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Packing – Saving Space, Weight, Time, Money, and The Earth

Weight and space in luggage while traveling these days can be huge considerations. If you plan an international trip, sailing for 14 days, add the element of real estate consideration.

In preparation for my trips, especially sailing, I seriously consider luggage, weight, real estate, comfort, fashion, and cost. I have seen a shift in my overall mentality regarding packing, being the fashionista that I am, and trying to balance sporting day wear of practical sailing clothes combined with clothing of a casual but somewhat fashionable flair for day touring and night dinners.   OH, did I also mention SHOES? Shoes are a space/weight killer, too.

Let’s get packing …

#1 LIQUIDS  Can be MESSY – For a very long time, I overpacked my liquids. Liquids consume weight & space, not to mention the potential exploding bottle factor. Hence, the starting point for

reducing my packing footprint. Enter shampoo bar & conditioner.  The shampoo bar and conditioner are relatively new. On my last trip sailing to Spain, I had the opportunity to pack these lovely scented bar

s and ditch my liquids. I was completely satisfied with the products from The Earthling Co. Their products are made with natural, plant-based ingredients and Are Free of Parabens.

Silicone- and Sulfate Free and made for all hair types (women & men). The shampoo is 3 oz, and the conditioner is 2 oz. and contains between 50-75 shampoos.  They have a variety of fragrances, and I selected the Vanilla Coconut fragrance.

#2. Next was body wash. When I think of body wash, I think LIQUID! I am still on a NO LIQUID mission, so let’s look for an alternative. When sailing, you live in an environment where having both hands free is essential, EVEN while showering.  Sail takes us to many ports of call, and typically, we dock at yacht clubs along the journey. These clubs provide shower facilities but lack the luxury of “shelf space to place all your toiletries. Again, I look for a BAR solution that is lightweight & NOT LIQUID! Soap on the rope seems so yesterday, but it is a solution. Not so easy to find, so I created my soap on the rope hack. I went to the local store that always has lovely handmade soaps and purchased a bar of soap with a light and fresh fragrance. I took the corkscrew from my wine opener and bored a hole through the middle of the bar. Handmade soaps tend to be very soft, making this easy without cracking the bar in half. I used a simple piece of paracord and attached it to the bar, leaving the rope long and super functional. TADA box# 2 checked.

#3 – The Shower Hack – While in wet facilities, I want to hang up my personal items and also be able to have them dry quickly. My solution for consolidating personal shower items is durable Mesh Nylon Drawstring Bags (11.7 х7.7 inches). A set of 5 cost me $8.79.  These handy bags allow me to take everything I need to the marina shower facilities in a compact bag.

Of course, I would find a use for the other four sacks. Cabins in sailboats are not spacious, and storage is very minimal. Sharing the cabin with my husband, we have to stay well-organized. I designated one bag for sunglasses, one for our electronic cords, adapter, and international converter plugs, and one for my journal book & pens. I usually find a location in the cabin to string a line so I can attach the bags with our organization. The challenge is to put things back in their respective bags, which helped cut down on the shout-outs of “Sweetie, have you seen my….”

I did find an upgrade to the nylon mesh bags. The Pacha Bar Soap Saver Mesh Bag is a little more expensive; it comes in a set of 4. The two nice features that I like about these bags are that each bag has a label,  shampoo, conditioner, face, and body, and the bag itself is a Lufa and made to dry quickly.OOOH Spoil me. Yes, I will take the upgrade and even gift it to a few sailing friends.

#4 Enough or Too Many Clothes – Keeping it Real and Clean – How do you keep your packing to a manageable limit when traveling for 18 days? Well, you can pack a lot and pay extra for

your luggage to the airlines, but remember, I am on a mission to reduce weight and the amount of luggage I have to shlep about from cars, planes, boats, and haul through marinas and train stations. Some Yacht Club Marinas have laundry facilities, but you never know when, where, or how busy they might be. Some sailors elect to do the bucket wash. I have one word for you, “THE SCRUBBA”! While searching for a new functional water bottle, my husband found “THE SCRUBBA” and became intrigued. YES, as the name implies, it is a portable washing machine for all intents and purposes. Let me introduce you. “THE SCRUBBA”! It is the world’s smallest washing machine, weighing just 5.6 oz. and folding to pocket size. It is lightweight and similar to a drybag with washboard nubs inside so you can SCRUB your clothes. Simply fill with water and soap, seal, release the excess air through the air valve, and knead your clothes like you knead bread. Rinse and hang up your clothes to dry.  The bag is easy to pack because it is FLAT, taking very little space. Friends laughed at me, but this little hack allowed me to pack less clothing, save money at the coin laundry, and still have clean clothing. LAUNDRY DAY IS OVER!

#5 – FANNY PACKS went out in the 80’s, YES? – There are 3 items that I like to keep very close to me when sailing: my lip balm, my cell phone, and my Swiss Mariner Sailing Knife.  My shorts don’t always have pockets, and sometimes pockets are shallow, so things fall out of them, especially as you maneuver about the boat.  This hack is fun; it is the water-resistant 2-compartment SPORTS BELT.  Don’t you dare call it a fanny pack! It is slim, lightweight, clips around your waist, and is adjustable. It easily holds the 3 essential items.  Affordable and comes in a variety of colors. No matter if I am traveling or participating in my local sailing club, casual or racing sails, the sports belt has become part of my standard gear. You can always use it on any type of travel. Tucks under your shirt and is not bulky like a fanny pack.

Now let’s go Sailing.

To see how I prepare for a Long Haul Trip, visit my article Travel Hack: 29 Days Away From Home 29 Days – 3 Countries – A Travel Packing Update

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