The Ultimate Offshore Kit List

Wondering what you need to pack for an offshore sailing adventure? We have you covered.

Being well prepared for an offshore crossing is the difference between having a brilliant time and a miserable time. To be honest, you don’t need much, but what you do need can be essential. This is the list that we provide to crew before boarding for an offshore passage with a little more detail to help you understand why.

CLOTHING

1. Foul Weather Clothing

   1. A good set of foul weather gear may seem expensive, but it will be a priceless investment for your sailing career. Things we look out for are:

   2. Fluorescent hood – this could help save your life if you go overboard

   3. Non-corrosion zips (i.e non-metal)

   4. Fleece Lined collar and pockets

   5. Reflective strips, again, these help identify you with a torch and are useful if you have people up on the bow and night and you can see their reflections.

   6. Inside pockets, great for valuables.

   7. Chest pockets in salopettes, we’ve just always found these way more comfortable

   

   Squalls and storms are commonplace even in hot countries meaning our fouls are never too far away.

2. Footwear

   1. Sailing Shoes – These can just be some comfortable trainers but make sure they are separate from the shoes you will wear on land and that the soles are clean before coming onboard. Some boats might require for the soles to be white to ensure they don’t mark the deck so make sure you ask beforehand.

   2. Sailing Boots – When it gets wet and wild, you’re going to want to be wearing some sailing boots. There’s a whole range of these available from neoprene lined to your more basic welly type. In our books, as long as they keep the water out and have good grip on the deck, then they’re doing the right job.

3. Other Clothing. Aside from your day to day clothes we’d recommend you bring: