What to bring on a sailing charter: your Lake Lanier gear list
Last August, a family of six showed up at Aqualand Marina for their first sail on Lake Lanier carrying two large rolling suitcases, a beach umbrella, and no sunscreen. By the time we cleared the no-wake zone near Buford Dam, everyone was squinting. Knowing what to bring on a sailing charter is the difference between a great day on the water and a miserable one. This list covers everything you actually need, and nothing you don't.
What to bring on a sailing charter: the full packing list
The full answer to what to bring on a sailing charter fits in one soft-sided bag. If it doesn't fit in a bag you can carry over one shoulder, it's probably something you don't need. The non-negotiables are footwear, sun protection, water, food, and a small layer for weather changes. Everything else is optional.
After 20 years running private sails out of Aqualand Marina on Lake Lanier, I've watched every packing mistake play out at Dock Zk. The table below captures what to bring on a sailing charter sorted by priority. Items in the first column are non-negotiable; the second helps; the third belongs at the dock. For a broader look at planning a full day out, see the Lake Lanier day sail guide from Atlanta.
| Bring | Nice to have | Leave at the dock |
|---|---|---|
| Non-slip deck shoes | Polarized sunglasses | Rolling suitcase |
| SPF 50+ sunscreen | Camera or GoPro | Hard-sided cooler |
| Water (1 L/person/hr) | Ginger chews | Glass bottles |
| Hat with full brim | Light windbreaker | Beach umbrella |
| UV-rated shirt (UPF 50+) | Acupressure wristbands | Folding chairs |
| Snacks and lunch | Small dry bag | Drone (permit required) |
| Soft bag or backpack | Change of clothes | Platform heels or flip-flops |
Sun protection on Lake Lanier: how serious it gets
On a clear July day at Aqualand Marina, the UV index on Lake Lanier regularly hits 10, which the National Weather Service Atlanta forecast office classifies as Very High. Water reflects 10 to 15 percent of UV radiation back at you on top of direct exposure. A half-day sail from Dock Zk out toward Two Mile Creek is enough time for a serious burn without protection.
SPF 50+ is the floor, not the ceiling. Sunscreen is the most consequential item on any list of what to bring on a sailing charter in July. Apply it before you leave the marina parking lot, not at the dock. Reapply at the two-hour mark no matter what the sky looks like. NOAA ocean service resources confirm that UV penetrates cloud cover at 80 percent strength on overcast days, which catches many first-time sailors off guard. Ears, the back of the neck, and the tops of feet are the areas most people miss.
A wide-brim hat adds protection the sunscreen misses. Baseball caps leave ears and the side of the neck exposed. UV-rated shirts with UPF 50+ block the equivalent of SPF 50+ from the torso without any reapplication needed. On a four-hour sail between Flowery Branch and Buford Dam, that extra layer pays off.
For a closer look at this, see Sailboat proposal on Lake Lanier: a step-by-step guide for 2026.
For a closer look at this, see Bachelorette party boat Lake Lanier: the complete planning guide.
For a closer look at this, see Sailing lessons Lake Lanier: What Captain John teaches beginners.
There is a full breakdown of this topic in Birthday boat party Lake Lanier: book the full boat for 14 guests.
We cover the details separately in Corporate team building Lake Lanier: a leadership offsite case study.
What to bring on a sailing charter for food and drinks
What to bring on a sailing charter for food comes down to one rule: bring more water than you think you need. At Lord Nelson Charters, the boat carries a large marine cooler packed with ice, but guests supply everything that goes in it. The lake doesn't have food delivery when you're anchored two miles off Buford Dam.
Pack soft-sided containers and avoid glass. A dropped wine bottle on fiberglass creates a cut hazard and cleanup underway. Canned drinks work well. Plan for at least 1 liter of water per person per hour; the Lake Lanier Association notes that summer surface temps average 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and dehydration is a real risk in open sun on the water.
Snacks that don't need refrigeration work best on shorter sails: crackers, cheese, fruit, and sandwiches in reusable containers. For a sunset sail out of Aqualand Marina, see what others pack in our Lake Lanier sunset cruise guide. Skip the wine in a glass bottle; screw-cap cans or tumblers keep the deck clean and everyone safe.
Footwear and clothing: dress for the deck, not the dock
Footwear is the item guests most often get wrong before a Lake Lanier sail. Platform sandals, flip-flops, and bare feet all present real fall risks on wet fiberglass that heels to 15 degrees when the wind picks up. The right shoes make the whole day safer and more comfortable for everyone aboard.
The question of what to bring on a sailing charter for footwear is easy: rubber-soled shoes that grip wet fiberglass. Sperrys, sailing shoes, or non-marking sneakers all work. White soles are preferred because they don't scuff the deck. Closed toes protect against winch handles and cleats. The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division identifies improper footwear as a contributing factor in deck falls on recreational watercraft, and a sailboat's angled deck amplifies that risk compared to a flat-bottomed powerboat.
For clothing, think in layers. On Lake Lanier in July, it's 90 degrees at the dock and noticeably cooler with the wind once you're past I-985. A light UPF shirt over a swimsuit is the standard setup. Bring a windbreaker or thin fleece for any trip that runs past sunset near Browns Bridge. Avoid loose fabric, long skirts, or anything with drawstrings long enough to catch on a cleat or line.
What to bring on a sailing charter if you or your crew gets seasick
Lake Lanier is not the open ocean, but wind chop between Flowery Branch and Buford Dam can be enough to unsettle first-timers. Knowing what to bring on a sailing charter for motion sickness is worth five minutes of prep before you leave home. The medication only works if you take it before you feel bad.
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine taken one hour before you arrive at Aqualand Marina gives the drug time to work. Over-the-counter options are widely available. The American Sailing Association recommends three non-medication strategies that work on inland lakes: stay on deck in fresh air, fix your gaze on the far shore, and stay out of the cabin below deck. Ginger chews and acupressure wristbands add backup with no side effects.
If someone in your group is prone to motion sickness, let me know before departure. I can plan the route to avoid the choppiest fetch near Browns Bridge in north wind conditions, which reduces the discomfort significantly.
Packing for families and first-timers on Lake Lanier
First-time guests and families with kids have the most questions about what to bring on a sailing charter. The answer: same list as everyone else, but double the sunscreen, bring a change of clothes per child in a dry bag, and confirm life jacket sizing before you arrive at Dock Zk.
I keep Coast Guard-approved life jackets aboard for every passenger in every size. Smaller kids are more comfortable if they have worn their jacket before the day of the sail. USCG guidelines require every person aboard to have access to a properly fitted personal flotation device. Knowing your child's weight lets me have the right size ready. For a deeper look at what families experience on the water, see our Lake Lanier sailing charter family guide.
What to leave at the dock
Rather than a long list of what to bring on a sailing charter, sometimes it helps to spell out what doesn't come aboard. A 42-foot sloop has a cockpit, a cabin, and limited stowage below. There is no trunk, no baggage claim, and no room for items that can't be lashed down.
Rolling suitcases take up half the cockpit floor and become projectiles in a sudden gust. Large hard-sided coolers can't be stowed safely. Glass bottles are a cut hazard on fiberglass. Drones need a permit to fly over Lake Lanier under Army Corps of Engineers recreational guidelines, and most guests don't know that until they're already at Dock Zk. Loud Bluetooth speakers override the sound of wind in the sails, which is much of the point. One soft bag per person keeps the deck clear and the day relaxed. For groups, see how gear logistics work on a Wednesday group sail on Lake Lanier.
The Explore Georgia travel guide is a good starting point for understanding what amenities exist near Aqualand Marina versus what you need to bring yourself. The marina has a parking lot and launch area, but no on-site restaurant or marine store.
Frequently asked questions
What shoes should I wear on a sailing charter?
Wear non-slip, rubber-soled shoes with closed toes on a sailing charter. Deck shoes or sneakers work well. Flip-flops are a fall risk on wet decks, and bare feet put you at risk from winch handles and cleats. White or light soles are preferred because dark rubber marks fiberglass decks. The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division notes that proper footwear is one of the simplest steps to prevent on-deck injuries during recreational sailing outings on inland lakes like Lake Lanier.
Can I bring my own food and drinks on a Lake Lanier sailing charter?
Yes, guests are expected to bring all food and drinks on a Lord Nelson Charters sail. The boat has a cooler stocked with ice, but there is no galley or catering. Plan on at least 1 liter of water per person per hour underway; dehydration sneaks up quickly on open water. Pack food in soft containers and avoid glass. The Lake Lanier Association notes that summer surface temps average 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so cold drinks matter more than you might expect out on the water.
What should I wear for a summer sail on Lake Lanier?
Light, long-sleeved UV-rated shirts are the best summer choice on Lake Lanier. NOAA weather data for the Gainesville, Georgia area shows UV index readings of 9 to 10 from June through August, classified as Very High. A light layer also helps when the wind picks up off Buford Dam. Bring a hat with a full brim, since baseball caps leave ears and the back of the neck exposed. Avoid loose fabrics that snag on rigging. A swimsuit underneath is smart if you want to get splashed near Two Mile Creek.
Do I need to bring sunscreen on a sailing charter?
Yes, and knowing what to bring on a sailing charter in summer means putting sunscreen first. Bring more than you think you need. Water reflects additional UV radiation back onto your skin, compounding the already-high UV index on Lake Lanier. NOAA data for North Georgia shows readings of 9 to 10 (Very High) throughout June, July, and August. Apply SPF 50 or higher before leaving the dock, pack a backup tube for reapplication at the two-hour mark, and cover ears, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet. Reef-safe formulas are a good choice on any body of water.
What should I bring if I tend to get seasick on a boat?
Lake Lanier is flat water by ocean standards, but wind chop near Flowery Branch can bother first-timers. Knowing what to bring on a sailing charter for motion sickness starts with timing: take dimenhydrinate or meclizine one hour before departure, not at the dock when you are already feeling off. Ginger chews and acupressure wristbands are worth packing as backup. The American Sailing Association recommends staying on deck in fresh air, fixing your gaze on a stable point on the far shore, and staying out of enclosed below-deck spaces as the most effective non-medication strategies.
What should I not bring on a Lake Lanier sailing charter?
Leave rolling suitcases, large hard-sided coolers, beach umbrellas, and folding chairs at the dock. A 42-foot sloop has limited deck and cockpit storage, and any item that cannot be stowed in a soft bag or backpack is a tripping hazard underway. Glass bottles are a cut risk on fiberglass. Flying a drone over Lake Lanier requires a permit under Army Corps of Engineers recreational guidelines. Loud portable speakers work against the quiet point of a sail. One soft bag per person is the right approach.
For a closer look at this, see Lake Lanier pirate cruise kids: plan the perfect family sail.
For a closer look at this, see Bachelorette party boat Lake Lanier: how to plan the perfect sail.