How do you get
There are the obvious things like “don’t lose it in the first place” but let’s face it, accidents happen. So how can we up the odds of getting our lost stuff back?
There’s one simple thing that greatly increases the odds of getting it back. And it’s pretty low tech.
Put your name and contact info on your stuff!
Take an hour and go around the boat with a Sharpie. Write at least your boat name (add your phone number or email on the more important gear) on things like:
- Dinghy, including the oars, gas can and life jackets
- Kayak
- SUP
- Deck brush
- Tote bags
- Dry bags
- Laundry bag
- Camera
- Cushions
- Fenders
- Shower bag
- Hats
- Chairs
- Anything that kids would carry ashore
- Phone
- Jackets
- Dishes, glasses, silverware and all carrying/serving dishes
After every community event, the next morning there are numerous lost and found announcements on the VHF net. Ditto every time there’s a windy day or a squall.
People generally want to return your gear. But they can’t if they don’t know who it belongs to. Make it easy for them to return it.
You’ll find that you get your lost gear back a lot more often!
Flatten the learning curve with practical how-to info that gives you the confidence to step into life aboard.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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