“What do I bring on board?” is the number-one question we get in the days before every departure. The short answer: less than you think. The long answer is this checklist, broken down by category, built on years of seeing what people actually use and what comes back home untouched. Save the page, you’ll need it before every embarkation.
The golden rule: soft luggage, always
Before getting into the details, a rule that applies to everyone: soft bags and backpacks only. Rigid suitcases do not fit in cabin lockers, and once on board you have nowhere to stow them. A 60-70 litre soft duffel comfortably covers a week’s cruise. For a weekend it is more than enough. Add a small backpack for shore trips (excursions, dinner ashore, walks in town) and you’re set.Documents and admin: no boarding without these
Let’s start with the non-negotiable block: if you’re missing one of these documents, boarding does not happen, regardless of how nice you are or how much you’ve paid.- Valid ID (national ID card or passport)
- Tax code (codice fiscale)
- Health insurance card (tessera sanitaria)
- Medical certificate of non-competitive sport fitness, valid — essential, must be handed in before boarding
- Membership form and adhesion form already signed (we send these via Yousign before departure)
- Receipt of the bank transfer for the training participation fee
- Any travel insurance documents, if you have purchased coverage
Clothing: the “layers” rule
The most common mistake is bringing 14 t-shirts and no windbreaker. At sea, temperature changes fast: you start at 28°C and three hours later, sailing, you’re cool with 20 knots of wind. Logic is “dressing in layers”, like in the mountains.Essentials (even in summer)
- 1 lightweight waterproof windbreaker (saves your night on a regatta and during sudden storms)
- 1 warm fleece or sweatshirt, even in August (nights at sea are cool)
- 2-3 technical short-sleeve t-shirts (dry fast, don’t smell after a day)
- 1 long-sleeve technical shirt (to cover from sun or evening cool)
- 2 pairs of technical or swim shorts
- 1 pair of light long trousers (for evenings or more formal contexts)
- 2-3 swimsuits (one is always wet)
- Underwear for the cruise days
- 1 cap with visor or wide brim, ideally with a wind cord
For peak summer (July-August)
Even though the season is hot, the wind in the evening while sailing cools things down. A light fleece is not optional. Also consider that with the evening breeze, everyone will be wearing a fleece — so don’t bring just one.For shoulder seasons (May, June, September)
Add: 1 thermal second layer, 1 pair of waterproof trousers (useful for rain or strong spray), 1 pair of spare warm socks. The difference between a great May cruise and a miserable one is exactly this.Shoes: the white-sole rule
On a boat, dark soles leave indelible marks on the teak deck. White non-slip soles, always. Two pairs in total are enough:- 1 pair of closed boat shoes (deck shoes, white-soled sneakers)
- 1 pair of technical sandals or rock-shoes (very useful when stepping ashore from the tender)
Sun and sea: serious protection, not the lake kind
The sun at sea is double what you get on land: radiated from above and reflected by the water. A burn on day one ruins the next three. So:- Sunscreen SPF 50 minimum, water resistant, at least 200ml for a week
- Sun stick for lips (they burn easily on a boat)
- Polarised sunglasses with cord — polarised reduces reflections off the water
- 1 snorkelling mask + snorkel (boat gear is usually available, but having your own is more hygienic)
- 1 large microfibre towel (dries in 30 minutes, takes no space)
- 1 traditional bath towel (for sunbathing)
Tech and accessories: what really matters
The temptation is to bring drone, GoPro, laptop, Kindle, wireless headphones. The reality is that on a boat 70% of these stay in the cabin because there’s no time. You need:- Phone with charger
- 10,000 mAh powerbank (boat sockets are limited, shared between 8 people)
- 1 personal water bottle (cuts plastic waste on board)
- 1 headlamp or LED torch (for cockpit evenings and finding things in the cabin in the dark)
- 1 small personal first-aid kit with plasters, painkillers and your usual medication (the boat has one but that is for emergencies)
- Any seasickness medication you may need, taken preventively
If you’re a photo/video enthusiast
GoPro or action cam with waterproof housing, yes, useful. Drone only if you can fly it in wind with no save point below: typically better to coordinate with the flotilla photographer if there is one. Laptop no, leave it home: Wi-Fi is poor and you have no time to use it.Personal provisions: small extras
The main provisions we do together before departure. But some items are worth bringing from home, especially if you have specific tastes:- Your favourite snacks (bars, dried fruit, chocolate)
- Your preferred coffee/tea if you’re “ritual” about morning coffee
- Thermal water bottle if you like cold water on long sails
- Any supplements or multivitamins
What NOT to bring (common mistakes)
This list matters as much as the previous one. These are things we see on board every time, every time go home untouched — or worse, take up space and break.- Rigid suitcase: doesn’t fit in lockers, we said it
- Tall rubber boots: heavy, bulky, useless on our summer routes
- Hairdryer, straightener, electric appliances: the boat has no continuous 220V for these loads
- More than 2 pairs of shoes: just volume
- “Nice” evening clothes: evenings on board are casual, even at restaurants ashore
- Strong perfumes, spray deodorants: with 8 people in tight quarters, the smell of others is already plenty
- Big knives or multitools: the boat has everything, and at the airport they’re trouble
- More than 1 book: you won’t have time for two, trust us
The summary checklist (printable)
Here’s the condensed version to tick off the night before departure:- ☐ Soft duffel 60-70 lt + small backpack
- ☐ Documents, medical certificate, receipts
- ☐ Windbreaker + fleece/sweatshirt
- ☐ 3 technical t-shirts + 2 shorts + 1 long trouser
- ☐ 2-3 swimsuits + underwear
- ☐ Cap + polarised sunglasses + cords
- ☐ White-sole shoes + technical sandals
- ☐ Sunscreen 50 + lip stick
- ☐ Mask + microfibre towel
- ☐ Phone, charger, powerbank
- ☐ Headlamp, torch, water bottle
- ☐ Personal first-aid kit + usual medication
- ☐ Seasickness medication if needed
