Secrets of packing for a liveaboard?

[LG Diver]

Hey all,

I'm getting ready for my first 3-day liveaboard to the Channel Islands in a week through Truth Aquatics on the Conception. I have a good sense of what gear/clothing to pack, and I have a checklist from the LDS that I booked through on what to pack. Besides the basics, I'm wondering what items you would suggest bringing along, that might not be immediately obvious, that would be beneficial. I already have my prescription of Transderm Scop, so seasickness meds are covered (I'll be doing a trial application of it in the next few days to make sure I don't have some crazy side-effect). Got the iPod, earplugs for sleeping at night while the boat's motoring, my favorite hazelnut coffee creamer for the morning (can't live without that). What else?

Thanks,
John

 

[pterantula]

Yes - would love to hear some veteran suggestions, as I prepare for my Isla Guadalupe trek next tuesday (on the Solmar V, looks like a nice boat). My final camera gear is slated to ship at the end of the week, so along with the laptop & cold water snorkel gear...?

Thx!

 

[Taxgeek]

For the Conception, mebbe hangers since they have a place to hang your wetsuit to dry at night (although I think there are hangers there, can't remember). Ipod charger is handy. They have cds and dvds so you probly won't need those, unless you want to watch your favorites. Ummm. . . just came back from a 3 day trip on there, am wracking my brain. They have pretty much everything on the boat. Even a dryer for your towel.

Bring your appetite. The food on that boat is seriuosly out of this world! Captain Braden is great, as are the crew and the cooks. (Yes, they have 2 full time cooks!)

Bring a light if you like night dives, they offered them every night during my trip.
Have a great time, wish I was going too!
Taxgeek/Susan

 

[vmf]

Pack what you think you need, then tip it out! Re-pack taking only half you original items!
A swimming chamois will not go astray as an adjunct to your beach towel!

Regards,

vmf

 

[Cacia]

I call it a watch cap....an acrylic or microfiber stocking cap to cover your ears on the deck in the wind when your ears are wet.

 

[offroaddiver]

I'd go to a hiking store that also sells kayaking gear. Spend a little on the exoffico underwear. They wash out in a sink and no lingering smells and dry out fast. I bought some to use while on road trips, and I love em.

While there get a wet weather fleece. It's a fleece that has a lining sandwiched in the middle and keeps water spray from chilling you out.

Pocket towel or MSR packtowel.

I'm not familiar with what type of accomodations are available or what type of diving you'll be doing. That's stuff that I take with me on overnight/weekend treks.

 

[Taxgeek]

I totally forgot! Boat Coat! (Not sure where Los Gatos is - maybe you have one already - do you dive up north?) Boat coat is the best investment I ever made.

And second the watch cap or beanie recommendation. Totally key. I tend to get cold on SIs since the air never really gets that warm.

Oh, also, a sheet or light sleeping bag and pillowcase. The Conception has foam matresses, good pillows, and blankets. But no sheets etc. I bring my pillow, but my neck is picky about pillows.

One set of warm clothes for evening will be plenty. I think over the 3 day trip I was on, I took a bathing suit for each day, 2 tshirts, 1 sweats, 1 dry fleece jacket, 2 or 3 beanies, and my boat coat. Shower shoes are used by some.

Bunk room runs warm in summer. I don't think the boat is air conditioned, but it does have air circulation system.

Good call on ear plugs. For the snorers more than the boat!

If you want wine or beer in the evening, byo, boat doesn't have any. They don't mind you bringing your own. Lots of people do, and you can put it in their fridge.

Sudafed. (If you are on the dark side like me.)

Cash for crew tips. $10-$20/day is considered right if you got good service. More if you were a total pain in the ***** or you have a back problem and they helped you a ton with your gear (etc).

 

[keytofreedom]

One of the most useful things to bring is baby wipes. They come in travel packs that don't take up much space and they have proved to be indispensible in my liveaboard experiences when water is at a premium (as it usually is). Kinda helps to get rid of that salty outer layer between dives!

 

[Guba]

I know you have the seasickness covered, but I have to add a side note to it. On my first liveaboard trip I, too, used transderm Scop. It was properly applied and put on well in advance of boarding. All instructions and precaustions were carefully followed.
In short, five hours into the trip I learned that the patch did absolutely NOTHING for me. That was disappointing, since several of my friends swear by it. Still, after hours of trying to cough up my toenails and making ample use of the provided plastic bags, I gave up, ripped off the patch and swallowed a dose of Dramamine. An hour later, I was eating watermelon, a blueberry muffin, and lots of water to replace lost fluids. I was ready a half hour later to hit the gate and enjoy a great sunrise dive.
My advice is to use the patch, but slip a vial of another med into your kit, just in case you react to the Scop the same way I did.

 

[ItsBruce]

My kid and I just dove Anacapa Island. It taught me to bring a can of insect repellant.