10 Essential Pieces of Gear for a Weekend Catamaran Trip

Stepping onto a wide, stable catamaran for a weekend getaway promises unparalleled comfort and effortless cruising. Yet, the unique dynamics of multihull sailing demand a specialized gear strategy to handle the expansive deck space and distinct wind angles. Having the right tools on hand ensures safety, prevents gear failure, and keeps the focus exactly where it belongs: enjoying the open water.

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Key Factors for Packing a Multihull Weekend Charter

Unlike monohulls that heel over, catamarans ride flat but experience a quicker, motion-snapping movement in choppy seas. This unique motion means unsecured gear will slide across wide saloon tables and spacious countertops instantly. Packing requires a shift toward soft-sided luggage and items that can be tucked away or secured easily.

Space is abundant on a multihull, but weight distribution still matters, especially at the bows. Heavy gear stuffed into forward cabins can cause the boat to hobby-horse, slowing down your speed and degrading ride quality. Focus on multi-functional, lightweight gear that serves dual purposes to keep the vessel balanced and clutter-free.

Salt spray and constant sun exposure are intensified on the wide-open trampolines and flybridges of modern catamarans. Protecting your gear and yourself requires durable, UV-resistant materials and waterproof storage options. Prioritize equipment designed specifically for marine environments rather than standard outdoor gear.

Sailing Gloves – Gill Championship Deckhand Gloves

Handling sheets and adjusting lines on a catamaran can quickly take a toll on your hands. Winch lines are under high tension, and a sudden slip can cause painful friction burns. Dedicated sailing gloves protect your hands while giving you the leverage needed to secure lines confidently in wet conditions.

The Gill Championship Deckhand Gloves feature Dura-Grip fabric on the palms, providing incredible grip without retaining water. The pre-shaped construction fits the natural curve of your hand, while the reduced-seam design prevents chafing during long active spells at the helm.

• Palm material: Dura-Grip wrap-around protection
• Design: Short-finger style for maximum dexterity
• Closure: Low-profile wrist band

Check the sizing chart closely, as these gloves should fit snugly to prevent bunching but not so tight that they restrict circulation. Rinse them thoroughly with fresh water after every weekend trip to prevent salt crystals from stiffening the fabric. They are ideal for active crew members handling sheets and halyards, but are not meant for cold-weather sailing where full-finger warmth is required.

Waterproof Dry Bag – Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag

Between dinghy rides to shore, wet trampoline sessions, and sudden rain showers, keeping dry gear dry is a constant battle. A reliable dry bag keeps your extra layers, towels, and electronics safe from spray and splash. It acts as an insurance policy for your valuables when transitioning between the catamaran and the shore.

Built from 420D ripstop nylon, the Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag offers a super-rugged barrier against abrasion and water ingress. Its white interior laminate increases visibility, making it easy to find small items at the bottom of the bag under dim cabin lighting.

• Material: TPU-laminated heavy-duty nylon
• Closure: Roll-top with field-replaceable buckles
• Sizes: Available from 5L to 65L (20L is the sweet spot for a weekend)

While highly water-resistant, this bag is not designed for prolonged submersion. Always roll the top at least three times tightly before buckling to guarantee a waterproof seal. This bag is perfect for anyone transporting gear in the tender, but is not the right choice for scuba divers needing a fully pressure-rated submersible case.

Marine Binoculars – Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50

Navigating a catamaran into a busy anchorage or finding channel markers in low light requires clear, stable vision. Marine binoculars are essential for spotting distant hazards, reading channel markers, and checking depth markers from the flybridge. A quality pair helps prevent navigation errors before you get too close to trouble.

The Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 features Sports-Auto-Focus, which keeps images sharp from 20 yards to infinity once set for your eyes. Its high-contrast optics and massive light-gathering capability are critical when navigating tricky channels during dusk or dawn.

• Magnification: 7x (the gold standard for stable viewing on moving boats)
• Objective Lens: 50 mm
• Waterproofing: Nitrogen pressure-filled (up to 16 feet)

Higher magnifications amplify boat movement, making 7x the ideal limit for use on the water. Clean the lenses only with dedicated microfiber cloths to avoid scratching the specialized anti-reflective coatings. This is an essential safety tool for the designated navigator, but it is overkill for those who only sail in familiar, well-marked inland lakes.

Sailing Life Jacket – Mustang Survival Khimera PFD

Safety on the water is non-negotiable, but bulky life jackets often get left in lockers because they restrict movement. A low-profile, high-mobility life jacket ensures you stay safe without sacrificing comfort while moving around the wide decks of a catamaran.

The Mustang Survival Khimera dual-flotation PFD offers 20 pounds of total buoyancy by combining a slim foam chassis with an inflatable bladder. This unique hybrid design provides enough inherent buoyancy to keep you afloat instantly, with the option to pull a cord for extra lift in rough water.

• Design: Over-the-head style with wide arm cutouts
• Inflation: Manual CO2 cylinder back-up
• Approval: Harmonized USCG/Transport Canada Type III

You must inspect and replace the CO2 cylinder if the manual inflation cord is pulled. The slim profile fits comfortably over rash guards and foul weather jackets, but the manual inflation element requires the wearer to be conscious to activate full buoyancy. This PFD is perfect for active sailors, but is not suitable for weak swimmers or children who require automatic inflation.

Deck Shoes – Sperry Sea Kite Sport Moc Boat Shoe

A slippery fiberglass deck can turn a relaxed weekend into an emergency in a split second. Proper deck shoes provide the necessary traction on wet gelcoat while protecting your toes from heavy stainless steel deck hardware. They also keep the yacht’s white decks free of black scuff marks.

The Sperry Sea Kite Sport Moc features a Wave-Siping rubber outsole that channels water away from the shoe’s bottom for superior traction on wet surfaces. The quick-drying mesh panels and leather upper balance durability with excellent breathability, keeping feet cool in tropical climates.

• Outsole: Non-marking, high-traction rubber
• Lining: Moisture-wicking, quick-dry lining
• Closure: Traditional athletic lacing

These shoes require a brief break-in period to soften the leather collar around the heel. Always rinse them with fresh water after exposure to saltwater to preserve the leather and prevent odor build-up. They are ideal for active crew members moving quickly across trampolines, but they are not styled for formal dinners ashore.

Rigging Multi-Tool – Leatherman Skeletool RX

Rigging issues, tight shackles, and loose screws are common occurrences on any weekend sail. A compact multi-tool kept on your belt saves countless trips to the main tool locker below. It allows you to make immediate adjustments on deck before minor issues turn into major gear failures.

The Leatherman Skeletool RX is optimized for emergency response with a deeply serrated 154CM stainless steel blade that slices through heavy marine rope effortlessly. It features essential pliers, a wire cutter, and a heavy-duty carabiner clip that easily secures to a belt loop or harness.

• Blade Material: 154CM high-carbon stainless steel
• Weight: 5 ounces
• Tools included: Needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, bit driver, carbide glass breaker

Although the steel is highly corrosion-resistant, it is not completely rust-proof in saltwater environments. Apply a thin coat of marine-grade oil to the pivots regularly, especially after contact with salt spray. This is a must-have for the designated skipper or active crew member, but is not intended for heavy engineering tasks that require full-sized ratchets.

Handheld VHF Radio – Standard Horizon HX890

Communication is key when operating a catamaran, whether you are talking to the helm from the bow, contacting marina staff, or calling for assistance. A handheld VHF radio ensures you have a direct line of communication even if the yacht’s main house battery system fails.

The Standard Horizon HX890 is a floating 6W Class-H DSC handheld VHF with built-in GPS. If you fall overboard, pressing the distress button transmits your exact coordinates, while the water-activated strobe light makes nighttime recovery much easier.

• Transmit Power: 6W / 2W / 1W
• Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
• Waterproof Rating: IPX8 (submersible to 4.9 feet for 30 minutes)

The menu system has a slight learning curve, so take time to program your Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and MMSI number before heading out on the water. Keep the radio tethered to your PFD to ensure it remains with you if you slip over the side. This is crucial safety gear for anyone standing watch or operating the tender, but is unnecessary for casual passengers who stay safely in the cockpit.

Polarized Sunglasses – Costa Del Mar Fantail Pro

The sun’s glare off the water can cause severe eye fatigue and obscure underwater hazards like shallow sandbars and reef heads. High-quality polarized sunglasses block this reflective glare, allowing you to read the water depth and navigate safely.

Costa’s 580G light-wave glass lenses filter out harsh yellow light while boosting reds, greens, and blues for unmatched clarity on the water. The Fantail Pro frame features side shields to block peripheral glare and sweat channels to keep your vision clear during hot afternoons.

• Lens Material: Scratch-resistant polarized glass
• Frame Fit: Medium-large wrap-around
• Coating: Hydrolite nose and temple pads

Glass lenses offer superior optical clarity and scratch resistance but are heavier and more fragile than polycarbonate alternatives. Always use a floating sunglass retainer strap because these premium glasses do not float on their own. This gear is essential for the helmsman navigating reef-strewn waters, but is not ideal for those who prefer ultra-lightweight, casual fashion eyewear.

Soft-Sided Cooler – YETI Hopper Flip 18 Portable

Catamaran galleys are often located down in the hulls, making quick trips for drinks or snacks inconvenient while under sail. A high-quality soft-sided cooler kept on deck keeps cold drinks within arm’s reach without cluttering the main cockpit space.

The YETI Hopper Flip 18 utilizes ColdCell insulation—a closed-cell rubber foam that offers far superior cold retention than standard soft coolers. Its puncture-resistant DryHide shell and leakproof HydroLok zipper ensure that melting ice stays inside the cooler even if it tips over on a trampoline.

• Capacity: Holds up to 20 cans with a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio
• Zipper: 100% leakproof waterproof zipper
• Exterior: High-density fabric resistant to mildew and UV rays

The heavy-duty zipper requires occasional lubrication with the included U-Flex grease to operate smoothly. Pre-chilling the cooler with a sacrificial bag of ice before packing will dramatically extend ice retention over the weekend. It is perfect for keeping day-use items accessible on deck, but is not meant to replace the yacht’s main built-in refrigerator.

Rigging Knife – Spyderco Atlantic Salt Lightweight

In a marine emergency, such as a tangled propeller or a fouled rigging line, seconds count. A dedicated rigging knife allows you to cut through thick synthetic ropes instantly, preventing damage to the boat or injury to the crew.

The Spyderco Atlantic Salt is crafted with H-2 steel, a revolutionary alloy that replaces carbon with nitrogen to make the blade completely rust-proof in saltwater. The sheepfoot blade profile features a blunt tip, which prevents accidental punctures of the inflatable dinghy or your own skin during rough seas.

• Steel: Non-rusting H-2 nitrogen-based steel
• Edge: Fully serrated SpyderEdge
• Lock: Secure lockback mechanism

The serrated edge excels at ripping through tough synthetic ropes but requires specialized sharpening files when it eventually dulls. The lightweight fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle provides excellent grip when wet but feels lighter than traditional metal-handled knives. This is a critical safety tool for active deck crew, but is not suited for delicate camp chores like slicing vegetables.

Managing Trampoline Space and Onboard Weight Limits

The forward trampoline is the ultimate relaxation zone on a catamaran, but it is also a dynamic workspace where wind and waves collide. Keep this area clear of heavy, loose gear that could fly away or block access to the anchor locker in a sudden squall. Any items brought onto the trampoline—like soft coolers or dry bags—should be clipped securely to the pad eyes or netting.

Catamarans are highly sensitive to weight distribution compared to deep-keeled monohulls. Overloading the bows or sterns with excessive water toys, heavy coolers, and over-packed suitcases ruins the boat’s trim, reducing speed and increasing fuel consumption. Distribute heavy items centrally and down low in the hulls to preserve the catamaran’s stable, comfortable riding characteristics.

Before leaving the dock, establish a clear rule that nothing goes on the trampoline while the boat is under sail. Wind catching a loose towel or lightweight bag can lift it into the water in seconds, creating a dangerous man-overboard recovery situation for gear. Store all personal items in the cabin or secure lockers, leaving the trampoline pristine and safe for everyone on board.

Conclusion

Setting sail on a catamaran weekend trip is all about blending comfort with adventure, provided you have the right gear to match the unique multihull environment. By choosing tools specifically engineered for marine durability, safety, and efficiency, you ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage. Pack smart, keep the decks clear, and enjoy the unparalleled freedom of multihull cruising.