What to Bring and Wear

Most important: Each crewmember should have a safety harness, tether, life jacket, personal strobe, and a whistle, all of which should be worn 100% of the time while on deck

Overview
The following information should help you in your preparation for the pacific crossing. The few days out of Hawaii will be warm but it can get chilly at night. Also it may rain especially at night so light rain gear is helpful or very light jacket for night watches. During the day it should be very warm so sun block is essential. As we get closer to San Francisco the weather will cool and can be foggy and windy. The main goal will be to stay warm and dry – layering is the key here. Clothing should consist of full waterproof foul weather gear with a good collar, boots, warm socks, warm long underwear, warm pullover top, a warm hat and (waterproof) gloves. Insulating layers should be very heavy weight polypro or capilene wicking fleece. When choosing warm weather clothing remember – synthetics work best. Do not take down jackets or sleeping bags. Limit your cotton clothing to perhaps long sleeve sun shirts. Both down and cotton absorb moisture and hold it. Your best choice would be some type of synthetic fleece for anything worn next to your skin as well as additional insulation layers. Jeans are not recommended but some people use them.

There are few places to get out of the sun while on deck. Direct sunlight and reflections from the water, sails, and light-colored decks all contribute to possible sunburns. Waterproof sunscreen and lip balm with a high SPF rating for all exposed skin combined with a lightweight long sleeve shirt, lightweight pants, a hat with a good brim and a pair of good sunglasses with croakies will become your best friends in this UV intensive environment.

How to Pack
Pack your clothing in separate waterproof bags. Ziplock Freezer bags work well to keep things organized and dry. Try to squeeze out all the air before sealing the bags to save space. Bring along extra bags for your dirty clothing; it will help keep your gear bag and the boat smelling better. You will usually not be doing any laundry on the passage so plan your clothing accordingly. Everything except your sleeping bag and optional pillow should fit into one normal size sea bag.

Other Personal Gear to Consider
A self-illuminating wristwatch with an easy to work alarm is a must. A rigging knife should have a lanyard to attach to your gear. A personal pen type flashlight with a red lens cover is essential for night watches. A red/white headlight for working on the foredeck at night is very useful as well. If you wear corrective lens glasses, bring an extra pair. A second pair of sunglasses is a good idea as well. If you like music, a personal player with earphones and plenty of extra batteries is nice. If you like to read, bring along a couple of good paperbacks and a journal keep a record of your passage. Don’t forget your camera.
If you take prescription medication, get new prescriptions filled and allow for a 30-day supply.
You can get travel size personal care items to help keep the space down. Things like shampoo, toothpaste, unscented deodorant, can all be fit nicely into a small ziplock freezer bag.
All of your gear should fit into one sailing gear. The only exception should be for your sleeping bag and pillow. Space will be at a premium and no one likes a cluttered boat. The goal here is not bring along extra things that you might not need.

List:
Each person will be able to bring one sea bag of "normal" size.
You will have a small area to keep small personal items such as
tooth brush, ipod, sun glasses, gloves etc
The trip will start out warm, but even then it gets cool at night and it
can rain in the beginning of the trip. So light rain gear is not a bad idea.
Towards the end of the trip it will be much cooler and full foul weather
gear is appropriate. I will also bring boots.
What you will run out of first is always underware. Bring extra.
Essencial gear:
PFD and teather.
Sun glasses, hat for sun and warmth, gloves, boots, foul weather jacket/pants
Layers of clothes as the weather changes.

Other notes:
Cell phones will not work.
Don't bring a laptop, not enough energy for multiple laptops.
We will be able to send/receive text messages,
We need to conserve water but there is a water maker on board.
If you like music bring an ipod with ear phones.

If your bag has pockets that is good because all gear should stay in your bad
unless you are using it. Pockets make it easier to organize.

Clothes
Yes you can wash clothes and shower (quickly)
1 pair lightweight synthetic pants
1 pair synthetic shorts / swim trunks
1 long sleeve shirt
1-2 short sleeve shirts
1 fleece top
1 softshell / windbreaker
1 set of foul weather gear (top / bottom )
Deck shoes and boots
Hat with a wide brim
Plenty of underwear

Safety Gear
PFD harness
Tether
Flashlight with red filter
Waterproof light
Gloves
Knife

Other
Personal / Toiletries soap toothpaste toothbrush comb towel (camp towel preferred)Medicine ibuprofen / aspirin / etc. bonine / scopalamine or other sea sick medicine
Aloe or other sunburn medication
Leisure star chart (Already on board) reading material (No notebooks)
Other Alarm clock, may not be necessary but can't hurt. Someone will always be awake and can serve as the alarm.
Sleeping bag (optional pillow)
Sun glasses (You may want to bring 2, I dropped a pair over board on the way there)
Backup eyeglasses/contacts (Good idea)
Sun block
Handkerchief
Camera ( and charger )
Bag for dirty clothes