Below is a list of suggestions for how to prepare to go on your first sailing trip. Please provide feedback on this list and how we can improve it TheSailingSpot@gmail.com.

Luggage Sunscreen Hat Gloves Shoes Sickness WetWeather Warmth Sunglasses Trousers  Jewelry

This is an important subject as yachts do not have a lot of storage space and they certainly do not have space for big, hard suitcases. So you have to only use soft bags that can be flattened/scrunched and stuck in small and unusual sized spaces. Also makes sense to have waterproof bag.

When on a boat we need to always reduce any risk of falling and hurting ourselves. Sunscreen that contains oil can create a slippery surface which may cause someone to slip and hurt themselves. So we recommend that you use non-oil based sunscreen.

Whichever kind of hat you decide to take remember that there will be wind blowing and so it should be secured in some way so that you do not lose it overboard. A good solution would be to buy a hat-clip to clip the hat to your shirt.

You may be asked to pull different ropes to help with the sails or maybe mooring/berthing. Sailing gloves can help protect your hands.

The decks of sailing vessels are; slippery and also have lots of objects for you to hit your toes and feet on. Also, when the deck is wet, it becomes even more slippery and so specialised sailing shoes are recommended to help prevent slipping and protect your toes and feet from pain. White sole preferable.

Sea-sickness is not a great experience. We can’t predict if we will be seasick or not and even if we are seasick one day does not mean that we will be seasick again in the future, so it is a bit difficult to anticipate. Generally sea sickness will occur in the first day or two and once you get your sea legs it should go away. However, there are two possible mitigations; one is sea sick tablets that you can get from your local pharmacy and you can also get wrist pressure bands which avoids having to take medication. Might be an idea to get both to be safe.

If you are going to a nice sunny sailing spot then there is probably not much need for wet weather gear however it is wise to take at least a sailing jacket. If you are going to be sailing in cold, wet weather then full wet weather gear is recommended. We don’t have a specific recommendation as there is quite a wide range of different clothing needs depending on the weather, the link below provides different options but often defaults to Men and so you will have to select Male/Female version, size, colour etc.

In the same vein as Wet Weather Gear, it is wise to have a warm fleece to wear under your sailing jacket.

These are really important as the sun not only comes from the sky but it is also reflected off the surface of the sea. Therefore the best sunglasses should be polarised. My favourite brand is Maui Jim.

Sailing is a wet environment; you have the sea, you have humid air which condenses at night if the temperature drops and of course you have salt which attracts and retains water. So do not wear normal clothes like jeans. I would recommend buying some sailing shorts/trousers.

Don’t wear loose fitting jewelry as this might become caught in ropes or other objects which could have physical impacts as well as losing the jewelry overboard.