5 Things Worth Remembering

Small details that quickly become important on a summer trip 

You can plan your route, check the weather forecast, and pack the cooler before you leave home. And yet, there’s almost always something you don’t notice until the boat is moored at the next port. Most sailors know the feeling. 

That little thing you were sure was on board. Or the piece of gear you don’t realize you’re missing until you actually need it. 

Here are five classic items that many people realize they’re missing a little too late on their summer cruise. 

1. The extra mooring line
   It seems unnecessary back at your home harbor. That is, until you’re moored on the outer edge, the wind picks up, or the mooring spot turns out to be a bit more challenging than expected. Then that extra line suddenly becomes the most important piece of gear of the day. 
2. Long Cables
   Some marinas have power right next to the boat. Other times, it feels like the power pole is in the next town over. An extra-long cable or a good extension cord saves a surprising number of evenings at the marina. 
3. Coffee for the next morning
   Everything looks cozy in the evening. But if you wake up before the rest of the marina, without coffee on board, the morning can quickly feel longer than the day’s sail. Many sailors learn this lesson exactly once. 
4. Power banks and chargers
   Phones, tablets, navigation, music, and weather forecasts use more power than you think. And of course, you don’t realize it until your battery hits 3 percent right in the middle of the next harbor. 
5. Cash for the Little Harbor Kiosk
   MobilePay is available almost everywhere. Almost.
   But some of the coziest little ice cream stands, flea markets, and local summer events still get by just fine without a perfect connection or card terminals. 

That’s also part of the sailing life 

Part of the charm of summer sailing trips is also those little situations you can’t quite plan your way out of. 

You forget something. Find a solution. Help each other out on the bridge. And have a little laugh about it later. 

Those little moments and acts of improvisation always end up becoming an unforgettable part of the stories from a summer on the water. 

Ready for the next trip? 

If you’re getting your boat ready for this summer’s trips, there are also a few classic things you’ll realize you’ve forgotten just a little too late. You can find more great summer cruising tips in the guide: 5 Things You Mustn’t Forget Before Your Next Trip on the Water.