As I prepare to embark on a week of sailing around the Solent to complete my RYA Day Skipper, I have already started to look at what I need to pack. A week of sailing is difficult to prepare for, especially as a complete beginner, but even for someone who has sailed to some pretty incredible places it can still take a good bit of planning.
Several factors are going to affect what you need to pack, and the skipper of your trip should give you some sort of indication as what to bring. For example, on Winter or Autumnal trips, some boots and multiple pairs of waterproofs will be your best friend. On the contrary, in Summer, you’ll want t-shirts and swimwear! This post covers the essentials that will see you well at any time of year.
Safety First
Depending on who you are sailing with and where, some of the following pieces of kit are most likely onboard already. If not, ask around anyone you know who sails as they aren’t cheap! Unless you plan on sailing very regularly then I don’t recommend outlaying this cost yourself.
As expected, a life jacket is essential. No matter where you are, or how much experience you have, when out on deck it is very important to either be wearing, or have to hand, a life jacket. Although usually down to the skipper’s discretion if it’s worn or not, most insist. Honestly speaking, I don’t know if I will make it compulsory when I am a skipper, it may just depend on circumstance. Nonetheless, you need to ensure you have one or one is available for you!
On a similar theme, if the weather becomes less favourable, a good set of foul weather clothing (or foulies as they are commonly known) are essential. These are again usually provided for you, but if not, try the borrowing route first. A good set of these can set you back over £1,000 so again if you are not regularly sailing, they may not be worth the investment. That being said, if you have the money available, get yourself a high quality, well fitting set and they will see you far. The same goes for a set of sailing boots. Google recommendations if you are looking to buy some, but I have always borrowed them thus far.
The above safety kit, as I mention, I have always borrowed. I am not yet sailing regularly enough, nor do I have the disposable money, to justify buying my own kit. Nonetheless, I keep an eye on sales and the foulies/boots are quite high on my wish list! Also, at the end of the day, if the weather is horrendous I am unlikely to be putting myself out on the water!
Life on Deck
Now for the bulk of the kit, and this is all personal! I began using some clothing from the other sports I do (such as my skiing thermals or walking trousers). However, over time I have accrued my own personal kit and this I would highly recommend.
Apologies for sounding patronising, but just to leave no stone unturned I’m going to say it. Underwear (enough to last the duration of your trip), a couple of towels (so when one is wet you can use the other) and daytime clothes. You’ll want a few sport-style t-shirts to rotate through when sailing, as well as a pair of sailing trousers and, weather depending, some shorts. If you don’t have sailing specific trousers and shorts, chino style would be more suitable than denim. Jeans are a no go! If denim gets wet, it is a nightmare to dry at sea. It also becomes heavy when wet and is difficult to move about in. For the evenings, a lightweight jumper to stick on when up on deck is worth putting into your bag. A showerproof jacket is advised too, as it beats getting the heavy foulies on if it begins spitting.
From the normal daywear to a few sailing essentials. Sailing shoes (or non-marking deck shoes) should be worn on a daily basis. They are more practical than flip flops and provide a bit of protection from anything falling on your toes. They also help you from slipping over which causes a lot of sailing injuries! Another key piece of equipment to prevent injuries are gloves for any rope-work.
Washing can be rare if onboard for several days, however most ports have showers ashore to use. Make sure you take a wash kit with suitable toiletries. Small, non pressurised containers are ideal to save space and prevent spillages. They are also easier to dispose of once used!
Sleep Sweetly
Some sailing trips will involve staying ashore in hotels each night, however for cost, ease and to fully immerse yourself in the experience, many people chose to sleep onboard. For some ships, this is a luxury and they provide bedding, pillows and soft mattresses. Some ships less so. When I sailed across the Atlantic, I was on a thin mattress on top on the engine cupboard, in a room with 3 other bunks. It was a tight squeeze and personal space was at a premium. Nonetheless I slept well (probably due to actual tiredness) and for this I owe some thanks to my sleeping kit, including my choice of sleepwear!
If you are sailing through the night, you may be on shifts and may end up sleeping in some really cold conditions. Other times, you may be at anchor in the sunny Caribbean. Either way, a sleeping bag suitable to the conditions is an important piece of kit. It doesn’t need to be industrial, as if you were camping out in Snowdonia, but you also want something comfortable to compensate for a potentially firm base! I use a Vango which doubles as my camping sleeping bag. I have never had an issue with this, even on nights in the middle of the Atlantic!
As important as a good sleeping bag, in my opinion, is a good pillow. I don’t use my high quality memory foam pillow in case anything happens, but I still make sure to take a comfortable one with me. Although not crucial, it can save some stiff neck mornings and provide a little bit of home when out at sea.
Key Accessories
To log your adventures at sea, and to build the miles for each qualification level, you’ll need a logbook. There are many on the market, but the RYA G158 Logbook is a good place to start. It covers the whole RYA training syllabus, gives you space to stick certificates of competency and plenty of space to log your voyages. I use this one, however I have a leather-bound logbook ready for my personal voyages later in life, when fully qualified.
One of the perks of sailing is the quick access to the sea, so be sure to pack some swimwear if the weather is good enough for a dip! Also packing suncream, sunglasses and a hat (preferably one with a clip that won’t blow off) is crucial, especially for sunny trips!
On long voyages, but even sometimes on short passages, you have lots of time to utilise. Most people can not survive without their mobile phones, so make sure to bring a charger with you and a waterproof case to keep it in onboard! For other forms of entertainment, a book or two and some playing cards also passes the time. Playing games with others at sea provides a great break from day to day stresses.
One question may still persist; what to pack all this kit in? I use a medium sized North Face holdall. I highly recommend using a soft stowage bag, as they can be squeezed into small storage spaces. Hard frame bags, especially with wheels, can be difficult to store in limited space.
Overview
So there is an overview of what I consider to be the essential pieces of kit and equipment to take sailing. The quantities depend on duration, however in many cases space can be of a premium. Here is a condensed list of all the equipment.
- Soft Stowage Bag
- Foul Weather Clothing and Sailing Boots
- Soft Sole Trainers or Sailing Shoes
- T-Shirts, Sailing Trousers and Shorts
- Jumper, Rain Jacket
- Sailing Gloves
- Underwear, Sleepwear
- Wash Kit, Towels and Swimwear
- Sleeping Bag, Pillow
- Suncream, Hat, Sunglasses
- Playing Cards, Books
- Mobile Phone, Waterproof Case and Charger
- Logbook
Sailing is a fantastic activity and a great way to get some fresh air, explore new places and meet new people. For families it is a fantastic opportunity to work together and learn new skills. I have never had a dull experience sailing, and each time you go to sea, you learn something new. I can not emphasise enough the importance of being prepared; tides can turn and weather can worsen and you are at the mercy of Mother Nature most of the time. Being prepared for any eventuality can ensure you comfort and, maybe, even save your life.