17th November 2025
Reading time: 10 Minutes
I like making lists. If I can’t be bothered to do something at least I can make a list of all the things that I can’t be bothered to do. And there’s nothing more annoying than doing a job and discovering that it never even hit the job list so you can’t have the immense pleasure of ticking it off.
Take Lists are good too. We have a laminated one in the campervan and it’s surprising how many times it has got us out of trouble.
Take Lists for expeditions are a bit more serious. A provisioning list which results in running out of coffee would be bordering on a disaster. Running out of paraffin, diesel or water would be even worse.
I have massive boat Take List, the list is massive not the boat. It is updated on the Download section of the website. While the boat is in Scotland and I live in London, leaving something like the the mainsail battens behind would be frustrating to say the least.
Here is just a little list of what I would probably pack if I was joining another yacht sailing for a couple of months in the Arctic.
THE BAGS
I would take my 85 L Ortlieb Waterproof Duffle as my main bag. It can be carried like a rucksack although the straps do benefit from adding some more padding. I use Plastizote and it works well. The great thing is that this bag is waterproof. If you get tossed out of the dinghy landing on a surf ridden beach with all your climbing equipment you will be very grateful for a bag that floats and keeps your kit dry. And that is not a hypothetical scenario.
On a small boat, while languishing at anchor, cabin space can be freed up if all the kit bags can be tossed into the cockpit without any fear of the contents getting wet. I detest noisy bags on wheels and they are banned from Sumara! I would ban them worldwide if I had a choice.
I would also like to take a day sack for walks ashore and for provisioning. I have an Ortlieb Atrack Bag like the one above but it is rather bulky to stow on a small yacht. Its great feature is that it unzips right along the back so you can quickly access everything. I bought it online, and if I had seen it in a shop I would have realised it was probably too bulky even when it is empty. Lesson learnt.
To save stowage space, if I was going on a small yacht, I would probably take my 59 L Orlieb Xtremer bag instead of the Atrack bag above. It has a simple roll top. The ability to roll the top makes this a very versatile bag. If you pass a grocery store you can load it up with provisions and you can even leave the top open for added space. When it is empty it will pack away neatly. They do a 35 L version too.
To keep my gear organised inside the bags I would take half a dozen Exped Dry Sacks with windows. I would make sure they are all different sizes and colours for quick identification. Thermal Tops, Socks and Underwear, Dirty Clothes etc. I used to buy all my thermals in black but now I have wised up and try to choose different colours.
I’ll take a waterproof folio for documents/passport/wallet etc and a small bag for my wash gear – not that much washing happens.
*I also take a small belt pouch.
SAILING WATERPROOFS
Being fed up with spending a small fortune on posh yachting gear which leaks or even seems to suck moisture inwards due to reverse osmosis, I have given up with the likes of Musto and resorted to what all the fishermen wear. Yellows!
My jacket is a Guy Cotten Rosbras Jacket in Nylpeche Fabric. The smocks are probably even better but I get pretty claustrophobic trying to get them on. I only wear this gear if it is raining. Gortex doesn’t exactly work in the rain in any case, so a non-breathable fabric which is totally waterproof suits me fine.
Again, the Guy Cotton Bib and Brace Trousers are generally worn in wet or rough weather. I have never found them sweaty, but I am sailing mainly in northern waters. The only downside is that these things are designed to be worn standing up. If you are lying on the deck with your legs facing forward then the waves rush up the legs and soak you.
I wear a Pair of Large Guy Cotten GC Ultralite Rubber Boots
These are easy to put on, insulated to -20°C and have a great grip and are really comfy. Not super pricey either. My leather Dubarry boots wore out far too quickly.
GENERAL OUTDOOR GEAR
Rab Generator Alpine Belay Jacket – These jackets have a Pertex Endurance outer fabric and Primaloft insulation with snug hood. They were recommended to me by Dave Hollinger – thanks for the tip! Fantastic piece of kit to snug up in. Great for dry night watches. I avoid real down on boats, even those which claim to be water resistant. This jacket packs away small but not as small as the older version.
*Belay waistcoat – Either Rab or Arc’teryx. Snug and handy with pockets. Packs away very small.
Walking Shower Jacket – Orange cheap Decathalon version with a hood which seems to work. Good for shore outings or hikes.
Pull-On Elasticated Waterproof Trousers – Pak-a-Mac type of thing for those wet dinghy rides or being caught out on a long walk.
*Hemp Engineers Jacket – Very comfortable jacket for general shore or calm on board use. Hemp is strong and super eco. My hemp jacket has buttons made from milk!
THERMAL UNDER AND MID LAYERS
I avoid polyester fleece because of the issue of micro fibre pollution. I always try to wear natural fibres and merino wool is my go to fabric for underwear. You can wear merino underwear for several weeks without it ever getting smelly! However, you need to check the origin of merino wool to ensure it is guaranteed mulesing free.
EDZ Merino Boxer Shorts (6 off)
Devold Merino Expedition Long Johns (2 off)
Devold Merino Expedition Round Neck Top (4 off)
Devold Merino Expedition Zip Neck Tops (2 off)
Gill i5 Crosswind Mid Layer – Great comfy mid-layer but ideally needs some pockets. I wear a belt pouch instead (see bags above). You can sleep in this if it’s really cold. It is able to withstand a light shower. Recommended by Alex Jack. This version seems to be dis-continued but is now replaced with Gill OS Performance Salopettes which claim to achieve the same function.
*Cotton Tee Shirts (1 off) Just in case there is a day which is too hot for merino.
TROUSERS AND PULLOVERS ETC
Technical Montane Terra Trousers (2 off) – Shower proof, comfy and seem to last forever. Zip pockets are important
Shorts – Swedish fast drying zipped pockets – These are Fjall Raven Abisko Hike Shorts. Highly recommended.
Oiled Wool Pullover
As heavy as possible. Oiled wool.
Canvas Smock
To keep the wind off. Useful pockets. Extra large so easy to don. Ideally with a loop for lanyard attachment.
HANDS AND HEAD
Devold Snood (2 off) – Merino and checked for non-mulesing.
Qivuit Snood
Qivuit is the soft fibre from the underbelly of the musk ox. You don’t need to get too near to these amazing beasts as, in the spring, they rub a lot of fibre from their bellies onto the bushes because they get too warm. The fibre is eight times warmer than merino wool.
Qivuit Beanie
It’s a long story but this is my £600 hat!
Merino Beanie – Thin enough to go underneath my Gortex hat
Lowe Alpine Gortex Hat with Ear Muffs – To be worn over merino beanie to cut out any wind and rain.
*Gill Neck Towel – To stop drips getting down my neck
Gloves – I have written a whole section on gloves here
Felted Woollen Mitts (2 pairs) – One pair drying while the other gets wet. Wool remains warm even when wet. Twin thumbs are even better.
*A Pair of Climbing Mitts – Just in case it gets seriously cold. I have a better pair but they are reserved for seriously cold weather.
Industrial Thermal Fisherman’s Gloves – Mainly used for hauling up the anchor chain as we have no winch. Handy for sitting in the cockpit too.
Thick Woollen Socks (6 pairs) – They need to be loose enough to get on with damp salty feet. Devold ones work fine as do Moggans. A mix of wool and a bit of nylon for strength seems to work best.
Thin Socks (4 pairs) – Could be merino or alpaca
*Felted Wool Slippers or Guy Cotton Over Socks – For cabin use. I’m afraid the over socks are polyester fleece but I have owned them for decades and it seems a shame to throw them away.
*Walking Boots – If there is space (and there won’t be). Climbing boots and crampons may be needed on some expeditions
Scarpa Approach Shoes – For general use and as deck shoes
*Deck Shoes or Crocs – Leather deck shoes with grippy soles. I buy cheap ones now as even the expensive ones suffer from the soles turning hard and slippy. Alternatively Crocs are easy and quick to don. They are handy for wading out over pebble or rocky beaches when launching the dinghy.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Glasses – In my case varifocals. One set on my nose and another in a bag in case I lose or break the ones that I am wearing. Plus a set of reading glasses for working on the engine (or reading) and varifocal sun glasses. All with lanyards!
Mobile Phone and Charging Cable – AGM Glory ruggedised with thermal camera
Camera – My phone camera isn’t very good so I would ideally take a small travel zoom camera. I have a Panasonic DC- TZ95 with an impressive zoom but it feels rather fragile. For rough trips I’d pack my waterproof Lumix DC Vario.
Watch – A waterproof watch is handy to know when your actual watch is coming to an end.
Leatherman Skeletool – For general use. I know everyone thinks they are rubbish but I happen to like mine!
Serrated Rescue Knife – To slash through the life-raft webbing, cut the anchor free or free the liferaft from its painter.
USB Stick – Assuming the boat has a means of using it. I would load it with music, talking books and podcasts – In Our Time being an old favourite.
*Book to Read – It always surprises me how little time there is to read, but if we get weather bound it could be a good diversion. I would highly recommend “The Worst Journey in the World”. Once you have read about peoples teeth shattering in the cold you will stop moaning about the draft coming from Sumara’s top wash board not being inserted. Leaving the top board out was I lesson I learnt in the days before carbon monoxide alarms were invented, together with hand pumping the bilge to remove any gas. Not that I have gas on Sumara.
Waterproof Journal Book and Space Pen – To record those memories, good and bad.
Headtorch – I am very pleased with my Decathlon rechargeable one which was a present from Matteo. It also takes batteries which is an essential feature when camping.
*Whistle – Acme Siren Whistle
*Garmin Inreach – For emergency use mainly when on land
MISCELLANEOUS
Pillow Case – A bit of comfort can help you sleep. Looking after yourself is pretty important. Who wants a knackered Crew (or Skipper).
Swimming Trunks – I have learnt that diving into freezing Arctic water is not a great idea unless you are a very robust youth but Iceland abounds with naturally thermally heated pools and hot tubs so swimming gear is crucial!
Handkerchiefs – A couple would be handy for a dripping nose or stemming the flow of blood from an artery
Towel – I made a microfibre changing towel by sewing two towels together. Very handy but you need an extra small towel for drying your feet.
Wash Bag – Loaded with whatever you need. Cut off tooth brush etc.
Mosquito Head Net – And handy for midges
Thermal Flask – To save money on airport coffee and for a warm drink mid watch.
SAFETY GEAR
This is really gear that would normally be part of the boats kit but sometimes it is necessary to bring your own.
Guy Cotten Survival Suit – Just in case things get really grim.
Climbing Gear – Depending on the trip but a simple harness can also be handy for mast climbing.
Lifejacket – I have a preference for manual operation. If I am flying then I will pack my Spinlok Lite lifejacket to save weight and space.
Dry Suit – In case of the need to swim to inspect the boat or to get back to the boat if the dinghy fails or gets attacked by a bear.
Of course it won’t all fit in the bags so I have added an star to the items I would leave behind. I bet I’ve forgotten something?
OK the eagle eyed reader will have noted that I have forgotten to pack a sleeping bag!
Sleeping Bags – I don’t like mummy shaped bags. I find them too claustrophobic so I search out rectangular ones, often called blanket sleeping bags. Its tricky because all the decent high spec bags seem to be mummy shaped. My existing bag is worn out so I am looking for a new one right now. I can’t be too bulky in case we go camping with it. I would avoid natural down.
Bivvy Bag – If your skipper suggests it might be an idea to bring a bivvy bag, it basically means “my decks might leak”. It’s not just wooden boats, the wettest journey I’ve ever had was crossing the Biscay in an Oyster. It was the pits! Mind you, in extreme conditions pretty much any boat can get wet, so a bivvy bag is a great precaution.
Leave a Reply