Bahama Sailing Trip March 1 - clothing to pack

Hello,

I am doing a cabin charter in the Bahamas (Exuma) the first week of March. This will be my first sailing trip.

Temperature is looking like highs in the upper 70's and lows in the mid 60's.

Any advice on how to pack clothing wise? Should I plan to have a light jacket while on the boat and pants? What can I expect from the water temperature this time of year?

High 70's seems great but don't want to pack t-shirts and shorts only to find it will be chilly most of the trip.

If you have any experience sailing during that time of year would love the feedback.

BB

Where are you from?? We are from Florida and lows in the 60s is chilly to us, especially if you're going to be on the water! Now, if you live in Maine and you swim in the lake water in Maine in May, then your view of things would be different! If it were ME, I'd definitely take a jacket and/or a sweatshirt for the evening and the water might be too cold for me. (BUT, I don't get in my pool at home unless the water is at least 80... )

Chicago, so I'm used to the cold

Thanks for the advice on the jacket.

I haven't seen snow since 2006 and not in any hurry to see it again! My feeling is that you will probably need the jacket at night. I certainly would. Enjoy!!

Remember that you will have limited space to store all of your stuff, so pack efficiently. Bring layers that you can wear for different purposes and repeatedly. Think layers -- t-shirts, which you can wear with a long-sleeved button-down shirt (e.g. Columbia PFG shirts, which I've been known to wear in the water as well, for warmth and sun-protection), to which you can add a fleece or other outer wrap. Also a pair of nylon or other quick-drying pants. You won't want jeans because they are heavy and once wet will not dry. You only really need one of each of these (try a color that goes with all of your other stuff, if you care), since they can be rinsed and hung out on the lifelines to dry.

You might luck out and have gloriously warm weather during your entire trip. Or you might get caught in a cold front or two. Regardless, it's the most beautiful water you'll ever see.

I would bring a light polar fleece jacket. I have been in the Bahamas in late Feb/early March when cold fronts powered through. Morning temps in the 40's - the locals wore winter coats and mittens. Glad I had a fleece.

Thanks for this Eva-- very helpful. Here's to hoping I luck out on the weather!

Interesting, I am doing a cabin charter in the Exumas too.. DYC? embarking 2/27

I recommend the layering as well. Bringing bathing suits and cover up for day . Bringing one pair sweat pants and light jacket/sweatshirt for evening in case it is breezy. Hiking shorts and pants ,short sleeve and long sleeve T's all good advice.

Hoping for warm weather after the messy February we are enduring. I have usually been in BVI's this time of year but opted for Exumas so I could go somewhere......so I was a little concerned about it being warm enough for daily snorkeling etc.

Maybe we will run into each other.