Captain’s Sailing Bag Additions // Binoculars, Solar Charger, Head Lamp

On September 14, 2020
By Kimberly

Weighing the need for equipment versus the sheer weight of my sailing bag; three more items made the cut and are now staples in my every day carry captain’s sailing bag; I added binoculars, a head lamp, and a solar charger. In my work as a sailboat captain, there are essentials I bring on every sail.

Vortex Optics Vanquish Binoculars

My husband Bill gifted me with the Vortex Optics Vanquish Binoculars. I suspect he actually ordered them for shooting, then realized they would not accept a tripod, and that’s how I became the lucky recipient. No matter; I love them!

The Vortex binoculars are small and light enough that I don’t mind adding their weight and bulk to my daily bag. Of course, as soon as I received them, I headed out and ran a trial against a couple other pairs.

Everyone on the boat participated in the trial, viewing birds on shore as the goal. While there are far, far more expensive binoculars on the market; these are at a price point that if they do get dropped overboard; I won’t cry or jump overboard after them.

One interesting feature on the Vortex binoculars is their small size. In order to use them; first you rotate and extend the eyecup. A couple times, I have forgotten this step. They still work, but it’s a much better view when extended!

After trying each pair; everyone was impressed with the small frame of the Vortex binoculars. They fit easily into my sailing bag, and added very little weight. Some of the older, heavier versions were more difficult to hold still and tiring to keep raised to the eyes for long periods of time.

Binoculars are so useful on a boat; not only for bird watching, but also to locate landmarks, channel markers, sea bouys, and fellow boaters.

Anker Portable Solar Charger With Foldable Panel

Although there are usually cigarette lighter-type outlets on the larger sailboats I sail; they are located below at the navigation station.

If someone on board wishes to charge their cell phone, yet keep it handy for weather, navigation, or photography; something closer is needed.

Bill’s solution to this was an Anker Portable Solar Charger With Foldable Panel. We already were familiar with Anker charging cables and their level of quality, so this was a natural choice.

The Anker Portable Solar Charger has three panels, is designed to be tied on top of a backpack or hung. It’s outdoor weather-resistant, and extremely lightweight and thin. My sailing bag has a padded envelope for a laptop; so the Anker Charger fits in it perfectly with lots of room to spare.

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

You know the saying, “One hand for the boat, one hand for you?” Well, this was Bill’s answer to my need to check engine oil, examine battery terminals, and locate bilge pump float switches in dark bilges on the boats; a Black Diamond Storm LED Headlamp.

Instead of a rechargeable variety, Bill chose one with actual batteries for me so I would not have to wait for it to charge if one set went dead.

The Black Diamond Storm has several lighting choices; solid, blinking, and can angle up or down in its housing. Bill especially liked the red, blue, and green LED’s – we use red for maintaining our night vision on the boats.

It’s waterproof, dustproof, and I can switch from bright to dimmer with a single tap no matter in which color mode I am operating.

What Else Is In My Sailing Bag?

For the rest of my sailing bag essentials, read “What’s In My Daily Sailing Bag // Bleeding Control // Rain Gear // Binoculars.”

Coming up Next: Re-waterproofing your foul weather gear!

We Don’t Go Anywhere Without:

Stream2Sea Reef Safe SPF 20 or 30 mineral, regular or tinted sunscreen, mask defog, shampoo, conditioner, rash guards and more reef-safe supplies. Use my code “DeepWH” for 10% off. The packages are biodegradeable – not just recycled and recyclable.
Crisis Medicine Tactical Casualty Care Course knowledge so we can help ourselves. With code “DeepWH” you save 20% on the TC2 course
MyMedic Individual Bleeding Control Kits, this link and my code “DeepWH15” will save you 15% on your purchase. We take ours everywhere.
North American Rescue CAT tourniquets. Use code “MAY25” for 20% off through midnight on 5/31/20. This is a huge savings!
Cycle Booty Citrus Cleanser and Post Ride Cream.
Airbnb, “Kimberly gave you up to $55 off your first trip.”
Airbnb says, “Deep gave you up to $415 off your first adventure.
Uber gives you $2 off your first three rides.
Travelex is our trip insurer – click for a free quote.
Girls That Scuba – members discount card for all things diving.
REI Co-op for great sports equipment and travel clothes.
Sailo for $100 off your next boat rental! Discount Code: “KimWa1”
PierShare to rent your dock out or rent a dock.
BoatUS for your boat towing insurance! Code: “HEWAF88”
RoadId for $5 off your cycling/running/kayaking/travel id.
Dazer Ii Ultrasonic Aggressive Dog Deterrent Repeller Dazzer – keeping dogs at bay while we cycle.
Guardline Security Wireless Driveway Alarm – alerts us when someone approaches. Less expensive directly from the company.
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