Sailing is one of the best ways to explore multiple destinations across the globe. From the sun kissed shores of the Caribbean, to the tranquil waters of the Southern Mediterranean, sailing offers the best of both worlds where you can explore by day and enjoy the exclusivity of your own private deck by night.
Sailing may seem like something that’s tricky to get into or a sport where you need a lot of money, but it’s in fact very accessible to a wide range of people and can be easier to pick up than you think. Once you’ve mastered the basics that will keep you safe on the open sea, you’ll be cruising around your favorite destinations in no time.
Below, we’ve put together the essentials you need to know when planning your first sailing trip.
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What is the best type of Yacht for a beginner?
Hiring a yacht has never been easier in which there’s a range of ports and harbors across the world where you can take a charter. Sites like BorrowaBoat offer one of the most convenient ways to find and book your perfect yacht for your adventure, with the option of skippers too if you’re not yet ready to take the plunge (we hope not a literal plunge!).
First things first, it’s essential to know which type of boat you would need. This all comes down to the type of trip you’re embarking on, the locations you’ll be, the time of year and your level of experience. Sounds like a lot to comprehend right? Not to panic as we have some top recommendations for the best yachts for beginners below.
Red Fox 200E
Source: asa.com
The Red Fox 200E is one of the best beginner to intermediate yachts going. Not only does it offer a superior sailing experience for a smaller yacht but it also have a pretty luxurious interior. What’s more it’s a highly economic option and is low maintenance, meaning there will be no need to take time out of your vacation to fix up your yacht.
Sadler 32
The Sadler 32 is a highly economical yacht and where it lacks in luxurious and spacious interiors, it makes up for in performance and stability. Designed by David Salder in the 1970’s, this design has a greater beam and freeboard which offers a sufficient amount of room and makes for a dry ride for the driver.
If you’re looking for the most economical and family friendly yacht, this one is one of the best options.
BENETEAU FIRST 27.7
Thanks to the deep draught and heavy bulb at the base, this yacht offers the most stability, as well as being incredibly safe and low maintenance too. It’s ideal for family trips as there’s enough space on board for long weekends or trips further afield.
Double digit speeds are possible when travelling downwind and while it has a larger underwater profile than most cruising yachts, it travels at a steady speed that will keep beginner sailors most comfortable.
The best destinations for a first time yachting adventure
Source: cnn.com
As a first time sailor, your destination and the timing of your trip are everything. If you don;t have much sailing experience, it’s best to opt for a place with more predictable and calmer seas over more adventurous locations. Below are some of the best places for a first time sailing trip.
British Virgin Islands
With steady trade winds and a sheltered island channel, the British Virgin Islands are ideal for a first time sail adventure. With more than 40 islands to anchor up on too, there’s an endless amount of exploring to be done in one of the planet’s most friendly places to sail.
Croatia
Located a little closer to home, Croatia is sometimes referred to as ‘ the new Riviera’. With year round moderate weather and gloriously sunny days in the summer, Croatia offers some of the calmest waters, miles of sandy beaches, vast green slopes and a variety of historic towns to stop off and explore along the coast.
French Polynesia
If you’re up for adventuring a little further afield, the French Polynesia offers crystal clear waters, some of the friendliest people on the planet and waters that couldn’t be more ideal for first time sailors. Be sure to look out for the volcanic peaks, breathtaking waterfalls, and exotic marine life that grace the waters of the South Pacific.
There’s a range of islands to explore and an area around the size of western Europe to set sail on. Just be sure to take your compass!
Overall, while sailing may seem like an exclusive activity for the wealthy or very sporty – it’s much easier than you think to get into. A sailing holiday can be tailored to suit any family, group of friends or solo traveler, no matter how experienced you may be.
With the right knowledge on what to look out for, a basic understanding of how to sail and the safety precautions to take and the right destination planned, you’ll be well on your way towards your perfect first sailing adventure.
Tips that could help you when you sail for the first time
Source: sailingstars.eu
In general, starting with a sailing activity is not as challenging and difficult as it may seem. In fact, when you get ready to head out to the water and actually start sailing, you will love the feeling. This can actually be a fun and relaxing hobby for you to enjoy in your free time. However, before you start with anything new, it is necessary to gather information about it. We prepared a list of important beginner sailing trips that will enable you to have safe and successful sailing.
Pick a day with promising conditions and dress appropriately
Whenever you decide you want to sail, you need to make sure that conditions are good. You want to sail on a day where there is no strong wind and rain. It would be best to choose a sunny day. Also, you need to pay attention to what are you going to wear since it is always cooler out on the water than it is on the shore. You do not want to be cold when you are on the open water.
Choose calm, uncrowded waters
For your first sailing activities, you should choose calm waters that are not crowded. Only in those conditions, you can have a chance to master sailing basics in peace and learn how to sail. More precisely, no one will distract you and you can focus. Even if you make the mistake you won’t need to think about whether it is going to affect someone else and will you cause some accident.
Follow sailing basics for safety
Sailing needs to be safe, so you need to make sure to pay attention to that trough the whole time. There are some specific basics sailing tips for safe boating. For instance, some of these tips include always telling someone you are going on sailing, always bringing a floatation device just in case, and knowing how to swim in case of emergencies.
Have the right boat
Above, we mentioned some of the yachts that you can choose for your sailings. However, keep in mind that having the right one is the crucial factor in achieving successful sailing. You need to find the one that suits you, your performances and skills the best.
Become familiar with sail control
Source: yachtingworld.com
In general, you probably heard that the best sailors are people who are able to adjust sail settings properly. In that way, they can take advantage of different weather conditions, wind, and water types. Basically, your sailing should be flat when the wind is very light or very strong. If the wind is moderated, your sailing should be full.
Respect the boom
Statistics show that most sailing injures come from situations where people are not aware of the moment when the boom is going to swing. Therefore, if you want to avoid getting injured by a boom or even getting knocked in the water, you need to remember to be conscious every second. In that way, you and your sailing partners will be protected.
Go with someone who knows what they’re doing
If you are not really ready to go on a first sailing on your own, you can always find an instructor. A person who is experienced and trained to be a teacher will help you master your sailing skills. Also, you will feel much safer and have the opportunity to learn new things. However, keep in mind that practice is a goal to make something perfect. Therefore, do not put huge pressure on yourself at the beginning. Give yourself time and you will see how you are becoming better and better with every sailing.
