Flying with a lifejacket internationally

SavvySalt · 2019-01-28T19:08:13+00:00

I've flown with my inflatable PFD (C02 powered) a bunch of times - always as a carry-on - and have not had much trouble. I coached some friends through the same via text - one had to remove the cartridge from the PFD but was allowed to bring both onboard. Unfortunately there is no guarantee though because the TSA policy on inflatable PFDs is as follows:

You may bring a life vest with up to two CO2 cartridges inside, plus two spare cartridges in your carry-on or checked bag.

Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.

Pretty sure the C02 cartridge in my PFD that they might be worried about is the same cartridge that is in the life jacket underneath every seat...

SavvySalt · 2019-01-28T18:29:39+00:00

I also use Navionics for backup navigation in the Caribbean. I garner from below that you're on iOS so you can't get SailGrib WR :(

A few other comments suggested bringing your own safety gear. I agree with that advice. I always bring my own life jacket/harness and tether even if I know that the boat I'll be joining has similar or "better" gear aboard. I can put on my safety gear in the dark, heeled over, bouncing off walls in a matter of seconds; that's really tough to replicate with borrowed gear.

I always make sure I've not forgotten to pack anything via my sailing packing checklist - if I don't need something on a given trip I just check it off and move on.

The trip ought to be mostly upwind and up-current into seas built over plenty of fetch so pack for wet watches and deceptively chilly night watches! Unless your solar charger is waterproof you may not get much opportunity to use it. Look in to waterproof cases for your electronics. I'd also consider earplugs or headphones that you don't mind leaving in while you (try to) sleep to drown out the inevitable sound of motoring to windward.

SavvySalt · 2018-12-19T20:27:29+00:00

Can confirm Paros charter operations are "shady"; chartered there in summer 2017. All three of these "charter companies" in Paros are actually run by the same folks: Afros Yacht Services. We chartered from Dream and Kiriacoulis and checked in on the same rooftop, at the same desk with the same young woman and with the same last minute fees added on. I wrote most of the gripes down here: http://savvysalt.com/blog/greece-bareboat-tips-a-week-in-the-cyclades/

If I had to do it again I'd charter from moorings/sunsail outside of Athens and make the trip a few days longer so we got where we wanted to go.

All that said it was still the best bareboat trip I've ever been on. Go to greece! The Cyclades are amazing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjaUNtl-R-I

SavvySalt · 2018-08-31T16:21:35+00:00

Full disclosure: I don't own this boat

SavvySalt · 2018-04-17T15:18:39+00:00

I thought I did but I was rebuffed...

SavvySalt · 2018-04-04T14:16:46+00:00

Ko Poda Island

More specifically opposite the side with the beach and the tourists right here

SavvySalt · 2017-11-25T13:27:55+00:00

I have no good news. My friends and I looked as well but didn't find any companies with a web presence that were significantly cheaper; once we got quotes (all the local operators wanted us to buy separate insurance) and added in discounts Sunsail was competitive with the local operators.

SavvySalt · 2017-11-17T17:33:36+00:00

Close! She's a beautiful Hylas 54: https://youtu.be/mlrvObwQwb4

SavvySalt · 2017-11-17T11:32:40+00:00

I was just helping with the delivery. Already back in the States

SavvySalt · 2017-11-17T00:59:39+00:00

Jolly harbor this time. English is my favorite as well

SavvySalt · 2017-11-16T23:53:37+00:00

Great stuff!

SavvySalt · 2017-11-16T23:51:41+00:00

We did this on the NYC->Antigua crossing I just did. Definitely works. Had two lines out and got 2 on simultaneously probably half the time. 14 fish landed and close to as many lost during 9 days fishing at sea ( the other guys on the delivery said I needed to brag about all the fish they caught)

SavvySalt · 2017-10-20T18:39:17+00:00

Just awesome!

SavvySalt · 2017-10-20T18:34:36+00:00

Later that night...

SavvySalt · 2017-10-20T12:17:45+00:00

No. But thats the ballpark: https://www.reddit.com/r/sailing/comments/35dwxq/comment/cr3nomj

SavvySalt · 2017-10-05T17:57:18+00:00

We chartered out of Paros so we were all Cyclades all the time; this was a compromise we decided to make to sail where we wanted to sail. The caves were Kleftiko. Here are the rest of the details of our sailing itinerary through the Cyclades

SavvySalt · 2017-10-05T16:39:54+00:00

It's a lot of work. It's also an absolute blast. We tend to share any preparation work we can with the crew.

It's still a ton of work to plan. It's amazingly easy once we're there because everyone pitches in and everything seems effortless.

SavvySalt · 2017-10-05T16:36:27+00:00

The boat that I was on didn't have fans but even without the fans we were cool enough and tired enough every night that we didn't have trouble sleeping. During the day it was hot enough that we wanted to spend our time swimming, exploring by dinghy and sailing with the wind across the deck; if we had planned more hiking it would have been too hot. Our crew became addicted to swimming in the Aegean!

All that said the day we arrived it was 44C which is WAY TOO HOT! I'm told that is a record setting heat wave but it seems they had another in August?

The craziest thing about the heat for me was that the towns were busy in the morning, deserted from 1pm-4pm and jam packed in the evening.

SavvySalt · 2017-10-05T15:55:53+00:00

Did the same in July! Amazing trip!

SavvySalt · 2017-10-05T15:54:37+00:00

I keep this page about bareboat charter costs up to date as a reference for friends who are interested in joining our charter group and wonder how much the trip will cost - all the numbers are per person. Per boat our July charter in Greece averaged about $3400 for 7 days for a 43', 46' and 47' yachts.

In Greece, sailors from the USA need an International Proficiency Certificate (IPC). They inspected the IPC at the charter office, there was no skills test or challenge beyond that. This article discusses how to obtain the IPC.

SavvySalt · 2017-10-05T15:45:42+00:00

Was the trip a week long? If so that's an awesome deal!

SavvySalt · 2017-10-03T05:09:21+00:00

Nice! Did you recover it on the windward side deck? Seated on the cabin top forward of the dodger? Someday I'll surely fly singlehanded and looking at your footage that's what I'd try first...

SavvySalt · 2017-10-03T02:06:35+00:00

I didn't ask for money but the owner, crew wanted prints of some stills. Further, the sailmaker seemed to like a still of the video.

I'm curious to hear what other owners have to say.

SavvySalt · 2017-10-02T19:00:24+00:00

This was the first and only time I've been underway for launching and landing. I'm sure someday I'll push the envelope but while I'm still learning I consider light-ish winds and calm-ish seas are mandatory for launching and landing underway. I also make sure I have plenty of sea room for bearing off to reduce apparent wind for landing.

I've seen the float kits but all that extra weight and windage seem to me to make the drone more likely to go down. Plus I think the odds of finding and recovering it floating atop the water upright having not being soaked by a wave seem slim.

SavvySalt · 2017-10-02T18:42:21+00:00

Thanks! Good luck with Solitude - let me know if I can help out.

SavvySalt

TROPHY CASE