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Get Your Lost Gear Back

February 11, 2019 by Carolyn Shearlock

How do you get lost gear back? Stuff that blows off your deck in a squall, or unties itself, or that you accidentally left in the shower room or potluck?

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!

Just a few minutes of effort will greatly increase the odds of getting your lost stuff back. And it's free!
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Some links above (including all Amazon links) are affiliate links, meaning that I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.

Filed Under: Living on a Boat Tagged With: Easy Boat Improvements

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Welcome

Carolyn Shearlock

Hi! I'm Carolyn Shearlock. My husband and I have been cruising over 11 years and 10,000 miles, first on a Tayana 37 monohull and now on a 34' Gemini catamaran. Along the way, we sold pretty much everything we owned (twice!), gained a great boat dog, had a bunch of wonderful times and some adventures . . . and learned a ton about what does and doesn't work!

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