What do I need to bring?
Sun cream
You will be crying if you dont, so get the high factor stuff because, at midday in tropical latitudes, you have to experience it to realise how hot the sun is. That said, most of the midday hours are spent below deck it is just too fierce. This is number 1 on the list even if you forget your clothes!
Talcum powder
Water will be limited on the longest and hottest leg and showers will not be amongst the luxuries afforded to you. Bathing in sea water will be a daily activity so you can remain squeaky clean, but at night when it does tend to become a little clammy your talc will be welcome. We can arrange a prize for the most original smelling one!
Wet wipes
Bring some.
Did I mention sun cream?
A hat
Wide brimmed is best it is not a fashion parade as you will realise when you see mine! A floppy brim is good as it is less likely to be lifted by the breeze. Turning the boat around to head back into 25 knot Trade Winds is a little tiresome and if we can see the hat again before it disappears beneath the waves well be lucky!
To the other end of your body your feet freshly talcum powdered each evening! You will need sea boots for the northern stretches and then you might either abandon footwear altogether or wear sandals. It does tend to get warm quite quickly as we move south so dont worry too much about the well what if it is cold but sunny scenario. Whatever you do finally select, make sure that the soles are not going to leave marks on the white gel coat of the boat. And now to the bits in the middle...
Avoid cotton garments
They tend to get damp and retain it and thats not fun when you get up at 4 in the morning to do your shift. Another item of clothing to avoid is jeans. One reason is that they are made of cotton but more importantly they have rivets holding parts of them together the damage these rivets can do to varnished wood work when you are thrown around in any kind of sea has to be seen to be believed. By all means bring them for shore wear.
Now I know Ive mentioned sun cream but just make sure you bring some.
Cutlery and a mug.
Borrow a set from the kitchen at home it will remind each mealtime of what you are missing! As for the mug a squat wide bottomed insulated one with a lid. Nothing else is appropriate. The wider the better youll understand why.
Lifejacket
Bring one and see that it has crutch straps and also bring a lifeline we dont want to lose you - see that part about hats! The life jacket should have a strobe light attached and contained within it. A second whistle also it will have one inside but one attached to the outside gives you a way of attracting attention on deck in moments of need.
Bed clothing
A flat sheet to cover your bunk with it is a brand new boat we are taking across and the new owners would like to have nice clean cushion covers. And I do recommend a liner for your sleeping bag remember what I said about cotton though.
If you do forget anything most things can be easily bought in