It's nearly that time, again! This week is 'Black Friday' week, so I decided to put together a short list of items I've found to be essential for my sailing over the years. All of these items (excluding the book and the boots - I have Le Chameau) can be found in my waterproof kit bag and I never go sailing without it.
When sailing, especially on someone else's boat, I find the opportunity to recharge a phone or camera can be challenging. That's why I use this heavy duty, high capacity charger with waterproof solar panels.
The battery stores 25,000 mAh giving you several charges of the average smartphone.
25000mAh Ultra-large Capacity: With the capacity of 25000mAh, it can charge most smartphones for 8-10 times, tablets for 3-4 times.
4 Solar Panels: With 4 high-efficiency foldable solar panels, it's up to 1A input under the direct sunlight, which is 4- 6 times faster than the other solar chargers.
Safety Protection: Dual USB outputs allow you to charge 2 devices simultaneously with 2.1A high charging speed. Auto-adjust the current of access device to pair the optimal output.
Built for Outdoors: Built-in 9 LED flashlight supports normal, sos and strobe modes; Waterproof, dust and shock construction，adapting to a variety of harsh environments.
What You Get: A 25000mAh solar charger, a micro USB cable and an user manual.
If you ever find yourself in a position where you need to cut a line fast, you need a proper knife to do it! This purpose-designed Gerber Safety Knife cuts through modern sailing lines like it would through the proverbial butter. I know, because I've had cause to use it in three emergency situations!
I would never sail without a good safety knife on my lifejacket. This is great for sailors. It folds away, it's robust and it has a blunt end, meaning that you can't stab your lifejacket, yourself or your crew mates!
Textured handle with SoftGrip
One-hand opening
Full serration with blunt tip
Overall Length: 7.91"
Length Closed: 4.51"
Length of Blade: 3.51"
Weight: 2.6 oz.
Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless
Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon with Soft grip Inserts
Blade Style: Clip Point
Blade Type: Full Serration
Blade Length :: 8.9 cm
locking blade
In addition to a safety knife with serrated blade, I carry a multi tool which has pliers knives and screwdriver heads, plus bottle opener (for the committed sailor)!
The Leatherman Wave is not cheap, but it is the recognised leader in sector and is THE multi tool for the bowman on the cool boat.
The Wave Plus is the only multi-tool you will need, filled with the essential tools for any task, be that car work or home improvements, the Wave Plus is easy-to-use with outside-accessible features
This durable multi-tool features replaceable wire cutters, regular and needlenose pliers, a powerful 7.37 cm lockable 420HC stainless steel blade and a 420HC serrated knife
Leatherman multi-tools come with everything you need for all jobs around the house or for setting a campsite; including can and bottle openers, wood and metal files and large and small driver bits
Whether at home or out and about, the Leatherman Wave Plus has all the tools you need for a day of hard labour, exploring the wild and then relaxing by a fire with a well-deserved drink
Items delivered: 1 x Leatherman Wave Plus multi-tool, stainless steel multifunctional tool and sheath with 18 tools built-in, one hand operable for indoors and outdoors
I use the DJI Osmo Action. This is the Osmo Action 1, but they also have an Osmo Action 2 (which is smaller & more expensive).
Personally, I really rate the DJI Osmo Action 1 and it's now half the price of the Go Pro 10 or Osmo Action 2. It's a really robust camera offering HQ 4K video, stills, Timelapse, Hyperlapse and slow motion. It's also waterproof which, on a boat, is essential, as we know. You can use GoPro accessories and mounts including head and body mounts.
DOUBLE DISPLAY: Whether you want to record your world from behind a lens or be the star of the show, Osmo Action’s dual screens allow you to capture it all with the touch of a button
ROCKSTEADY: RockSteady combines EIS (Electronic Image Stabilisation System) with complex algorithms, delivering stable, shake-free footage no matter how heavy the action gets
DYNAMIC DETAILS WITH HDR: Enhance the dynamic range of your footage when recording with HDR video; the natural transition between light and shadow will make you capture those rich details
11 M WATERPROOF: Sporting a watertight seal and a hydrophobic coating on the back touchscreen, Osmo Action is waterproof at depths of up to 11 meters, making it the perfect underwater companion
EXPLORE DIVERSE FUNCTIONS: Such as Slow Motion, Custom Exposure Setting, Timelapse, Timed Shooting Mode, Custom Mode, QS Button, SnapShot, Voice Control
I've owned this model of watch for several years now. Suunto is a well recognised brand and their watches look very cool.
This one is at the lower end of the price bracket at just over £100. It has a barometer (which I find very useful) plus dual time (useful on passage) and sunrise and sunset times, useful for estimating nautical twighlight.
The Suunto Core integrates the most important outdoor features in a sturdy construction with a comfortable elastomer strap
The combination of altimeter, barometer and compass with weather information is the essential tool for your adventures
Dual display of time, date, daily alarm and sunrise and sunset times
Matrix display with electroluminescent backlighting, User replaceable battery, 12 months autonomy in time mode, Multilingual menu available in English, French, German and Spanish, Operating temperature from -20° C to + 60° C
Content: 1x Suunto Core Outdoor Sports Watch, Material: Elastomer (strap), Mineral glass, Colour: All Black, SS014279010
Waterproof & breathable sailing boots of today are pretty hi tech. They are warm and comfortable. The Dubarry Ultima is a very popular boot, especially amongst inshore sailors. They even look cool in the bar. Well, I assume so, given how many pretty things wear them in the bar!
For the best in offshore sailing boots, I recommend the robust and fantastically warm Le Chameau Neptune Sailing Boot.
The Dubarry Ultima leather sailing boots for men are waterproof, fully breathable, with non slip and non marking soles.
The GORE-TEX lining also ensures your feet stay warm.
An expandable section of Lycra has been incorporated into the boot to facilitate both the average and the above average calf measurements
Warm GORE-TEX lining that wicks perspiration away from the foot. Made from the highest quality water resistant crushed leather - a hybrid between pull up and nubuck. Moulded rubber branding inserted to centre leg band
Brass, rust proof emblem. Dubarry's award-winning NonSlip - NonMarking outsole design. Duo compound PU and Rubber sole which is directly inject moulded onto the upper
For the crew member or skipper that loves real coffee, the Aero Press Travel Kit is a small and easy to use, self-contained coffee press and mug. It all packs away to the size of a mug and is easily packed and stowed for quick and easy use on board even the fastest race yacht. It weighs just 318g.
IT’S ALL ABOUT TASTE, ON THE GO – The rapid brewing AeroPress Go makes smooth, delicious coffee and avoids bitterness and high acidity created by the long steep time required by a French Press. Plus, the AeroPress Microfilter Paper eliminates grit and means clean up takes seconds.
PERFECT FOR TRAVEL & ON THE GO - Brew anywhere! The AeroPress Go is thoughtfully engineered to provide all the delicious brewing capabilities of the original AeroPress plus a convenient drinking mug that doubles as a carrying case.
EASY AND VERSITILE – The AeroPress Go makes 1 to 3 cups of smooth American style coffee per pressing, in under a minute. Unlike a French Press, it can also brew espresso style coffee for use in lattes, cappuccinos and other espresso based drinks. You can also experience the smooth taste cold brew style over ice with milk.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL COFFEE – Its smart design ensures that you will never be without delicious AeroPress brewed coffee wherever you go. The Go comes with its own 15oz (444ml) travel mug with lid and is engineered so the the AeroPRess and all of its accessories (scoop, stirrer, 350 microfilter papers, filter) fit inside the mug for travelling. Packed down the AeroPress Go measures 5.3” x 3.9” x 3.9”.
WORLD RENOUNDED COFFEE PRESS – Popular with coffee enthusiasts worldwide, the patented AeroPress is a new kind of coffee press that uses a rapid, total immersion brewing process to make smooth, delicious, full flavoured coffee without bitterness and with low acidity.
Single and shorthanded sailing is a skill all its own and, let's be honest, even when sailing with rookie friends and family, it can sometimes feel like you're singlehanded anyway!
Duncan Wells is an RYA instructor, Principal of Westview Sailing School and features writer for Yachting Monthly, Sailing Today and SAIL magazine.
More essentials for the budding navigator! A Portland Plotter & dividers for your bag.
It also comes in at an affordable sum!
A robust, bright and waterproof torch is a lifesaver at night. Modern LED torches are particularly powerful and the Lenser brand is well known for being a high quality torch.
I always have my lenser torch in my pocket when sailing at night.
Ledlenser P14: Xtreme LED light, high-quality aluminium, high light output, combined with numerous functions and features, wide range of applications e.g. when hiking, private use or outdoor camping, with accessories
Long and high light output: high-performance and extremely bright flashlight, 800 lumens, 50 hours runtime and 350 m range, for light at the highest level of performance
Three light settings: easy to select light functions thanks to power with high light output, low power with energy-saving light for long runtimes, e.g. when reading glare-free and boost for maximum power for short-term use
Extra functions: the patented advanced focus system and the rapid focus function offer easy and quick handling when changing between circular near light to focused high beam
Box contents: gift box with 1 torch, including 1 battery kit, belt bag, hand strap. Colour: black
11. Buy a Gift Card with Free Sailing Tutorials
Buy a gift card for the sailor in your life for as little as just £10!
The card can be used against any of our services or online products.
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