Protecting your kit at sea.

[JB Rugby]

Hi all,

I am off sailing next week and will spend a couple of nights on the boat. From previous experiences I forever seem to remember that whatever the weather, you will spend a damp night and enjoy humid mornings.

I am planning to take my kit with me but was wondering what would the best trick you'd use to protect it during the night. So far the only thing I can think of is to throw the lot in a bin bag and shut it tight.

Kit consists of EOS400D + 2 lenses + Flashgun + bits and bobs (batteries, CFcards etc...), all wrapped in a Lowepro slingshot bag.

Cheers

Edited by JB Rugby on Thursday 19th June 18:33

[VxDuncan]

JB Rugby said:

Hi all,

I am off sailing next week and will spend a couple of nights on the boat. From previous experiences I forever seem to remember that whatever the weather, you will spend a damp night and enjoy humid mornings.

I am planning to take my kit with me but was wondering what would the best trick you'd use to protect it during the night. So far the only thing I can think of is to throw the lot in a bin bag and shut it tight.

Kit consists of EOS400D + 2 lenses + Flashgun + bits and bobs (batteries, CFcards etc...), all wrapped in a Lowepro slingshot bag.

Cheers

Edited by JB Rugby on Thursday 19th June 18:33

Assuming it's the same for using kit in monsoon season. Pre-warm the kit before taking it out in humid conditions so water doesn't condense on it. Buy a big bag of silca gel (not those crappy little packets) and keep it in the camera bag. Remember to dry it out regularly or you'll just be storing moisture...

[Taffer]

Why not try getting a few sachets of silica gel (the stuff that comes with new shoes, bags, etc). They absorb moisture and should work for the week.

If you want to waterproof your kit, don't use a bin bag - get a proper canoe bag - Ortlieb do some good ones, but there are others out there. It will provide good moisture protection and, if the worst happens, will keep your kit dry if it falls into the oggin.

[JB Rugby]

thanks.

Completely forgot about canoe bags....doh !

[JD]

I Take my Slr out on the boat with all the time, often for weeks

Never protected it in anyway and never experienced any problems at all

[pikey]

Depends on the boat and conditions that you're sailing in.

For example, there would be no way to protect your gear in a global challenge yacht through the Southern Ocean.

[Don]

Lowepro do some "DryZone" totally waterproof, floating backpacks. One of them with the aforementioned silica gel might be the best you could do for your kit?

I spent a week in a Thames cruiser a few years back...in the summer, mind. Yes it was damp and humid but I just used a regular Lowepro backpack and didn't really worry about it. Was fine.

[Goldeeno]

Depending on what lenses you have etc, i have an L series, so on wet day, freezer bag round the camera body, and leave the lens more open to the elements. Although i assume you could make a plastice sleve to go on the lens aswell.

As for storage, how about a tupperware box, or general storage box, most of them seal well enough, im sure Ikea sell them for pence!

[tank slapper]

I never had any problems with mine when I took it aboard. It was kept below in a Lowepro bag in one of the lockers with no other special protection. Being selective about when to get it out (ie not in a raging storm with lashing rain) and it was fine. Another thing to consider is be careful about where you put it - things can have a habit of launching themselves across the cabin without warning.