What to pack for a boat trip?

For some people it is a joy, a foretaste of a holiday. For others a simple nuisance. Packing for a trip means first deciding what to pack. It is in sharing a small space that you must limit the superfluous as much as possible. It is necessary, therefore, to optimize the resources and choose only what we actually will need during navigation and the descent on the land.

Yes to soft bags, no to trolleys

Let's start with the suitcase, which should be light and spacious, easy to fold and store when it is empty. So a nice soft bag, a large backpack or the classic bag, possibly made of waterproof material, is fine. Trolleys and rigid suitcases should be avoided, because they take up space and could cause damage.

Swimsuits, swimsuits, and... swimsuits

The first thing to put in the luggage for a boat holiday, are obviously the costumes. Since we will spend most of the time with only these on, the ideal would be to count one costume every two days of navigation, so that you always have one dry for the change between a bath and another. Of course, it all depends on our organizational skills, in fact there are those who can do with much less, but the costumes take so little space...

Shoes, sandals and flip-flops

It is likely that during our holidays we will often be barefoot, but in some cases it will be useful to wear sandals or shoes, to be reserved for use on the boat. To facilitate movements in the most insidious points or during maneuvers, they should have the non-slip sole, made of white rubber, as the classic loafers or tennis shoes. It is important to remember to pack a pair of slippers or rubber flip-flops for showering.

The luggage? It is better to reduce it by half

As for clothing, when you pack for a boat holiday, the rule is to halve the amount you would take for a "sedentary" beach holiday, in a house or a hotel room. As we will not always be able to wear a costume and sometimes we will have to go ashore, it will be important to pack some clothes. Usually, for a week of vacation we will have to bring 3-4 light sports changes for the day (t-shirt, polo and shorts), 2 long changes for the evening (jeans, shirt, sweatshirt and sweater for when the sun goes down and the humidity rises) and 2 to go down to the ground. It is important not to forget your underwear, a pair of sneakers and possibly other shoes to use when we get off the boat, as well as a light windproof jacket. Heels and elegant shoes, as well as jewelry and precious objects are useless. We recommend that you bring a pair of sunglasses, preferably polarized, and a hat and/or a wind scarf. A backpack or a bag will also be useful, as well as clothes pins to avoid getting into the sea when we dry out.

Sea and sun baths: better to protect yourself

In addition to clothes and accessories we will have to find space in the bag also for a beach towel (better if it is light, in microfiber or light cotton, not terry towels because they weigh, clutter and dry very slowly). If you use them you can also bring fins and snorkel. It will be good not to forget the sunscreens, because on boat the wind deceives us that the sun does not burn us. But in reality it is not absolutely true: the risk of burns is higher due to the water reflection. High protection sunscreens for face and body (possibly biodegradable) are great, including after-sun to apply in the evening. 

Emergency medicines

Obviously it is important not to forget any medicines that we take usually and also the emergency drugs: anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal and antipyretic and also those against sea sickness.

Electronic devices and how to protect them

Smarphone, camera (do not forget the chargers) and other electronic devices should be stored in waterproof bags, to protect them from water and salt and, why not, from hands dirty with sunscreen. The same can be done for the wallet and documents in general.

Paper and digital readings

As for books, each person regulates according to his own habits, even considering the convenience of e-reader devices that save the weight of the paper version. A good paper novel, however, will prove to be a reliable and discreet companion, and the possibility that a wave will take place will not be a drama.

Documents and papers

Finally, a small space in the luggage will be reserved for documents: identity card or passport; health card; all the cards related to the booking of the boat. We also recommend that you bring a small notebook where you can write down your thoughts while browsing or draw some sketches of what you see around you. It is a holiday in close contact with nature and our fellow travellers, but also with ourselves. Better to take notes on what we learn, right?