Over my years of sailing, I have slowly added to the number of things that I habitually take with me when I go on the water. The other day, I thought it might be fun to catalog everything I haul on board.
I was a little surprised at what I discovered: My complete list includes 46 items. All but a few bulky items I carry with me virtually every time I board a boat. (I only bring my large seabag with foul weather gear and a few other items when expected conditions warrant.)
A few items I wear or have in my pockets — a pocket knife, a hat, a water-resistant watch, and a smart phone with nav apps and entertainment along with communication ability. I also carry a PFD — personal flotation device — a water bottle, sunscreen, and a non-cotton sweater. I consider each of these things vital on board.
Everything else — about three dozen items— fits in a 12-by-10-by-5-inch shoulder bag. Many of them are not strictly necessary on every trip, of course. A few I have never used at all. But the fact that everything I might want is neatly contained in one compact bag means I won’t forget anything as long as I have the bag.
So what’s in the bag?
In addition to a few bureaucratic and record-keeping items like pens, notebooks, and Coast Guard license, the contents fall roughly into four categories: Navigation, Repairs, Electrical connections, and a catch-all Other. Some items fit in several categories.
My navigational tools include a pair of cheap, low-power binoculars. The marine environment doesn’t play well with fine optical equipment, and on a moving deck, high-powered binocs aren’t much use. Small and cheap is the way to go. When they give out, toss ’em and get another pair. I use these frequently.
Repair items include electrical tape, which is good for all kinds of quick fixes, as are a few zip ties. I also carry sailing gloves, but find I rarely use them.
My list is hardly unique. Every sailor has his or her catalog of required sailing equipment. Each of us, of course, thinks our list is the One True Way and that all other lists are either dangerously short or ridiculously over-stuffed. (I suspect many sailors might consider my list among the latter. But when we’re cruising and they can’t light the stove to fix dinner, they know who to come to!)
My carry-aboard list works for boats at Spinnaker Sailing and for my own boat, where I know I can expect to find basic items like legally required equipment, winch handles and such on board. I stock my own boat with a number of additional items for crew safety and comfort that I don’t consider reasonable to carry in a seabag — seasickness meds, Band-Aids, a warm blanket, snacks, a powerful flashlight, extra line, to mention a few.
My complete carry-aboard list is below along with an estimate of each item’s importance on board and some notes. Let me know what you think: Anything missing?
