Gear by Experience Level
Life Jacket (PFD Type III)
Coast Guard-approved inflatable or foam PFD.
Non-negotiable — wear it every time you're on deck offshore.
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Foul Weather Gear (Jacket + Bibs)
Offshore-rated waterproof jacket and bib pants.
Getting soaked on a passage leads to hypothermia.
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Non-Slip Sailing Shoes
Boat shoes with drainage ports and grip soles.
Wet decks are slippery — proper footwear prevents overboard incidents.
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Polarized Sunglasses
UV-blocking polarized lenses.
Water reflection amplifies UV — eye protection is critical.
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Sailing Gloves
Half-finger or full-finger grip gloves.
Rope handling damages hands quickly on long passages.
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Safety Harness + Tether
Offshore jackline-compatible harness.
Required for offshore sailing — jacklines keep you connected to the boat.
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EPIRB or PLB
Emergency position-indicating radio beacon.
Offshore emergencies require distress signaling capability.
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Handheld VHF Radio
Waterproof VHF for communication.
Primary communication tool with other vessels and coast guard.
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AIS Transponder
Class B AIS for vessel tracking and collision avoidance.
Offshore, large ships move fast — AIS gives you 20+ minutes of warning.
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Offshore Flare Kit
SOLAS-approved parachute flares for offshore passages.
Visual distress signals for search and rescue.
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Life Raft (Offshore Rated)
ISO-certified life raft sized for crew.
Offshore passages require abandon-ship capability.
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Packing List
Must Have
- Life jacket (PFD)
- Foul weather gear
- Safety harness + tether
- VHF radio
- Sunscreen
- Non-slip footwear
- Personal medications
Nice to Have
- Sailing gloves
- Merino base layers
- Dry bags for electronics
- Headlamp (red light mode)
- Seasickness medication
Leave at Home
- Open-toe sandals offshore
- Heavy luggage (space is premium)
- Glass bottles below deck
Where to Shop
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