Lord Nelson Charters
What to bring on a sailing charter: your Lake Lanier gear list
The most common email I get the week before a charter is some version of "what should I pack?" Here is the full answer to what to bring on a sailing charter out of Aqualand Marina, written by the guy who runs the boat. I have been sailing Lake Lanier for over twenty years out of Dock Q, and most first-time guests overpack one set of items and forget the two that actually matter on the water.
What to bring on a sailing charter on Lake Lanier: the short version
Short answer: soft-soled shoes, a hat, polarized sunglasses, SPF 30 sunscreen, a light layer for shade or wind, a refillable water bottle, your phone, and any food or non-alcoholic drinks you want aboard. Everything else is on the boat or stays in the car at Aqualand Marina.
I get asked the packing question by roughly four out of five first-time guests, so I built this gear list around what people actually need versus what they forget. Below is the full breakdown of what to bring on a sailing charter, organized so you can pack in under ten minutes the night before. Skim the comparison table, then keep reading for the why on each category. For broader prep, see our guide to half-day, full-day, sunset, and corporate charter formats.
| Item | Bring it | Already aboard |
|---|---|---|
| Soft-soled shoes | Yes | No |
| Hat and sunglasses | Yes | No |
| SPF 30 sunscreen | Yes | Spare bottle only |
| Light jacket or windbreaker | Yes | No |
| Water and snacks | Yes | 5-gal refill jug |
| Life jackets, adult and youth | No | Yes, 8 USCG-approved |
| Towel | Optional | Yes, 4 rinse towels |
| Cooler | Optional | Yes, 12V powered |
| First aid kit | No | Yes, marine kit |
What to bring on a sailing charter for sun and weather
Lake Lanier sits at 1,071 feet of elevation in north Georgia, and the open water reflects sunlight back at you. From late April through early October, UV exposure is the single biggest comfort complaint I hear on charters, and it is the one category people consistently under-pack on what to bring on a sailing charter.
According to the National Weather Service Peachtree City office, the UV index over Hall County and Forsyth County climbs into the 9 to 10 range by 11 a.m. most summer days, which means an unprotected adult can burn in under 15 minutes. Sun reflection off the water roughly doubles your effective exposure, per NOAA skin safety guidance.
Pack these items every charter, May through September:
- SPF 30 or higher mineral sunscreen, ideally reef-safe because Lake Lanier feeds drinking water for metro Atlanta, per the Lake Lanier Association water quality program.
- Wide-brim hat with a chin strap. Baseball caps blow off the boat at 12 knots of wind, and I have pulled more than thirty hats out of the water in the last five years.
- Polarized sunglasses with a retainer strap, which cut glare off the water by about 50 percent.
- UPF 50 long-sleeve shirt for guests with fair skin or sun sensitivity.
- Light windbreaker or fleece for sunset and full-day sails. Lake temperatures cool quickly after 5 p.m.
If you forget sunscreen, I keep a spare bottle of reef-safe SPF 50 in the cabin, but I cannot stock enough for a full group, so plan to bring your own. For more on Lake Lanier weather windows, see our month-by-month weather guide for Lake Lanier sailors.
Footwear, clothing, and layers for a half-day or full-day sail
Boat shoes, deck shoes, or any soft-soled sneaker with a light-colored bottom is the only footwear rule on board. Hard heels, black-soled street shoes, and high heels scuff the deck and slip on wet fiberglass. Bare feet are fine once we are underway, but you need shoes for the dock walk down Dock Q.
Clothing setup for a typical Lake Lanier charter:
- Base layer: quick-dry shorts and a T-shirt or tank. Cotton soaks up sweat and stays wet for hours.
- Sun layer: UPF long-sleeve or light button-down for shade flexibility when we go upwind into direct sun.
- Outer layer: light windbreaker or pullover. Even in July, sunset sails get down to the mid-60s on the water.
- Swimwear: wear it under your clothes if we plan to drop anchor in Two Mile Creek for a swim stop.
- Towel: I keep four freshwater rinse towels aboard, but if you plan to swim and lounge, bring a beach towel.
For winter sails between November and March, layer with a fleece and insulated jacket. Lake Lanier surface temperatures drop into the low 50s and the wind chill on a moving boat shaves 10 degrees off air temperature, per USACE Lake Lanier seasonal conditions.
What to bring on a sailing charter for food and drink
You are welcome to bring a cooler, a charcuterie board, takeout from Flowery Branch, or anything you want to eat and drink during your charter. Two practical limits apply when figuring out what to bring on a sailing charter for food, and I will cover both because they trip up first-timers.
First, alcohol. Georgia law allows open containers on private boats, but I as the operator stay sober the whole sail, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources boating regulations set the legal BAC limit at 0.08 percent for any passenger operating a tender or kayak. Beer, wine, and seltzer in cans are fine. Glass bottles are a hard no because broken glass on a fiberglass deck creates an injury and cleanup problem I have dealt with twice in twenty years and would prefer to never repeat. If you want a bottle of champagne for an engagement or anniversary sail, let me know in advance and I will move it into a thermos or ice bucket for you.
Second, food packaging. The boat heads out for three to eight hours and trash builds up fast. Bring food in reusable containers when you can, pack out everything you bring on, and avoid single-use plastic if possible. A 12V cooler is built into the cockpit so I can keep your food cold without you bringing a Yeti.
Popular food choices on what to bring on a sailing charter:
- Sandwiches, wraps, and charcuterie boards from Flowery Branch restaurants on Main Street.
- Fruit, cheese, and crackers for half-day sails.
- Pre-made cocktails in cans or a thermos.
- Catered meals from local providers for corporate sails and birthdays.
Water is the one drink I cannot supply enough of for a full group. The boat has a 5-gallon refill jug, but on a hot August afternoon, six adults will go through that in under two hours, so bring one liter per person, minimum, on any sail longer than three hours.
What Captain John already keeps on board so you do not have to
Half the questions I get about what to bring on a sailing charter are actually about items I already stock on the boat. Here is the full list of what is aboard the Lord Nelson sailboat at Dock Q, Aqualand Marina, so you can leave the duplicates at home and skip the last-minute Target run.
Safety gear: 8 USCG-approved Type II life jackets in adult and youth sizes, a Type IV throwable cushion, a marine first aid kit, flares, a fire extinguisher, and a VHF radio. US Coast Guard Boating Safety recommends one wearable life jacket per person on board at all times, and the boat is stocked above that minimum.
Comfort items: 12V cockpit cooler, freshwater rinse station with hand pump, four rinse towels, two cockpit cushions, Bluetooth speaker, phone charging port (USB-A and USB-C), shade canopy for the cockpit on hot days, and a small marine fridge.
Weather and onboard tech: chartplotter with current depth and wind data, GPS, marine VHF for hourly forecasts, anchor and rode for swim stops, and a backup paddle. I check the NOAA marine forecast zones before every sail and will text you the morning of if conditions change.
Sailing kit: mainsail, jib, lines, fenders, two anchor setups, dinghy, snorkel mask and fins, and a swim ladder off the stern.
If you want me to provide anything specific (a particular drink, a birthday cake, a custom Bluetooth playlist), email me at least 48 hours before the sail and I will pick it up the morning of your charter at Flowery Branch Publix.
What NOT to bring on a Lake Lanier charter
A short list of items that get left in the car at Aqualand or stay home entirely. These come up in nearly every conversation about what to bring on a sailing charter because a friend told a guest to bring them, but they cause practical problems on a sailboat.
- Glass bottles and glasses. Broken glass on a fiberglass deck ends the sail.
- Hard-soled or heeled shoes. They scuff the gelcoat and slip on wet decks.
- Beach umbrellas. The boat has a shade canopy, and an umbrella becomes a sail in 10 knots of wind.
- Speakers louder than the onboard Bluetooth. Sound carries far across Lake Lanier and bothers other boats.
- Pets unless arranged in advance. They need life jackets and a pre-sail plan, so ask me before you bring one.
- Hard plastic floats and inflatables. Tough for me to stow, and they blow away the moment you let go.
- Anything that cannot get wet. Pool rule: if you would not bring it to a pool, leave it at home or pack a dry bag.
That covers the gear side. For directions to the marina from the freeway, see how to find Dock Q at Aqualand Marina from I-985.
Frequently asked questions
What to bring on a sailing charter for clothes and shoes?
When guests ask what to bring on a sailing charter, the wardrobe question comes up first. Wear soft-soled shoes (boat shoes, deck shoes, or any sneaker with a light-colored bottom), quick-dry shorts or pants, a T-shirt or tank base layer, a UPF long-sleeve sun shirt for the hottest hours, and a light windbreaker for wind on the water. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes if we plan to anchor in Two Mile Creek for a swim stop. Skip heavy cotton because it holds sweat. November through March, swap the sun shirt for a fleece and add a beanie. The American Sailing Association sailing clothing checklist matches what I recommend for Lake Lanier.
Do I need to bring my own life jacket on a sailing charter?
No. The boat is stocked with 8 USCG-approved Type II life jackets in adult and youth sizes, plus a Type IV throwable cushion, which meets and exceeds the US Coast Guard boating safety standard of one wearable life jacket per person on board. If you have a young child under 30 pounds, or anyone who needs a specific size or style (inflatable belt, fishing vest with pockets, infant cradle), let me know when you book and I will either confirm the boat has one in stock or pick one up before the sail. Federal law requires kids under 13 to wear a life jacket while the boat is moving.
Can I bring food and alcohol on a sailing charter?
Yes to both, with limits. Coolers, sandwiches, charcuterie, and takeout from Flowery Branch are all welcome. Beer, wine, and canned cocktails are fine for adult passengers because Georgia allows open containers on private boats. Hard liquor and glass bottles are limited for safety. I, as the operator, stay completely sober for the entire sail. If you want a bottle of champagne for a celebration, I will move it into a thermos or ice bucket so we keep glass off the deck. Bring at least one liter of water per person on sails longer than three hours, per Explore Georgia Lake Lanier guidance.
What happens if the weather is bad on my charter day?
I monitor the National Weather Service lightning safety guidance and the NOAA marine forecast every morning of a scheduled sail. If thunderstorms, sustained winds above 25 knots, or lightning within 10 miles are in the forecast for our window, I will text you 4 to 6 hours before departure to either reschedule or shift the start time. There is no fee to reschedule for weather, and I will work with you on any date in the next 12 months at the same rate. Light rain alone is not a cancellation because Lake Lanier afternoons clear quickly, but anything heavier means we postpone.