Sailing Tips: Your Ultimate Guide to Adventures at Sea
If you are thinking of going on a sailing trip, but you have doubts, don’t worry, here you will find everything you need to know to travel in the best way on a sailboat.
Sailing trips are suitable for everyone, however, as with any other type of trip, having more experience can help you enjoy the experience more.
Preparations
To make the most of a trip aboard a sailboat, the first thing you should do is choose the destination that you like or are interested in the most. One of the advantages you have when traveling by sailboat is that you will have access to unique destinations, whether it is Antarctica, the Norwegian fjords… A large number of places that are more difficult to access by boat, but are totally feasible for a sailboat.
Take your time choosing the trip as the possibilities are practically endless. Once you are clear about the destination, research about it. There are many things you should know before traveling to a specific place, for example, if you decide to sail to Antarctica, it is important to know the regulations of the Atlantic Treaty.
In addition to regulations, it is also important to cGet to know the tourist attractions of the place to know what to visit, the weather conditions, the flora and fauna you can photograph… That is, the important thing here is to make everything quite clear so as not to leave anything to improvisation and that nothing catches you off guard.
Thanks to the internet and the experience of others who have traveled sailing before you, you can find a lot of options and tips. Don’t hesitate to try to inform yourself as much as possible so you know what to expect from each place or find some tips.
Luggage and recommended clothing
Luggage and recommended clothing will vary a bit depending on the destination. As you can imagine, taking a trip to tropical virgin islands will not be the same as going to Antarctica.
Regardless of where you’re headed, there are some items you can’t forget. In your travel suitcase there should be room for a hat, sunglasses and broad-spectrum sunscreen to be able to protect you well from the sun. Traveling on a cruise ship there will be times when you can enjoy the deck. The sun can be very treacherous, so having the right cream will help you avoid any scares.
As for clothes, it is important that they are light and quick-drying if possible. At the end of the day, you are going to spend a lot of time surrounded by water, so it would be rare if you don’t end up getting wet, even more so if we take into account how much a sailboat can move in the water.
Pay attention to appropriate footwear for shore excursions and also bring some warm clothes just in case. It is also important to have technical clothing, i.e. special clothing that is waterproof and windproof.
Finally, we also recommend that you bring navigation equipment, for example, don’t forget a good pair of binoculars, a compass and a GPS to be able to travel safely.
Responsible sailing and safety
A sailing trip is a totally different experience from what you can find anywhere else. One of the aspects that most differentiates this type of trip from others is that on the sailboat you are very close with the crew and the rest of the passengers. To a certain extent, each passenger actively participates in the tasks of the sailboat, so a small coexistence is created where you can meet many new people.
This camaraderie forces the participants of the trip to behave in a safe and responsible way, since they are all on board the same boat. For this reason, it is important to have a minimum notions of safety and to follow the instructions of the crew at all times. This involves wearing life jackets, respecting navigation rules, maintaining good communication, and paying attention to weather conditions.
Avoid dizziness
If you are one of those who get seasick, on a sailboat it is likely that you can get seasick easily. Fortunately, there are many home remedies to avoid motion sickness and there is also medication in this regard. We recommend that you contact your doctor if you want to be prescribed something to prevent motion sickness, so you will make your trip a much more pleasant experience.
Frequently asked questions
We answer some of the most frequently asked questions about sailing.
What is the best time to go sailing?
The best time to travel by sailboat will depend on the destination. Depending on which hemisphere you are going to, it is likely that in some cases the best conditions will be found from July to September and elsewhere from January to March. When you’re interested in a specific destination, simply find out about the best time to enjoy it.
Do I need to know how to sail to travel on a sailboat?
The sailing trips you can hire have a professional crew. Although having a few notions of navigation will help you enjoy the trip more, the trip aboard the sailboat will be at the expense of the captain, so you can travel without knowing how to sail without problems.
How long does a sailing trip take?
As with the time of year, the duration of the trip will depend on what you hire. Some tours take place over a few days, while others will extend beyond the week. Depending on the itinerary you take, your trip will last more or less, so it will basically be your decision.
Is it safe to travel by sailboat?
Traveling by sailboat is the safest thing to do. In addition to the life-saving measures with which they are equipped, nowadays sailboats have a lot of technology to make the trip much safer. Sailboats have devices capable of knowing the weather, so they will avoid the most complicated conditions for sailing without problems.
Conclusions
A sailing trip is an exciting experience that you should have at least once in your life. Not only because of the possibility of reaching exotic places, away from the hand of man, but also because of the experience of traveling in such a way.
There is nothing comparable to a sailing trip, so no matter how many trips you take or many places you have visited, the experience of traveling on a sailboat will always be unique and unforgettable. Anyone can travel aboard a sailboat, but we recommend that you get a little fit so that you can enjoy the trip much more and make it safer.
Traveling by sailboat is a perfect opportunity to commune with nature. Enjoy the waves of the sea, the freedom, the fauna and flora that can only be found in a few places… There is no doubt that a sailing trip is one of the most fascinating things you can do.
Follow all these tips to make your trip a much more profitable experience and, if it is your first time aboard a sailboat, we are sure that you will repeat.
