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10 Simple, yet practical items to pack for your next cruise

Sailing, like anything in life, comes with some of its own little issues. You could buy all the latest equipment there is, and still find something going wrong. Those little tips and tricks you find in magazines, books, or the Internet that you would like to remember at the next voyage or when you are doing something around the ship, or advice that will save you time when you have an emergency, those are life savers.

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These are few simple items that you might want to bring onboard the next time you`re packing for another cruise.

  1.  GET THE FASTEST COOKER

Pressure cookers are large, but they are well made, have a sealing lid and can cook food really fast. You can bake a chicken in it for 15 minutes, or use it for baking bread. Experienced seafarers say, the smaller the boat, the more they needed a pressure cooker.

  1.  KEEP YOUR ELECTRONICS DRY

Silica gel is full of tiny pores made from silicon dioxide and is a desiccant, which means it absorbs moisture from the air. Being in a humid environment, you can save your electronics by leaving them in a bag of silica gel – people say it’s more effective than leaving them in a bowl of rice.

  1.  STAY ORGANIZED
book2sail-Plastic containers

Plastic containers are great for organizing, but make sure to choose the right shape that will build up, without wasting valuable space. Plastic containers with airtight lids will keep your food fresh and dry, your jewelry and all the trinkets in one place.

  1. BRING THE BEAT

Whether you need it to check the current weather or listen to some music, portable speakers are a must aboard! When you’re out exploring the wide open seas, a regular Bluetooth speaker maybe won`t be enough, so think about replacing it with a waterproof one. Take it outside, on the cockpit, in your cabin, or on the beach, wherever you want, as long as you move to the beat.

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  1. LIGHT UP
book2sail-Solar lights

If you like to enjoy in an enchanting evening in the cockpit, a romantic dinner after sunset, or to just read a book in your cabin, solar lights will effectively and efficiently light up the areas you need. Mounted outside, they allow you to find your way back to your own boat if you’ve been away from it till dark.

  1. WARM YOUR WATER USING THE SUN

Fill up large plastic bottles with water, and leave them in the sun. A few hours later, you`ll have hot water for washing or showering, without using your boat power.

  1. SAVE WATER

If you have limited water storage on your boat, spray bottles can help reduce water consumption. The sprayer can come in handy for rinsing the dishes, after you washed them with salt water, or just cool your face with water while sunbathing.

  1. FIX IT
book2sail-Duct tape

Duct tape. Do we really need to explain this one? You can use it for basic repairs, twisting it into a rope, stopping leakage, you name it. Duct tape is the number one item every boater, road tripper od DIYer should always have in hand.

  1.  READ

Book addicts can have a hard time deciding which books to pack since they can take up a lot of storage space and are quite heavy. An e-book reader provides an endless supply of reading material without consuming a significant amount of storage.

  1. KNOW THE STARS

It`s great that we live in the age of GPS, radio, and other ways that help us move around and find our way easily. But sometimes, technology can fail us, electronics go out, batteries die, and you don`t want to be lost at sea. Celestial navigation has been the oldest and the most traditional way of navigating yourself in the endless seas. Plus, it`s fun!

Frequently asked questions

  • 1
    What are some of the key preparations I should consider prior to my yacht charter?
    • Travel Documentation

      Always ensure you have some form of acceptable identification, in legible condition and valid.

      Medication

      Double check that both you and other individuals in your group remember to bring important medications that you are currently being prescribed, accounting for the amount of time you will be at sea.

      Money & Additional expenses

      It would be prudent to budget for slightly over what you anticipate spending. Charter related expenses will be made known, however you never know whether you will need something once travelling.

      Research

      Set aside some time look up the areas you intend on visiting, both whilst chartering (as part of your anticipated itinerary) and whilst travelling to the location at which you will begin your charter.

      Supplies

      As with any journey or holiday, ensure you have adequate toiletries, perhaps some favored foods and snacks.

      Clothing

      Bring the types of clothing that will, in your estimation, suit the weather conditions of the location in which you will be chartering. It may be handy to spend some time researching a few sailing blogs and weather forecasts.

      Equipment

      All necessary equipment should be found already aboard (including safety equipment and anything required to properly operate the vessel. Though you may like to bring a few extra mod-cons to ensure you have the best of experiences.

  • 2
    What is the best way to choose the right vessel and charter for me?
    • Choosing the best vessel for you and those joining you on your yacht charter, would be dependent on your personal preference. Though we recommend considering the following points:

      • Your level of experience
      • Where you will be chartering
      • The time of year and associated weather conditions
      • The ages and competence of both yourself and those in your group

      It would be very helpful for you to conduct some basic research pertaining to all of the above, by way of asking those who you know have chartered the type of vessel or been to the location you are considering, before. Yacht charter blogs and other relevant websites that will offer you an understanding of the key factors you should consider.

      And of course, we are more than happy to help you with your decision.

  • 3
    Do I need a licence to charter a yacht?
    • That all depends on where you intend to charter. If you would like to charter a yacht within Europe, the answer would be yes. It is important to remember that the correct licencing and/or documentation for your charter is your responsibility and we would strongly advise you to enquire into the legal prerequisites of your chosen charter region, taking care to note any differences if you are to cross maritime boarders.

      Regarding Europe, you will require an International Certificate of Competence, also known as the ICC.

  • 4
    What is an APA?
    • As a rule of thumb, the fee you pay for your charter, includes the rental of the vessel and the necessary crew to operate it, all other expenses associated with the charter are separate and are financed by the APA, which stands for the Advance provisioning allowance.

      The APA generally amounts to 30% of the total charter fee, though this may vary depending on the vessel.

      Dockage fees, fuel, communications and food & beverages will all be financed by the APA. Any remaining money from the APA at the end of the charter, will be returned to you.

  • 5
    What happens if the owner/captain does not show up, or is late?
    • All boat owners are bound to have someone meeting charterers on the day of charter. It is important that you as a charterer notify us if there is something wrong with your charter. For more information read the charterer’s policy.

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Charter a yacht with Book2Sail

Book2Sail makes you feel that when it comes to chartering a boat, there is no limitation. You can choose any form of boat at any time and anywhere (catamaran, sailboat, motorboat, jet ski). Whether you’re sailing in August with a catamaran to explore the Dalmatian coastline or spending Easter holidays in the French Riviera, you will find your dream boat.

Our team of chartering specialists are ready to assist you to make your chartering experience as easy as possible. We have different itineraries to cater for any type of activity you choose to do, once you are ashore.

Get in touch now and Book2Sail today.