What We Packed For Our Charter

As my suitcase tends to look much like this picture each time we travel, we both tried to lay out what we thought was absolutely essential….and then removed about 20%.

This was the final tally of what I packed in a suitcase too big for carry-on. It showed exactly 50lbs on the check-in scale(!):

John's shave kit
John's full face snorkel mask
John's Myerchin Sailor's Tool
Pepto Bismol (don't leave home without it!)
Tylenol
Dramamine
Anti-itch/after bite cream 
Sunscreen
Beach towel
Full face snorkel mask
Standard Mask & snorkel
RYA Sail Cruising and Yachtmaster Scheme
Hand Bearing Compass
Myerchin Sailor's tool
Charter Contract
Babywipes
Moisturizer
Cosmetic bag
B&B hair products - great for preventing frizz!
Flip-flops
Teva sandals
Dressy sandals
3 X Bikinis
5 X T-shirts
3 X Shorts
3 X Beach dresses
1 X Capri
1 X Pants
2 X Sunshirts
2 X Long-sleeve shirts
1 X Ballcap
1 X Sweater
1 X Columbia Windbreaker
2 X Socks
1 X PJs
Undies
Comb & Hair ties
Spices, teabags, oatmeal, couscous, quinoa, granola bars, nuts, etc. 

For an early Christmas present, I received eBag packing cubes which were perfect for organizing such a variety of items in my suitcase. They’re super lightweight, come in many sizes and have convenient carrying handles. We plan to spend the night in Denver before flying out and expect freezing temperatures, so I made sure to put my warm clothes on top for easy access.

In a carry-on bag I had the following:

Book
Magazines
Passports
Sunglasses
Pen & pencil
Earplugs
iPhone charger
4 X Granola bars
Purse
Gum
Tissues

This is what John managed to pack in his great new North Face Duffel Bag, totaling approximately 37lbs:

3 X t-shirts
5 X long-sleeve/sun shirts
4 X underwear
3 X socks
3 X swim trunks
1 X dress shorts
1 X linen shirt
1 X linen pants
1 X flip-flops
1 X ball cap
3 X Chums Hat Clip
iPad w/ Lifeproof Lifejacket
iPhone 6s Lifeproof NUUD
iPhone 6s Lifeproof Lifejacket 
Hammock
30L Dry Bag
2 X waterproof cell phone case
Selfie-stick
Action Camera w/ accessories
Headlamp
iPhone microphone and wind muff
Mask and snorkel
Davis Instruments Reference/Cockpit Cards
RYA Reference/Cockpit Cards
Franko Maps Virgin Islands Fish Card
RYA Sail Cruising and Yachtmaster Scheme
RYA Sail Logbook
Hand Bearing Compass
4 X Floating Sunglass Straps
2 X Waterproof Camera/Accessory Float
Pencil case w/ pens, pencils, lanyards, power cords, adapters. 

In an extra carry-on (airlines call this a personal bag) he had the following:

Beach towel
Sunglass case
Earbuds
Ear plugs
3 X magazines
Portable Battery Pack/Charger
Virgin Islands Cruising Guide
ASA Bareboat Cruising Made Easy

While enroute John wore his amphibian sneakers with jeans and a sweat shirts. He did wear the amphibs when we went ashore for hikes, but luckily we never saw the jeans and sweater until we hit Miami heading home again!

After John helped me close up my suitcase and weigh to ensure we’re under 50lbs, he sat back and stared for a bit before pointing out the obvious – that I was using our old mangled suitcase that I was supposed to throw out after just buying two new ones at Costco! <sigh>

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And We're Off!

2 Comments

  • Travis says:

    Wow. You guys really cut it down to the essentials. Thank you very much for your recommendations.

    • John Casey says:

      Travis, we likely still took 1/3 too many clothes and toys/accessories. Hopefully the last packing for charter we do, and instead focus on what to take when we move on board our own vessel.

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