Life Onboard
What to Actually Pack for Your First Season
In short
Pack light for your first yacht season: a soft collapsible bag, neutral plain basics, non-marking deck shoes, a smart interview outfit, and essentials like a water bottle, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen and a power bank. Buy the rest in port.
Cabin space is tiny and shared, so pack light and pack smart. A soft, collapsible bag beats a hard suitcase every time — there's nowhere to store a big shell once you're aboard.
Clothes: neutral and minimal
Bring neutral, plain basics: white and navy polos, plain shorts, good boat shoes or deck trainers with non-marking soles, and a smart outfit for interviews. Most boats provide uniform, so don't overdo your own clothes.
The unsung essentials
A quality reusable water bottle, good sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, seasickness remedies, a small kit of your own toiletries, and a power bank. Comfortable, broken-in shoes matter more than anything fashionable.
Leave the 'just in case' pile at home. You can buy almost anything in the big yachting ports, and space you save now is space you'll be grateful for later.
Thinking about a career on superyachts?
If you want to talk through your options — no pressure, just an honest conversation about what's possible — get in touch.
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Nick went from zero experience to working in the superyacht industry, and now coaches young Kiwis through the same journey - honest, one-on-one and industry-backed.