Clothing and Shoes
You'll bring too much.
I brought too much. My husband brought almost nothing and still brought more than he wore. That's for tropical sailing. Once I got salty / sweaty I didn't change clothes very often - I was dirty, not my clothes! Once it got warm I mostly wore a bathing suit and an oversized shirt for sun protection (and a hat and sunglasses of course). Until we got to shore my shorts and tops were not that useful. My husband wore as little as possible, sometimes slipping on a pair of nylon shorts (thank goodness, or I wouldn't have any pictures I could share).
For the North Pacific - well, more is better! Layers under the foulies - just as you'd expect.
Whether crossing cold or wet oceans - leave your cotton at home - especially jeans and cotton sweatshirts. Or put them in large zip locks and don't take them out until you're in harbour. They soak up salt and water and never seem to dry. Synthetics don't seem to soak up odors, sweat, moisture or salt - and when you do wash them they wash easily and dry quickly. The most comfortable, easy-to-maintain clothing I brought were the sports / camping items - those shirts and shorts that runners and backpackers use - light and synthetic. They work well for cruising.
What to bring:
- Polyester fleece for staying warm, including blankets. Wool socks are fine, too.
- Polyester, nylon, microfiber, for staying cool. For towels - microfiber works well.
Pack anything you won't be using right away in zip locks especially extra sheets, shore clothes. Dryer cloths in an attractive scent (I used lavender) helps keep them dry and fresh-smelling as well.
About Shoes...
