. These are not cheap! But neither is running aground.
Costas check all the usual boxes of comfort, wearability and eye protection but also offer something more unique: polarized, glass lenses.
Many sailors I know chose Blue Mirror since they are geared for Open Ocean. I opted for Green Mirror lenses, as most of the cruising I do is coastal (read: shallow) instead of offshore (read: deep water). I have found that this particular lens allows me to read the water and differentiate between shoaling and safe water.
But the best part about Costas is they allow you to customize the frame and lens choice! So everyone can have their cake and eat it, too.
Personal Flotation Device
What I use:
Why I use it:
Of all the products listed here, this is actually the one I know the least. Over the last four years, I have tried two different flavors of the West Marine Type V, and although they served me well, it was time for an upgrade. The Spinlock 6D came recommended to me by a veteran sailor with many miles of bluewater cruising under his belt.
The full list of features is extremely impressive – way more than I can list here! But after using this product for a couple weeks, I love the comfortable light fit that stays off the neckline. Also, the option for an integrated crotch strap and ability to mount a PLB were non-negotiable for me. Visit their website to see a full list of features.
This is definitely a product I hope to never need – but if I do, I'll be glad I sprung for the better one!
Carbon Monoxide Detector
What I use:
Why I use it:
This is a relatively cheap purchase that can save your life. With the prevalence of diesel-powered generators, more and more sailors (especially within the charter industry) are running air conditioning overnight. And I completely understand the desire to keep the crew comfortable and well rested! But remember that a combustion engine comes with an inherent risk of leaking exhaust fumes that can make their way into living quarters.
The danger with Carbon Monoxide is that it is odorless. While Carbon Monoxide leaks are not common, they do happen, and sometimes with fatal consequences!
Since U.S.-flagged pleasure craft are not required by law to have permanently mounted fire and carbon monoxide detectors, I bring my own.
Two disclaimers:
-This is not a marine product, per se.
-From what I have researched, all carbon monoxide detectors have a lifetime that can't be extended. Make sure the one you're purchasing has been manufactured recently; if it sat on the shelf for two years, you paid for two years you can't use.
Multitool
What I use:
Why I use it:
This tool was a generous gift from a sailing-student-turned-close-friend. Thanks, Rich!
I use this tool every day, and sometimes more than once a day. In the (very) slim chance I forget it at home, I typically still reach for it, only to be disappointed. Perhaps call it a "phantom" leatherman!
Handheld VHF
What I use:
Why I use it:
While a handheld VHF might lack the range of the ship's radio, I consider it to be an essential piece of safety equipment:
-It floats and is waterproof, so you can take it in the dinghy.
-Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy.
-In a dismasting, the antenna for the ship's VHF is in the water.
-It's comfortable and portable enough to wear on your belt.
Duffel Bag
What I use:
Why I use it:
Even recently, I made the rookie move of bringing hard-sided, rolling suitcases on board a boat.
This bag (which also comes in a variety of sizes and colors) has been a much-needed upgrade without having to worry about wheels damaging the boat! Plus, once you unpack, it stows away flat, unlike a bulky suitcase.
Come back to the blog next week for Part 2 of this list! Heads up: The gear featured in Part 2 is significantly cheaper and smaller – but still interesting!
In the meantime, do you have any pieces of gear that you consider to be essential? Leave a comment!
Fair winds and following seas!
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