Crewing the ARC - what to pack (and not to take)?

matt1 said:
Don't underestimate the number of books you will read (albeit on a kindle). Some secret favourite food item for when you get cravings mid way across. I became addicted to barley sugars and butterscotch sweets on the long night watches. Not even sure you can get them now!
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+1 to all that.
And a tip: don't spend a watch on the second night sitting on the Kindle. They don't like it.
 
A video camera with good image stabilisation. This could be the trip of a life time and you will regret it later if you don't get good video.
 
Chocolate, sleeping bag liner (you won’t need the bag after the first few days), star recognition book/app, lightweight oilies, ear plugs, camera, suntan lotion.
 
Hi Took oilies but only ever used the jacket on a few cold nights otherwise shorts & tees with a fleece for night. Head torch well worth it. Has others stated books and music -music loaded onto phone not streamed :) as youngers one found when they had no connection and had to listen to my selection - especially dancing to Proclaimers @ 2 in the morning when there were 500 miles to go :)
Washing powder /liquid for clothes
Enjoy your trip :)
 
Tiger Rag said:
Do not underestimate how much free time you will have. There is very little sailing (apart from helming if you feel like it but pilot will do most of that as well) to do .........
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That’s not a given - we helmed 23 hours out of every 24 last year, only using the auto helm when the crew all dined together at sunset. The idea was that it kept those on watch alert, and the temptation to lay back on the deck, watch the stars in the night sky and slowly drift off would have been very strong if the boat was looking after itself. We didn’t see anything by way of shipping after turning right when the butter melted, until St Lucia appeared on the horizon, so keeping watch wasn’t as demanding as in the Channel.

Switching your smartphone/IPad to airplane mode saves battery, and I found the SkyView app a handy way of identifying stars and satellites.

Watch out for the skipper telling you that east-west is the milk run, and that to really wear the red trousers you have to do west-east, which is more “fun”. I’ve got my flight booked to Antigua for next May to found out how much more fun it really is.

Have fun!
 
Tomaret said:
Watch out for the skipper telling you that east-west is the milk run, and that to really wear the red trousers you have to do west-east, which is more “fun”. I’ve got my flight booked to Antigua for next May to found out how much more fun it really is.
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They are mostly not joking! Wouldnt call chasing the sun a milk run exactly, Ive had some sporting moments on various crossings. But coming back puts hairs on yer chest. Normally allow for 2 gales..... :encouragement:
 
Tomaret said:
That’s not a given - we helmed 23 hours out of every 24 last year, only using the auto helm when the crew all dined together at sunset. The idea was that it kept those on watch alert, and the temptation to lay back on the deck, watch the stars in the night sky and slowly drift off would have been very strong if the boat was looking after itself. We didn’t see anything by way of shipping after turning right when the butter melted, until St Lucia appeared on the horizon, so keeping watch wasn’t as demanding as in the Channel.

Switching your smartphone/IPad to airplane mode saves battery, and I found the SkyView app a handy way of identifying stars and satellites.

Watch out for the skipper telling you that east-west is the milk run, and that to really wear the red trousers you have to do west-east, which is more “fun”. I’ve got my flight booked to Antigua for next May to found out how much more fun it really is.

Have fun!
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I've helmed all across the North Atlantic (auto unreliable) west to east & from Cape Town to UK (no auto fitted), even took others watches. Even on a completely 'blank' ocean/sea, have never felt the need to read any novel, too much to see.
 
alant said:
I've helmed all across the North Atlantic (auto unreliable) west to east & from Cape Town to UK (no auto fitted), even took others watches. Even on a completely 'blank' ocean/sea, have never felt the need to read any novel, too much to see.
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+1 how can one be bored on an ocean crossing, it has to be the most silently beautiful place to be on earth , away from the tech , the noise , the pollution, the people , learn a language , take an instrument learn to play , study the stars , for navigation, read the history of those before you , read about were you are going , take bird and whale and dolphin id books, join one of the survey groups to help identify any wildlife you see ,
Just sit back and take it all in and breath. and be thankful you are there
 
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alant said:
I've helmed all across the North Atlantic (auto unreliable) west to east & from Cape Town to UK (no auto fitted), even took others watches. Even on a completely 'blank' ocean/sea, have never felt the need to read any novel, too much to see.
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If the OP treats that as advice, and takes no books, he will have a problem if he finds he does want to read. There aren't many bookshops out there! :D
 
Poignard said:
If the OP treats that as advice, and takes no books, he will have a problem if he finds he does want to read. There aren't many bookshops out there! :D
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Bernard Moitessier (The long Way ) can best describe what I think is truly the essence of sailing the oceans, but Im an old romantic, anything can become tedious if it becomes your job , like a delivery skipper, but I would think it extremely difficult to be bored on any passage, I once had a conversation with my brother about the sea , been at sea since he was 15, know 49 , followed my father who was at sea for 30 years and younger brother still at sea ,
He sat me down once over a few sherbets and for once became slightly emotional for a 6ft 4 inch Glaswegian ,and told me the sea calls to him and he needs to go.
 
Poignard said:
If the OP treats that as advice, and takes no books, he will have a problem if he finds he does want to read. There aren't many bookshops out there! :D
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Why would he "want to read"?
Its his first time, so would have thought enjoying the experience was paramount, he can read books sitting in an armchair at home. Anyway, he should spend his daytime on deck looking out for all those containers at periscope depth we keep being warned about.;)
 
alant said:
Why would he "want to read"?
Its his first time, so would have thought enjoying the experience was paramount, he can read books sitting in an armchair at home. Anyway, he should spend his daytime on deck looking out for all those containers at periscope depth we keep being warned about.;)
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:D
I found that with watchkeeping, repair jobs, cooking, cleaning, chatting to my mates, washing and above all sleeping, I didn't get nearly as much reading done as I had thought I would.
 
Poignard said:
:D
I found that with watchkeeping, repair jobs, cooking, cleaning, chatting to my mates, washing and above all sleeping, I didn't get nearly as much reading done as I had thought I would.
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Certainly, Atlantic trips on my own boat have been easy to keep occupied. Atlantic trips on other peoples boats to a certain extent, but one isnt gonna get stuck in to deep cleaning or the fiddly fixit jobs.....not without the owner onboard, its not your choice outside of routine maintenance.

Outside of the OP question, but see how nice books are to have sailing across the Pacific........ oh, and astro, 'thank heavans' for that. ;)
 
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