Totes and duffels have been the perfect way to carry gear and clothing aboard your boat (or to any waterfront outing) for quite awhile.

Look for outside pocket(s), inside pockets, key clip, waterproof vinyl liner with sturdy bound seams and top-zippered closure to keep things safe and dry. Made of recycled sail material, the marine-grade canvas is sun-, weather- and water-resistant. Zippers are corrosion-resistant for long-term performance in the marine environment. Navy with red number, black with blue number, or orange with blue number.

New items include accessories such as toiletry kits, and pillows - making perfect moderately priced gifts. From West Marine. Click here to view their offers!

Handheld VHF radios are a good back-up to the ship's VHF radio, since they are independent of the ship's antenna and DC system.

We think that you should carry one in your Grab Bag equipped with a waterproof bag and alkaline batteries for life raft communications as well. Recommended models include the West Marine and Icom ranges of products. From West Marine. Click here to view their large selection of VHF Radios!

Standard Horizon Gx1600 Explorer Fixed Mount Vhf Radio, White: Fixed Mount VHF Radio. Mounting a VHF radio has never been easier. The Explorer GX1600 has an ultra-thin and compact rear case, only 3 1/2" in depth or half the depth of comparable VHF radios. The rear case design also gives flexibility when flush mounting the radio in tight areas or bracket mounting the radio by taking up less dash space, and allowing more mounting options. The GX1600 has been designed to meet the new ITU-R M493-13 Class D DSC regulations with a dedicated channel 70 receiver that continuously watches for DSC calls. The GX1600 accepts a RAM3 Remote Access Microphone, allowing full control of all radio and DSC functions from a second station. The microphone uses ClearVoice noise reduction technology, which reduces wind and engine noise when transmitting. GX1600 has the ability to poll (request and send) the GPS location of another vessel and show that vessel s position on the radio s display. Connecting a compatible GPS chartplotter will allow the GX1600 to repeat your position, SOG, COG and time on the full dot-matrix display. Channel Selection: Up/down keys Controls: Volume, squelch, spring-loaded DSC distress cover, backlit keypad Mic Controls: Channel selection, 16/9 and H/L keys Display Type: Backlit dot matrix Scanning Modes: Programmable, Priority Scan and Dual Watch Weather Alert: Yes Receiver Performance: Sensitivity: 25 V; Rejection: 70dB NMEA Interface: NMEA 0183 Input and Output DSC: Meets ITU-R M493-13 Class D DSC Dimensions: 5 3/8"W x 2 13/16"H x 2 9/16"D Draw: 5A/0.5A Waterproof: Rated IPX8 submersible plus Warranty: Three-year waterproof, $65 flat rate.

Deck Shoes or Boots (Priorty for Boaters): Price Range $45 to $100: We don t really care if you prefer to use boots, moccasins or athletic-style boat shoes, but you must wear them when on deck and, preferably, reserve them only for the boat (although most of the sailors we know wear them all the time). Nothing ruins a trip faster than a broken toe or other foot injury, and nothing is more unsafe than insecure footing.

West Marine has hundreds of styles for men and women including Helly Hansen, Teva, Rockport, Sperry's Submersible Boots, Shimano Fishing Boots, water shoes, classic boating rain boots, Sperry Top-Sider sandals (which are what we live in, actually -- not the best idea for boating, but we don't like shoes!) Selections include sturdy, nonmarking sole that grips the deck wet or dry. Of course, they re waterproof and comfortable after hours of wear.

Ship's Medical Kit (Priority): Price Range $100 to $700

We like any of the current medical kits that are partitioned into smaller "bags" of gear, each one of which will treat a particular class of injury. West Marine Medical Kits are made by Adventure Medical Kits, a respected outdoor supplier, and they come with an excellent instructional manual called Medicine for Mariners by Drs. Eric Weiss and Michael Jacobs. Also consider having a kit that's easily available to the crew so they can find common painkillers, bandages, sunscreen, tweezers, etc. This will keep your crew from rummaging around in your neatly organized Ship's Medical Kit.

Try something quite unusual . . . West Marine has a take-anywhere first aid kit (right) that keeps you prepared for minor injuries: Handle minor injuries with this kit featuring a lightweight 32oz. bottle filled with the most commonly used first aid items. Contains a first aid and CPR guide, first aid and burn cream, whistle, scissors, tweezers, tape, gauze, non-aspirin tablets, towelettes, alcohol pads, bandages of various sizes, reusable ziplock bag, tissue pack and sting relief pads. Rugged polycarbonate bottle comes in assorted colors and stows easily in a glove box or dry bag.

Foul Weather Gear (Priority): Cruising Sailors live in FWG like a corporate lawyer lives in a three-piece suit. Buy quality gear that fits loosely enough to allow insulating garments beneath. Best brands are Henri Lloyd, West Marine, Douglas Gill, and Musto. Breathable fabrics are now dependable and recommended for additional comfort.