First Time on a Sailboat? Captain’s Tips for a Smooth Experience
First Time on a Sailboat? Captain’s Tips for a Smooth Experience
A day out at sea, a sunset at anchor, the wind filling the sails and the scent of salt in the air — a sailing trip is an experience you won’t forget.
But if you’ve never been on a sailboat before, some questions are bound to come up:
What should I bring? What should I wear? What’s best to eat before boarding?
Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy your time at sea without stress or last-minute packing panic.
🧭 What to Wear for a Day Trip
The key word is comfort. For a half or full-day sailing excursion in summer, here’s all you really need:
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Sunglasses (preferably with a strap)
- High SPF sunscreen
- Hat with a brim or visor
- A light windbreaker (wind can pick up quickly!)
Most people go barefoot on board, but if you prefer to wear shoes, bring clean deck shoes or sneakers with light-colored soles.
Strictly no high heels or dark/dirty soles that might leave marks on deck.
Sailing in spring or late summer? Dress in layers: onion-style clothing works best, plus a good windproof jacket.
🍽️ What to Eat Before Sailing
If you’re worried about seasickness, start with a light and dry breakfast. We recommend:
- Dry toast or crackers
- Plain cookies or rusks
- Light fruit (like apples or bananas)
Avoid milk and coffee, especially if you’re not used to being at sea — they can be harder to digest.
🌊 What If You Get Seasick?
Most people get used to the movement of the boat pretty quickly. But if it’s your first time, you might want to be prepared:
- Bring Xamamina, Dramamine, or Scopoderm patches (apply at least 2 hours before boarding).
- Anti-nausea wristbands can also help for mild cases.
If you start to feel unwell, stay outside, breathe fresh air, and keep your eyes on the horizon. It really works!
🧳 What to Pack for a Sailing Holiday
Whether it’s a weekend or a full week at sea, the best advice is: pack light.
- Use soft bags or foldable backpacks. Hard suitcases are not allowed — they take up too much space and are impossible to store.
- Bring casual, comfortable clothes for day and evening.
- Always pack a warm layer or sweatshirt — it can get chilly at night.
- Travel-sized toiletries and your own towel (we don’t provide them).
- A camera or smartphone for those unforgettable moments.
- A USB stick if you’d like to copy photos from our onboard computer.
🧺 Bed linen is included (sheets, pillowcases, blankets), but towels are not.
💡 We have a small hairdryer on board, usable only when docked and connected to shore power. While sailing, our 220V inverter has a 500W limit — so leave your high-powered hairdryer at home!
📍 Final Tips
- Bring an open mind and a sense of adventure — you’re here to enjoy nature at its best.
- Respect the safety rules and the skipper’s instructions.
- Trust the crew — we’ll take care of everything else!
Got questions about what to pack or how to prepare? Check out our website www.rotteparallele.it or send us a message.
And for a taste of the onboard vibe, follow us on Instagram: @rotteparallele
See you at sea!
Fair winds from the Rotte Parallele crew ⚓
Enjoy a day of sea, relaxation, and the beauty of Taranto aboard our catamaran. Contact us for information and reservations!
For more details, email us at info@rotteparallele.it or call us at +39 351 5185410.
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