 |
Maine Windjammer-What to Bring | |
| The good news: it's all informal. The other good news: you don't need to bring much. | ||
|
|
|
Unlike big-ship cruises, Maine windjammers are informal. Wear the same thing every day all day if you like. Be comfortable. You want informal clothes—blue jeans, comfy sweaters— if you're hauling on a hawser, coiling a line or rowing a skiff. Fancy clothes are out of place. Your shoes should be soft-soled: deck shoes, sneakers, sandals or flip-flops. No leather-soled shoes or boots on boat decks, please. It's always cooler out on the water than on land, usually by at least 10° F (5.5° C), so bring more layers than you think you'll need and you should come out all right. (If you're asking yourself "Do I need this extra layer," the answer is yes.) In hot high summer (July, August) you'll think it crazy to bring jeans, a heavy top, a sweater, windbreaker and cap, but if fog moves in with an onshore breeze you may need them. In May, June, September and October, you will certainly need them, and probably more. A sun hat, sun glasses and sun block lotion may be necessary any time of year, as the sun can be intense, and with the glare on the water, delivers twice the burning rays as sun on land. In July and August be sure to bring a bathing suit and beach wear suitable for sunning on deck. Pack your clothes in soft-sided luggage (duffle, knapsack) the easier to fit your stuff into the odd cubbies and under-bunk spaces on a wooden vessel. You won't find room for a hard-sided suitcase or wheelie bag. Other items you may want: camera, binoculars, small games you like (cards, cribbage, etc.), iPod, books. Mobile phones can often find a signal from a nearby shore town while you're cruising, but you can't depend on always placing or receiving calls. Charge you battery fully before boarding! Internet? Fuggedaboudit! |
|
Tidy—but tiny!—Maine windjammer cabin. The photo was taken from outside the cabin, looking in. And this is for two voyagers!
|
