Boat Stuff We Use

Offshore conditions don’t lie — bad gear gets exposed fast. The Gill OS2 Offshore Jacket has proven itself on SV Indie Sky in some of the toughest situations I’ve faced.

I wore it on our Atlantic crossing in May, standing exposed at the flybridge helm through cold, wet night watches. It also held strong in a Bora in Croatia with 60+ knot winds, when spray was hitting so hard it left welts. The OS2 jacket and bibs became my shield.

What I Liked

• Serious waterproofing
   
• High collar & face guard for spray
   
• Improved hood with stiff peak
   
• Breathable comfort even under strain
   

Keep in Mind
It’s heavier than a coastal shell, but that’s the price of real offshore protection.

Bottom Line
This isn’t hype — the Gill OS2 has earned my trust across oceans and gales. If you need foulies built for real offshore sailing, this is it.

👉 Check it out on Amazon (affiliate link — supports our voyages)

• Blade: Traditional
• Function: Excellent for everything an EDC knife is used for, but with a giant marlin spike for rope work
• Edge Control: Versatile for both brute and precision tasks

When you're out sailing with us, you're not just kicking back—you’re crewing. That means cutting lines in a pitching sea, opening provisioning crates, cleaning fish, or slicing a lime for sundowners—all with the same knife.

On Indie Sky, we like gear that’s tough, smart, and multifunctional—like our crew.
If you're looking for a single blade to handle rigging, galley, and deck duty alike, the Captain or Captain Pro are great picks. 

Either way, both knives have earned their place in offshore roll calls—and both are trusted by real crew crossing oceans, not just catalog models posing on the dock.

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HgR5IS 

This is a temporary blurb. It will eventually contain a helpful overview, but for now, it’s just loitering here in an unpaid intern capacity.

• Blade: 3/4 serrated, with a plain tip
• Function: Excellent for aggressive slicing through rope, especially wet or synthetic lines, with a giant marlin spike to boot.
• Edge Control: Cuts fast, but less finesse—more saw than scalpel

When you're out sailing with us, you're not just kicking back—you’re crewing. That means cutting lines in a pitching sea, opening provisioning crates, cleaning fish, or slicing a lime for sundowners—all with the same knife.

On Indie Sky, we like gear that’s tough, smart, and multifunctional—like our crew.
If you're looking for a single blade to handle rigging, galley, and deck duty alike, the Captain or Captain Pro are great picks. 

Sharpening the serrated section of the Captain Pro is a way bigger pain in the ass than the straight blade of the Captain, but in an emergency the Captain Pro's serration would be an asset.

Get it on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3Z8avWB

Electrical issues offshore aren’t optional — they will happen. That’s why I keep the Fluke 323 Clamp Multimeter in my tool kit. It’s compact, tough, and most importantly, accurate.

On SV Indie Sky, I’ve used it to:

• Check shore power & generator output
   
• Verify alternator charging
   
• Troubleshoot solar performance
   
• Test continuity on corroded circuits
   

The clamp function is a lifesaver — measuring current without disconnecting wires saves time and reduces risk, especially at sea.

⚡ What to know: It measures AC current up to 400A and voltage up to 600V, but not DC amps on the clamp. For everyday troubleshooting though, it’s rock-solid.

The Fluke 323 Clamp Multimeter is one of those tools I don’t leave the dock without. Offshore, when your power system acts up, you need a meter you can trust. For me, this is it.

👉 Check out the Fluke 323 Clamp Multimeter on Amazon (affiliate link — at no extra cost to you, your purchase helps support our voyages aboard SV Indie Sky)

This is a temporary blurb. It will eventually contain a helpful overview, but for now, it’s just loitering here in an unpaid intern capacity.

Best For: Crew coordination, mast ascents, anchoring, dinghy ops
Not For: Water sports or high-splash environments

We’ve tested a lot of comms gear aboard SV Indie Sky, and the Sena Expand Mesh headset has earned a solid place in our crew kit—with a few caveats. It shines in dry, operational settings like anchoring maneuvers, mast climbs, and dinghy coordination, but it's not built for watersports. If your day involves spray, salt, and submersion, you’ll need a different solution.

• Excellent Range
  These headsets perform reliably across our 46' Lagoon catamaran—even with one crew member on the dock or in the rib and another at the helm.  At about 50 yards comms can start to get intermittent.
• Two-Person Linkup is Effortless
  Pairing two headsets is plug-and-play. You’ll be chatting hands-free in seconds.
• Three-Unit Mesh is Still Smooth
  Linking a third unit takes a few more steps but usually works well once set.
• Hands-Free Mast Work
  These are a game-changer for going aloft. Both climber and deck crew stay in real-time contact—boosting confidence and safety during mast ascents.
• Comfortable & Wearable with Hats or Helmets
  Even with sunglasses, wide brims, or your foulie hood up, the fit is stable and unobtrusive.
   

• No-Go for Watersports
  Unfortunately, these headsets aren't waterproof. That rules them out for foiling, surfing, spearfishing, or any splash-heavy activity. We’d love to see a marine-rated version.
• Four-Unit Pairing is a Gamble
  While Sena advertises Mesh networking, we've consistently hit a wall when trying to get four units talking reliably. If you need full-crew comms, plan accordingly.
• Button Sequences Can Be Clunky
  The interface isn’t exactly intuitive. Once you get the hang of it, it’s fine—but expect a learning curve.
   

4 out of 5 Stars
If you're looking for dry-deck communication solutions aboard a catamaran or in a multiday expedition context, the Sena Expand Mesh delivers clear audio, solid range, and mesh reliability for 2–3 users. It dramatically improves safety and efficiency—especially during anchoring, docking, or working aloft.

But if your crew is coaching or spotting crew doing water sports these should stay in the nav desk drawer.

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/43nvdnP

This is where we’ll eventually convince you to read the book. For now, just imagine something clever, informative, and mildly inspirational

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Under construction like a DIY electrical panel—expect sparks of brilliance soon, or at least something that won’t void your warranty

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