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