Sailing is one of the best adventures that any romantic person might want to get involved in, especially when they find themselves spending time near open water. There are plenty of things to experience out in the open sea, as well as while exploring nearby islands and ports. But before grabbing your stuff and heading to the nearest pier where sailing boats are moored, it would be best to figure out how what to expect and what basic knowledge do you need.
The first thing that anyone should do is to decide if they want to go sailing solo or with an experienced skipper. The later is the only option for first-timers, but learning the basics doesn’t take much time and shortly you can stir towards the open water all by yourself. Start with a short one-day tour in a safe area, because getting on the long trips requires some more experience and you should not neglect the services of the professional skipper. Big water does not forgive mistakes sometimes. Using a boat route planner services would also be helpful.
Not paying attention to all the small things that are not important or easily solved on land may cause significant troubles when you’re spending time onboard. There is a list of important stuff that needs to be prepared before going on sailing adventure, and keep in mind that there is always a chance to face extremal conditions. That’s why you have to understand the weather and the way the wind and waves work.
Sailing relies heavily on the wind so you have to learn how to deal with it how to react when it changes its direction and which way it affects the sails. This is a part of the learning process that one can get from experienced sailors, and you can get all the basic knowledge within a few hours if you’ll get a theory mixed with a proper amount of practice.
When It Comes To The Basic Stuff That Has To Be Set For A Sailing Trip, Here Are Some Of The Usual Things To Consider:
1. Closed-toe shoes with good traction
2. Loose/ comfortable clothing
3. Protection from the sun (i.e. hat, glasses, sunscreen)
4. Bottled water to stay hydrated
5. Snacks
6. Jacket or additional protective layers when needed.
Going on a sailing adventure is technically camping out in the sea. Aside from the basic things mentioned above, there are other items that you can bring on the trip. This could range from specific food to tech stuff, all depending on the lifestyle that you follow. And if you want to go out on the open water on a windy day and experience some speed and tilts, and tacks, be sure to put on the life vest, helmet and have a good knife within the reach of your hand in case you’ll get serious troubles with ropes.
Assuming that you are ready to set sail on your own, also it would be best to note that the one who stirs is as much responsible as the person driving a car. There are certain navigation rules you need to follow when you’re around another boat. Also, at a certain point, you might need a license.
Normally, the license is not a vital requirement if you navigate a small boat in calm inland waters, but if you’re operating a big boat and head to the open water getting license is obligatory. Of course, there are certain regions and conditions where having a license is a complete must. For example in the UK, a boat license is required. You will also need a boat safety scheme certificate (BSSC) and boat insurance. Do take note that there are different regulations in different regions. Hence, it may be best to check on them first and then figure out how to plan a route for your big water adventure.
After covering these essential issues, the next thing you would need to do is to select the type of the boat and the ideal day to go out sailing. For the beginners, it would be best to start small and try to stay within a manageable area first not to freak out when you’ll get your first significant tilts. A small 1-2-sails boat will be more responsive and will help to understand the dynamics of sails and wind.
There is also the matter of seasickness. Not all the people may be fine at the open water. It is a condition that a person may not be aware off until they go out onboard of the vessel. It is a serious case that needs to be addressed beforehand although there are some tactics such as taking prescription tablets or ginger biscuits to remedy.
These are the basic things to consider when you want to get the best impressions from your first-time sailing experience. Of course, you’ll get to know more tips and small rules if you’ll decide to get involved deeper into this fun and fantastic activity. But definitely, you’ll have a lot of wonderful memories to share even after the first time!
