If a Sailor Girl can pack in under 20kgs, anyone can

Sailor Girl
Mar 28, 2016
4 min read

There are some differences in the packing requirements for a Sailor Girl and a Sailor Boy, mainly driven by a general requirement to wear something on your top half and also having hair that is much higher-maintenance. Hence, this packing list is written by the Sailor Girl. The Sailor Boy can leave stuff out and replace it with extra Vaporub.

The biggest, bulkiest item will be wet weather gear - there will be a separate post about that because it's a bit important. For the sake of weight limit, assume you have to have some and read on.

Firstly, once you have your nice light bag as advised here, you need some smaller bags to go in it. When you're heeling over at 45º and trying to hold yourself up with every limb you have, you don't want to be fumbling about in your bag looking for your last dry pair of underwear, so these bags in bags are brilliant. Just grab the one you need, et voila! There’s your pants!

Clothing - do not go mad. The more you have, the more you have to wash, the less space you have in your cabin, the more stuff you just have to dry!

This is the list:

Underwear, I love new undies! I suggest a trip to Tesco or Primark and buy the 5 pack undies, about 3-4 packs: 1 because they are pre-folded and in handy bags, 2- FRESH UNDIES! 3- you know exactly how many you have and when you need to do a wash.
Bottom half - it's extremely hard to find any sort of sailing clothing that looks good on women. Men are so lucky, they get lovely trousers, perfect for sailing, they fit their shape and they look great. Women on the other hand have all frumpy, uncomfortable, non-stretch trousers. Being a sailor girl with a ‘bit more to love’ going on, it's impossible. There is a huge market here! “Sexy practical sailing gear for women!!” (you heard it here first!) Anyway, while we are waiting for that to happen - pack Bikram Yoga pants. They are quick dry, extremely light, you can move around freely, and your backside looks great! Plus, they are so easy to pack and fold! Take 3 pairs - one for day, one for night, one for spare/in the wash.
Top half - a few strap tops, a few long sleeved, some mid layer fleeces. its all in the folding, and the bags in bags. Less is more.
Shoes! All hail Crocs!! Forget expensive deck shoes, these are where it's at. They may be the ugliest shoe ever invented, they may be the best contraceptive ever, but they are brilliant! They are light! They are waterproof! They float! They are easy to clean! Hygienic! Their grip is fantastic! And you can get cool little badges to go on them! Finally, if you really want to impress, Sexy Sock’n’Crocs if your feet are cold. They are pretty cheap too and walking on land doesn't wreck their soles.
One outfit for land - just the one. Its always tempting to take tones of heels, dresses, fancy tops and jeans for the ‘Just incase’ moment. Trust me, leave it at home, you won’t have that ‘just in case’ moment! Take one item of clothing, one piece of jewellery and one scarf, now you can dress up or down!! My chosen items are my plain long black skirt, my famous peace sign necklace that everyone knows me for, and a scarf. All of which fold to nothing, weigh nothing, and look great with everything.
Comfort blanket - we all have one. Whether its a blanket or a jumper, I never deprive myself from that one item of clothing that makes me feel warm, safe, and cozy for when I'm off watch and chilling! Treat yourself!
Beauty
Hair Brush! For obvious reasons.
Hask argan hair oil- Love this stuff, its fantastic for if you've got hair down to your bum like me so protect again the wind and salt water which is terrible for your hair! Also an effective face moisturiser and a little bit goes a Long Way
Tape measure - keep an eye on your weight, but for general DIY too!
WATERPROOF mascara.
One pallet of Blusher with different colours, (can use it for eye shadow too)
Floss and tooth brush!
Hair bobbles
Lippy with SUN PROTECTION! for when you're feeling a bit frisky!
Tweezers! (to get those pesky buggers that pop up, and also great in medical emergencies!)
Safety pins! You would be surprised how often they are useful. And they take no space!
Teatree and witch hazel blemish and spot stick. STOP THEM BEFORE THEY GET OUT! and it feels all tingly!
Hygiene for both ends - a loofah and deodorant, wet wipes and facial wipes
Pharmaceuticals
Lemsip- Its the worst when you come down with the flu or a cold when on a delivery! Always be prepared!
ManFlu Chicken soup- This stuff rocks! nothing like chicken soup when your feeling under the weather: This one is full of vitamins and nutrients too!
Nurofen period pain relief- whats worse than the flu on a delivery? Your Period. If your like me and really suffer with pain on that torture time of month: I find these are the bomb
Cura-Heat- Again fantastic for that time of month, but also amazing for back aches or muscle problems!
Kalms- great for just taking that little bit of stress edge off, After you've been in a thunder storm for a few days, you can start to feel a bit tense and emotional, Kalms are great and a natural ingredient way not to feel sleepy but just to breathe a big deeper and enjoy the sail!
Zolverax- for those pesky bloody coldsores! Hate those fuckers.
Panadol Soluble- For general headaches, soluble ones I find better as there less harsh on the tummy, and they have caffeine which makes it hit the system quicker.

TOP TIP- Take all cardboard off! It takes up space and weight, plus cockroaches lay their eggs in cardboard and they are not passengers you want to share your trip with.