The Essentials
1. Bags
Leave your rigid luggage at home! Soft-sided duffels stow more easily under a bunk or in a locker. For trips ashore in the dinghy, a waterproof bag with a roll-top closure is the safest way to transport your gear — even better if it has mesh pockets or bungees to keep wet towels away from iPads and cameras.
2. Clothes
Multipurpose is the name of the game. Can you wear the shirt snorkeling for sun protection? Great! Can your skirt today double as a dress tomorrow? Pack it! Will those shorts dry quickly if you wash them in the sink? You get the idea.
3. Shoes
Dinghy rides ashore are seldom dry occasions, so grab some sandals made for water use. Sand and boats don’t mix well, so if you’re coming back from the beach, remember to dunk your feet in the water before climbing aboard!
4. Sunglasses
Polarized lenses protect your eyes from glare off the water. Plastic lenses are lightweight and impact-resistant, while glass is less easy to scratch. Keep sunglasses out of the drink with eyewear retainers such as Croakies or Chums.
Our Picks
1. Helly Hansen NOOD Regattas Hat and Belt
Join the fun in a rally race!
$20, $29; www.team1newport.com
2. Kaenon Clarke Sunglasses
Lightweight and polarized
$199, kaenon.com
3. Columbia Super Tamiami
Vented for breathability
$64, www.columbia.com
4. Helly Hansen HP QD Classic Shorts
Lightweight for hot days
$70, www.shop.hellyhansen.com*
5. Gill Cargo Bag
Segregated wet and dry compartments, collapses flat
$135, www.gillna.com
6. Keen Maupin
Fully adjustable for perfect fit
$90, www.keen.com
7. Columbia Global
Adventure Packable Hat, adjustable chin strap
$30, www.columbia.com
8. Kaenon Palisades
Impact-resistant lenses in hand-painted frames
$249, www.kaenon.com
9. Columbia Tamiami Sleeveless Shirt
UPF 40 sun protection
$35, www.columbia.com
10. Dry Case Basin Backpack
Fully waterproof with roll top
$100, www.drycase.com
11. Patagonia Kamala Convertible Skirt
Doubles as a halter dress
$69, www.patagonia.com
12. Keen Sage Sandal
Closed front protects toes from cleats
$90, www.keen.com
Eleanor Merrill is CW’s managing editor. Special thanks to On Watch Sailing for allowing us to take pictures aboard the 44-foot ketch Lyra, available for charter in Newport, Rhode Island.
