WHAT TO BRING
Here are some suggestions on
what to bring and what not
to bring.
As regards clothing /
toiletries / cosmetics: You
will not need lots of
cosmetics, but bring sun oil
& moisturiser cream. Ensure
you bring an all-round wide
brimmed hat and sun
glasses. Spare prescription
glasses? Any medication
needed and would you please
ensure you tell me in
advance (ie: before joining)
what medication you are on,
if any. Swimming togs,
several. Light (canvas or
plastic?) shoes for reef
walking / swimming and for
use on board when anchoring,
climbing mast, etc and for
when better grip than bare
feet is needed or when the
deck is too hot to stand on
comfortably; (please note
that we do not wear on board
any footwear that has ever
been used ashore). Bring
waterproof sandals to wear
in marinas when going to
their toilet & shower
facilities. Shorts,
several. Tops, including
something long sleeved as
protection from too much
sun. A pareo / sarong if
you like them could be a
useful (& light) extra
item. Shore shoes and / or
sandals. A pair of decent
jeans. A dress or skirt or,
for male crew, a better pair
of long trousers. A
pullover or cardigan for
cooler evenings. A pullover
or an anorak for any
unexpectedly cool night
watches.
For those times when we
might want to go to a better
restaurant or when we are
invited out to someone’s
home ashore, you might want
to bring something nicer;
but there will not be space
for several nicer outfits.
You might want to bring
mittens or light gloves for
handling ropes. Heavy
oilskins are definitely not
needed, nor are rubber
waterproof boots (except
ashore in some cases!).
Bring light rainwear if you
have them. You could well
want to bring a camera or
video camera.
Bring a beach towel for use
outside. We have bathroom
towels, bedding, basic
harnesses, lifejackets, etc,
but if you have a favourite
harness / lifejacket do
bring it. If you have face
mask & flippers & snorkel,
you could bring them or
borrow my spare snorkel &
face mask.
If you are likely to want to
sleep outside from time to
time, you might well want to
bring a light covering or a
very light sleeping bag for
protection from damp &
possibly for warmth as well.
Our cabin bed linen is not
used outside.
If you are going to want to
cover yourself with sun oil
and then want to lie on the
deck or on the roof or on
the airbed, then please
bring an ultra large beach
towel or something else to
lie on.
Please only bring
essentials. Storage space
is very limited.
Please really, really
seriously take note that
one's normal tendency, like
when going on holiday, is to
bring far, far too much and
then only to use much less
than half of the items
brought. Please ensure you
err on the side of
conserving space. If you
are in two minds whether
something is essential or
not, please do not bring
it. If in doubt,
don't. If you are wanting to
bring bulky or heavy items,
etc (such as scuba gear,
sextant, computer) or items
for a continued holiday
after leaving Mantra please
raise the subject beforehand
and then economise on what
else you bring.
Please only bring what fits
in one bag and please ensure
it is a soft bag that can be
rolled up for storage, ie:
not a backpack with solid
tubular frame and not a
suitcase (and not two
bags!).
This injunction to be
ruthless regarding what you
do (& do not) bring is
serious. Please,
please remember that storage
space is very limited.
