SeaMemo
Sailing packing list: clothes, documents and gear for a week on board
For a week of sailing you need less than you think: a soft holdall instead of a suitcase, layered clothing with a waterproof jacket, non marking deck shoes, sun protection, a head torch and all documents packed waterproof. Check bed linen and towels with the charter company beforehand, as they often cost extra.
The basic rule: soft, light, waterproof
On a charter yacht, space is the scarcest thing on board. Cabins have a few shelves and a narrow locker, nothing more. Three things make the biggest difference:
- A soft bag instead of a suitcase. Empty, it rolls up and stows away.
- Fewer clothes. On board you wear the same things for days and can wash in a marina if needed.
- Everything important waterproof. Documents, phone and charging cables in a dry bag or sealed pouch. Spray reaches the cockpit even in good weather.
Documents
Without the right paperwork, the charter base will not hand over the keys. Pack these first, ideally in their own folder:
- ID card or passport, depending on the cruising area
- The skipper's certificate (for example ICC, RYA Day Skipper or a national licence) and a VHF radio licence (SRC) if the area or charter company requires it
- Charter contract, booking confirmation and proof of the deposit
- Crew list with names, dates of birth and passport numbers, which many bases ask for in advance
- Health insurance card (such as the EHIC or GHIC) and travel insurance
- Copies or photos of all documents, kept apart from the originals
Clothing in layers
Even in a Mediterranean summer it is noticeably cooler on the water at night and in a breeze than on the beach. Rather than lots of clothes, bring layers you can combine:
- Waterproof sailing jacket (and sailing trousers depending on area and season). This is the most important item of clothing on board.
- Fleece or light jumper as a warm mid layer
- Quick drying technical shirts and T shirts
- Shorts and one pair of long trousers
- Swimwear, ideally two sets so one can dry
- Hat or cap with a strap so it does not blow overboard
- Sailing gloves if you handle a lot of sheets and lines
- One outfit for the evening in harbour or at a restaurant
Shoes
What matters most are non slip deck shoes with light soles. Dark soles leave marks on the deck, smooth soles are dangerous on a wet deck. Add a light pair for going ashore and maybe water shoes for rocky bays.
Gear for on board
- Head torch, ideally with a red light to keep your night vision at the helm
- Sunglasses with a strap, polarised lenses help against glare on the water
- Pocket knife or sailing knife
- Dry bag for the dinghy, trips ashore and valuables
- Your own life jacket with harness, if you have one. Jackets are on board, but your own fits better.
- Snorkel and mask, also handy for checking the rudder and propeller at handover
- Clothes pegs to dry wet things on the guardrail
Also pack a short piece of old rope and brush up on the key sailing knots before you go: you will need the bowline, the figure eight and the cleat hitch the first time you leave the dock.
First aid and toiletries
A basic first aid kit is on board. Bring your personal items yourself:
- Your own medication in sufficient quantity
- Seasickness remedies, discussed with a doctor or pharmacist first. More in the guide seasickness when sailing.
- High factor sun cream and lip balm, you burn faster on the water
- Plasters, blister plasters and antiseptic for small cuts from lines and fittings
- Insect repellent for evenings at anchor
- A small wash bag, with biodegradable shower gel if you swim and shower in bays
Electronics and power
On many yachts, mains sockets only work on shore power in a marina. Under way, everything charges via 12 volt and USB.
- 12 volt USB adapter for the cigarette lighter socket and a multi port charger
- Power bank
- Waterproof phone case
- Offline maps and apps downloaded before you leave, as signal in bays is often weak
What you can leave at home
- Hard suitcase: no room on board
- Shoes with dark soles or heels: marks on the deck, risk of slipping
- Lots of spare clothes: one outfit for two days is normal on board
- Hair dryer and other high power devices: they will not run without shore power
- Expensive jewellery: easily lost while swimming or working on deck
Sailing abroad? Remember the courtesy flag. How it's flown and which signal flags exist is in the guide nautical flags.
Check with the charter company before you travel
Some things you do not need to pack at all if they are on board. Ask in advance about:
- Bed linen and towels: included or extra?
- Life jackets in the right sizes, especially for children
- Snorkelling gear, SUP or a dinghy with outboard
- Basic galley supplies: salt, oil, washing up liquid, bin bags
The boat handover itself is best checked with a fixed list. The 16 areas are in the guide charter boat handover checklist.
Packing list, provisions and handover in one app
The checklists in SeaMemo are made for exactly this kind of preparation. You create your personal packing list once and reuse it on every trip. A system list with items such as ID card, sunglasses, sun cream and skipper's licence is already included, and you add your own. For provisions there is a shared trip list that the whole crew ticks off.
At the charter base the charter check guides you through the handover, with photos and signatures. Under way, SeaMemo records your sea miles. And right after the trip is the best moment to improve your packing list: what did you never use, what was missing?
Get SeaMemo for free
Logbook, travel journal and crew in one app. For iPhone and Android, works offline at sea.
Frequently asked questions
Suitcase or bag for a sailing trip?
A soft holdall. There is little storage below deck, and an empty bag can be folded and stowed in a locker or under a berth. A hard suitcase will be in the way all week.
Do I need my own life jacket?
Charter yachts carry life jackets. Many sailors still bring their own automatic life jacket with harness because it fits properly and they know its service history. If children are on board, ask the charter company for child sized jackets in advance.
What shoes should I take sailing?
Non slip deck shoes or sailing trainers with light, non marking soles. Add a light pair for going ashore and maybe water shoes for rocky bays. Going barefoot on deck is risky because of cleats and fittings.
Are bed linen and towels provided?
It depends on the charter company. Often there is a linen package for an extra fee, sometimes it is included. If your documents do not say, ask before you travel. Bring your own beach towel either way.
How much luggage is too much?
As a rough rule: whatever does not fit into one medium soft bag is too much. On a yacht with six to eight people you share the cabin, lockers and heads, and you change clothes far less often than on land.