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Short answer: linen on a vessel is constrained by storage space, a small onboard laundry, salt and sun, and the fact that you cannot get a delivery at sea. Choose lighter, quick-drying towels, measure every berth, carry a higher par than a hotel, and plan deliveries to a port and a date.
What is different on board
| Constraint | Effect on linen |
|---|---|
| Limited storage | Compact folding, lighter weights, no excess stock |
| Small laundry, limited fresh water | Fast-drying fabrics, sensible weights |
| No resupply at sea | Higher par, spares for the whole voyage or charter |
| Salt, sun and sunscreen | Deck towels wear and fade faster |
| Non-standard berths | Custom sheet sizes |
| Turnaround days | Every cabin changed in a few hours |
Towels
| Use | Suggested spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin bath towels | 500 to 550 GSM | Feels generous, still dries in a small dryer |
| Deck and pool towels | 450 to 500 GSM, coloured or striped | Fast drying, hides marks, stays on deck |
| Flat-woven deck towels | Hammam style | Packs very small, dries in the breeze |
| Day-head and galley hand towels | 450 GSM | Changed often |
A 700 GSM towel is a poor fit for a yacht. It takes locker space, holds water and occupies the dryer for twice as long.
Bed linen and berth sizes
Berths on yachts are often tapered, curved or cut to fit the hull. Standard sheets do not fit.
- Measure each berth, or make a paper template of odd shapes.
- Number the berths and label each sheet set to match.
- Fitted sheets shaped to the mattress stay put when the vessel moves.
Bed linen at 200, 300 and 400 thread count starts at 50 pieces per size in custom sizes. For berths with unusual shapes, send the template and we'll confirm what is possible.
Par level
| Vessel | Laundry | Suggested par |
|---|---|---|
| Charter yacht | Small onboard machine, back-to-back charters | 3 to 4 |
| Expedition or long-passage vessel | Limited water | 4 or more |
| Cruise ship | Industrial onboard laundry | 3, as for a hotel |
On a charter turnaround, the crew needs a complete clean set for every cabin before the last set is washed.
Storing linen on board
- Vacuum bags or sealed bags keep spares dry and compact.
- Avoid storing linen against the hull, where condensation forms.
- Rotate stock. Linen left folded for a season in a damp locker yellows along the folds.
Colour and marks
- White for cabins takes a hot wash and matches anything.
- Navy and stripes for deck towels hide marks. Check they are colour-fast to sun, salt water and chlorine.
- Vessel name embroidery is common on robes and deck towels. It is confirmed on enquiry.
Delivery
A vessel needs goods at a named port within a window, cleared and delivered to the dock or to a ship's agent. Tell us the port, the date and the agent. Goods ship from Cochin, and for a tight window, air freight for part of the order is often the answer. Production takes 30 to 45 days, so refit and season-start orders should be placed two to three months ahead.
Cruise lines
Cruise ships buy like large hotels with their own laundries: high volume, strict specs, tunnel-washer durability and consistent reorders. See towels that survive tunnel washers.
Our page for cruise ship linen has more. To get a quote, send us your cabin and berth list.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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