54 replies to this topic

[Sophia]

As most of y'll probably already know, in a few weeks I will be going on my very first live-aboard. While on the July NC trip, I overheard a suggestion of packing a T-shirt in a ziplock to wear on the last day. In another thread someone suggested that Uno would be good to take because I will be by myself. Both sound like a darn fine ideas. Do y'll have any other suggestions for packing for a live-aboard?

Also, this is my packing list so far. I am probably forgetting something important.

Almost all scuba gear
SeaSafe Sunscreen
Mosquito repellent with lots of DEET
All Swimsuits
Camera, Housing, and camera stuff
5 pairs of shorts
5 T-shirts
Walking shoes
Flip-flops
Socks/Underwear
Hygiene Bag - Shampoo, toothbrush, comb etc.
Disposable Books - many
Batteries for everything
Walkman/Headset
Pillow (no comments, must have pillow)
Cash for tips
Woolite
Uno and maybe regular cards. (I love games)

Should I bring a towel?
Will need pants or a jacket?
Any Scuba gear more important on a live-aboard? I plan on taking both my wetsuits, and my repair box. Anything else?

My Scuba Equipment takes 1.5 suitcases, so I am trying to pack lean and mean. On the other hand, if it means I will be more comfortable, I might take 3 checked bags and just pay the airline their blood money.

[jextract]

Based on your list, I'm guessing you're going for about three weeks?

[scubagirl1966]

one week on a liveaboard ?? .. you have too many shorts and t shirts :0)

Seriously - you only need clothing for lunchtime ( maybe ) and a few hours in evening - you`ll be crashed by 9:30 pm ... 10 at the latest. 3 pair of shorts is fine for a week - unless you expect to be off the boat a lot

It depends on the liveaboard but I doubt you`ll need flip flops - most boats you`ll be bare footed all week - if there are no land walks planned you need 1 pair of socks for when you leave and the shoes you travelled in.

I don`t see the need to pack a go home t-shirt in a zip lock back .. but then I don`t see the need to travel home clean either ! - you`re gonna get all sweaty and crumpled on the flight anyway.

May I suggest you invest in rechargeable batteries and a charger - aside from being much more economical - they weigh less and it is MUCH nicer to the environment

Don`t forget sunglasses + seasickness meds
something like pepto bismol is always smart too

Bug spray ??? ... where are you going ??

a sweatshirt and pants are a good idea - sometimes the A/C can get a little over enthusiastic on some boats - and you may get chilled if you are doing 4 / 5 dives per day

4 swim suits is the most you`ll need - 3 is fine - ( am suit / pm suit and a drying / night dive suit ) - if there is no night diving 2 swim suits

check with the boat on the towel - fancy boats provide towels - some liveaboards also provide you soap / shampoo so you may not have to take that

why the woolite ??? .. do your laundry when you get home

don`t over do the books - all liveaboards have a bunch of books guests have left behind and they have a stock of games too


limited repair kit - the boat will have a pretty good tool box

on the gear front - take a spare mask in case yours get broken / lost everything else to me is rentable !

[Sylvia]

Sophia,

Thanks for bringing this up as I was wondering what to pack for a live-aboard too.
Definitely pack the swimsuits, t-shirts and short. Benedryl and bottled water.
What about sunblock, would you use bullfrog or other brand???

[chinacat46]

Almost all liveaboards supply towels. But not all which one are you going on? As for a jacket where are you going? I wouldn't worry about bug spray either but since it's so small go ahead and bring if you plan on doing anything land based.
I agree you got to much clothes. As they always throw half the clothes away and double your money.

[DandyDon]

Yeah, you don't need as many shorts, but I do like a clean T-shirt for dinner every night, so I'll wear one and pack eight - including the one I'll wear home. They don't take much room or weight, and help cushion other stuff.

BTW, if you're flying international, you probably allowed 2 - 70# bags, but the airline is only liable for $9.07 a pound, so take everything, but make sure it's insured. I use duffles that will fol down flat after I unpack on the boat.

I will not run barefoot - on a boat or elsewhere. Ahtletes foot, nail ungus, etc., injuries & infections. Flops are safe only on the beach. I use $6 Beach shoes on the boat and spray my feel with athletes foot medicine a couple times a day.

Take a solid fabric cap, in case of wind chill, and a rain jacket, in case of storms.

Have fun...

[scubagirl1966]

bottled water - definatly not necessary

The risk of many fungal infections is made greater if you feet are damp - removing your scuba booties and letting those feet dry out is key - sneakers / damp beach shoes etc do not allow your feet to dry esp in humid conditions - and flip flops can be toublesome to walk in esp. on stairs when the boat is moving - men are more prone to athlete foot than women - I have honestly never had a problem - and I run bare foot practically eveywhere !

Edited by scubagirl1966, 12 August 2004 - 12:39 PM.

[chinacat46]

On every liveaboard I've been on (~7) I've always run around barefoot and never had a problem. Most of them won't let you wear shoes but I'm sure you could by with sandals or flip flops.

[Sophia]

Y'll are so helpful. The trip is actually 15 days. One day of land based something in Belize. One week on the Belize live-aboard, and one week at the Cancun ClubMed with a group. I am more worried about the Live-aboard since I can't stop off at the nearest store.

But that being the case, 3 shorts do sound like a better idea.

Sweats sound like a great idea. They are my favorite comfort clothing, so I will add them.

I have trip insurance from that place WW recommends, so I'm not worried about luggage.

I walk bare foot at home, but I don't know about on a boat. Mostly worried about small cuts, etc. I can see how flip-flops would be a bad idea. I LOVE dive booties. Maybe I'll buy another pair for boat use only.

Batteries. I never throw batteries. I have an Alkaline recharger, and once a year I take my dead batteries to a special place.

Sunglasses and seasickness med. - good catch. Maybe 2 pair.

Sunscreen. The SeaSafe stuff is sunscreen, and it's also supposed to stop jellyfish bumps. Hate jellyfish!

The bug spray was for the land-based stuff. I hadn't specified that.

I will ask the Peter Hughes about how many books they have on board. I get insomnia if I can't read before going to bed. But then, I'm not very picky either.

[Latitude Adjustment]

Don't go bare foot on any boat, you don't want a toe stubbed on a hatch to ruin your diving!
3 bathing suits should work, 2 won't, mine never seemed to dry between dives and I ended up buying one from the ships store. They probably have tee's available if you run short.
If you are recharging batteries bring a power strip, there never seem to be enough outlets or its over the sink in your cabin.
Enjoy your trip!

[scubagirl1966]

liveaboard cabins are NOT the place to recharge batteries - they will have a charging station with plenty of outlet usually near the camera tables

they will ask you not to charge batteries in you room in case of fire

Don`t use booties at boat shoes - you feet will sweat too much - if you have to have boat shoes get a pair of tevas or similar that will stay on your feet but allow your feet to dry properly.

Most liveabords take your shoes off you when you get on - the public areas are designed for walking about bare footed

[Sophia]

No, what I do is take planty of batteries, then recharge them at home. I just carry the used battieries back home. I usually carry a power strip, because I am an electrics junkie, but I won't have my phone, PDA, or laptop. I do need to buy a giant card for my camera. Since I will be taking my first underwater photos with my new Oly5060.

What will I do without my laptop? Maybe it will be good for me.

[DandyDon]

No, dive booties will not let your feet dry between dives. On a 5-6 dive a day schedule, I'll leave them on, but for changing after a dive - I use the beach shoes that allow for quick drying, while keeping my feet off of the deck, and maybe cushioning a bit when I stub my toe. {Yes, I'm a clutz! } Some sandals have good support, but flip-flops don't.

I've never packed for a 2 week trip, though. Afraid I'd have to do laundry half way thru. Oh, I could wear the same T-shirt for days without bothering me, but I like to be nice to the others. Really, I have so many from so many places, it's like: Day-1 - Don't Mess With Texas T, D-2 - Catalina, D-3 - U-352; D-4 - Roatan; and so forth. "Have you been there?!" "Well, yes - you haven't" Snob.

For Amergris Caye, I wore "Log Bottom Time" on Day-2, then "Noplace Butt Key Largo" on Day-2, and my 19 year old Dive Buddy/Instructor commented that all my Ts seemed to have women's butts. Day-3, wore a busy Catalina T and told her she could find a girl's butt if she looked hard enough, and as she'd been diving in her 2-piece swim suit: "And I've ordered one over the internet with your butt on it."

Club Med? I guess you could just forgo the Ts.

[wannadive420]

Sophia ... I hope you have a wonderful time. You have received good information that will assist you with your trip.

I would like to add a note more on the side of 'caution'.

I just finished reading an article in DAN's Alert Diver magazine about a diver on a liveaboard who gets an infection called Necrotizing Fasciitis also known as "flesh-eating disease". He got the infection when he bumped his ankle and caused a minor laceration over the bone.

The diver received treatments at a hyperbaric facility, aggressive antibiotic treatment and then required surgery.

I don't want to alarm you .... just inform you so that you can have a wondeful time on the liveaboard.

Everyone should read this article. Very informative.

[Sylvia]

Ok, Sophia,

A toothbrush, a bikini and a credit card that's all I think we need.