He Jilian. Sounds like a great adventure! When is the trip? Good gear will be important to feel good and enjoy. I have a lo of offshore experience. It'll be cold there so you will need layers. No cotton. Wool and fleece. Merino shirts. Patagonia jacket type. Outer wear you'll need a 'bib', like overall rainpants, and a sailing coat. Check Genco or Fogh. Look for 'offshore' label. Do they provide inflatable life jacket? Good warm boots w non marking anti slip soles. Helly hansen second skin type of gesr. Good wool cap and a baseball cap w a rim to keep sun or rain out of your face. Balaclava. Good waterproof gloves. Also, buy a sailing knife, sharp and serrated edge, and or a leatherman. One of those flashlights that goes on your forehead. Boat stores will have them that also have a red light on them, so not to blind you or cause night blindness. If there is a chance you may get seasick, shoppers has behind the counter those patches you put behind your ear. They work great. The boatshow is coming mid january, if the trip is after that you can get some deals there for this stuff. Sat phone can be worth it if it is a good. Quality. There are places that rent them which is better then to buy one for this. They charge by the minute and it can add up. Two other devices for communication: Garmin Inreach, allows for texting and basic email, has a tracker function and an sos button. Other is Iridium Go. Does all that and allows voice calls as well. Dm me if i can be of any help. Have a great trip!
