I’ll admit it; like many sailors, I'm a bit of a gear nut. Sailing, and of course chartering, provides ample opportunity to buy more gear. However, chartering provides some different types of gear to add to your list and I'm going to begin featuring each Wednesday. Why Wednesday? Well, it's just enough time to still buy something online, have it shipped next day air, and get it before the weekend (and either some local sailing or hopefully a charter).

I'm not someone that's into gear for gear-sake. But, some types of gear - sometimes even the simple things - can really make the difference between a sailing trip and a blissful, safe, and fun bareboat charter adventure.

So, the the gear I'll be featuring fits some specific criteria: it must be travel-friendly (light and packable), it must offer utility that makes the charter experience better, and it must have some durable, after-charter usefulness whether it be for sailing, other types of travel, or even just around the house.

To kick things off, here’s the first featured piece of gear:

The Joby Gorillapod Flexible Tripod

Why it’s cool?

On a boat, there are rarely any flat, sticky, reliable spots to mount something temporarily. And, since you’re on a wonderful vacation, you’ll probably want to take pictures.

The Gorillapod is light, flexible, and has this incredible adaptable way of clinging to things with a combination of sticky rubber rings attached to legs that can really clamp down tightly. So, place your digital camera or small camcorder on a the compass binnacle and get that family shot. Attach something to the bimini frame tubes. Or, simply use it while touring on shore as a very useful portable tripod.

There’s also a bonus model that features a slick suction cup base too!

Don’t leave home without it!