I'm getting my shot

[tonybinTX]

Everyone has to be given (and earn) a shot at an offshore trip. I finally got mine and I'm looking to the members here to offer suggestions.

I've been invited to crew on a boat delivery from Stamford, CT to Key West, FL. Depart the second week of November. 1300 miles. 10-14 days at sea and we're not doing the ditch. We do not plan to stop and will sail the west side of the gulf stream until we're forced to cross.

We'll be in a Beneteau 423. 4 crew. 2 weeks at sea, we expect to hit some weather and I've got some good boots and gill foulies.

I have a comprehensive gear/clothing list, following all the basic rules. Use layers - no cotton, etc, etc. We're allowed one shower for the entire trip, so I'm bringing some wipes to keep clean. Otherwise I'm packing general things like a camera, ipod, knife and sleeping bag.

Questions I have:
What are some non-obvious gear choices I may not have considered?
What tips can you provide for a first-timer?
What's the weather like that time of the year (on the northern part).

Thanks!

[TxLnghrn]

Tony,
I cannot give you answers, but I wanted to chime in and say congratulations. You've got me very jealous now. Did you get the opportunity from one of the websites or personal connection?
Fair Winds and we'll be looking forward to a trip report.
Michael

[tonybinTX]

Thanks Michael.

It was a personal connection - a local sailor here in Austin that is moving his boat to the Galveston area. I'm on the first leg. It's a near perfect situation to pop my cherry because I know the skipper and he has done several crossings. He's also sparing no expense on outfitting the boat for the journey and the boat is a few years old, so all the kinks have hopefully been worked out. I've also raced with one of the other crew members on out of town races so we get along well.

I count myself lucky! I'm blessed to have a wife AND boss that understands, supports, and shares my addiction.

[tonybinTX]

Michael...almost forgot

GO MIZZOU!

[TxLnghrn]

Originally Posted by tonybinTX

Michael...almost forgot

GO MIZZOU!

Bite Me

Careful, I know people that can have you permanently banned from Austin for that.

[Boasun]

You know of all the years that I have sailed, including the North Atlantic and the Bering Sea. I have worn cotton dungrees, Jeans and sweats. Along with cotton socks. It is only in the last few years have I noticed a bias toward cotton. I do have the appropriate woolen gear also. But then again I have become endured to the cold and wet climes when in those regions and layered up warmly.

[tonybinTX]

Boasun - I tend to agree about cotton. If I stay dry, I'm usually fine.

My problem is that my thermostat runs hot so I tend to sweat more than most. I've a lot of experience with synthetic/wool blends from my mountaineering days in Colorado where there was a lot of activity to get the blood pumping. Sailing, at least in this case, seems to involve much less activity.

[tommays]

Its COLD to the point that you need to be aware of slowly getting hypothermia if you run into enough weather in the begining

I have had it happen in spring races real slow over a 24 hour peroid

[Omatako]

Originally Posted by tonybinTX

Questions I have:

What are some non-obvious gear choices I may not have considered?
What tips can you provide for a first-timer?
What's the weather like that time of the year (on the northern part).

Gear? Get yourself a good head-light to use at night. There'll be times when you're looking for something or doing something in a place were there is no light. Inexpensive and invaluable. Also a good sailing knife if you haven't one already.

Tips? Try to sleep whenever you get an opportunity. Don't let the excitement of the voyage keep you on deck. When you need to be on deck to do important stuff, you don't want to be knackered.

Weather? Sorry, no idea of that region, can't help

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by tonybinTX

...We're allowed one shower for the entire trip, so I'm bringing some wipes to keep clean. ...

Questions I have:
What are some non-obvious gear choices I may not have considered?

Nose plugs?

Just kidding. As for those wipes, you probably are familiar with the over-sized ones sold at camping/outfitting stores? Two or three can give your face and pits a good wipe-down. Three or four covers the whole body. Otherwise, bring lots of deoderant!

Re the headlamp previously suggested: Very good idea. I would just add that the kind with the flip down red filter can save your night vision when working on deck, etc.

Don't forget a stack of good reading material.

Have fun!