Getting up close and personal with the elements means dressing for the occasion correctly.

A friend who is an avid sailor has invited you out for a day at sea, and of course, you say yes! While seemingly daunting, sailing is actually not that scary, especially if the weather is fine and predictable. On boats around 40 feet, getting wet is rare but on boats of around 20 feet, a soaking is guaranteed. What you wear will absolutely determine your comfort on board. For this article, we will talk about sailing on vessels that are more pleasure than sport, which are sailboats around 40 feet.

What to wear on a sailing yacht.

In a nutshell.
While motorboating will also occasionally result in a drenching, the chances are higher on sailboats because you, yes even a guest, are more involved in the handling of the boat. Thus, it’s important to dress for dry and hot weather, but also for an unpredictable change in weather. To that end, all materials worn should be both breathable and quick drying. The former means you aren’t overheating under the sun, and the latter means you don’t stay wet for very long. Clothing also have sun protection built into them these days, and these are definitely worth checking out as well.

Shorts.
Shorts are your best friend on board, especially in tropical weather. If you’re upwind, you will get the occasional sea spray, so get one made of technical materials. Shorts made with these are also cooler, and so are essential for hot, sticky days at sea. The more pockets, the better, as you can use it to hold tools and items without wearing more things like a fanny pack. If the weather is colder where you’re from, simply substitute shorts with longer pants that have similar attributes.

Technical shirts.
Winches will be winched, lines will be pulled – that’s just part of sailing and so sweating is natural. Tech shirts that wick away sweat are great to wear on board, and long sleeves help prevent sun burn. A half-zip design is also a great feature to have to regulate the level of ventilation you need.

Non-streaking shoes.
The rule of thumb is to always ask the owner if they are ok with having shoes on board. If it is alright, then only wear shoes with rubber soles that won’t leave marks, aka non-streaking shoes. Boat shoes are named thusly for a reason – they are perfect to wear on a boat as they are grippy and no decking will be harmed. Flip flops and sandals are accidents waiting to happen, and any shoe with metal hardware should also be avoided as they can damage the boat.

Sailing gloves.
When sailing, often you will hold ropes, and it is rare to cleat them off when it is windy. Rope burn is an experience that you should never experience. While there are special sailing gloves available, we find weightlifting gloves to perform adequately as well. They should have a good, grippy material on the palm surface while leaving the fingers free for mobility that is needed for knotting and other delicate work.

Head protection.
Any hat or cap made from a breathable material is essential on board. They must have a leash as well, as a good gust of wind, which are plentiful at sea, will turn your head protection into water pollution.

Polarized sunglasses. There are a lot of misinformation around polarized sunglasses, but they are essential around water. The sun seems much stronger at sea because of all the water around the boat reflecting light, so eye protection is a good idea. The treatment on the sunglasses (hence the term polarized) will keep your eyes comfortable as you go about your day, and they should also be kept on a leash so they don’t go overboard.

Hi-tech hoodies.
Though the weather is forecasting nothing but sun and wind, your pack should include a jacket or a hoodie, as stronger winds out on the water can cause temperatures to drop by 10 to 20 degrees. Outerwear made from hi-tech materials like polyester is waterproof, windproof, and breathable at the same time, but even one made from cotton or fleece would suffice.

Foul weather gear.
If you are planning to stay out longer, then is may be wise to pack gear for bad weather. It is also wise to take weather forecasts with a pinch of salt – if there is a 25% chance for heavy rain, then you should absolutely prepare for it, or head out another day. For weather like these, get a pair of outerwear (a jacket and bib pants) with two layers. The outer layer should be waterproof and windproof, and it should have an inner layer that is breathable to keep the wearer comfortable. Together, they should also have a lot of pockets – there’s no such thing as too many pockets, really.

What else should you bring?

A gear bag.
Items like gloves, sun screen, personal documents, cash, outerwear and even a spare change of clothes can be packed here easily. The bag should not be too big as space is a commodity on a yacht, and just like shoes, eschew from any kind of hardware that can scratch the boat. Ideally, the bag should be waterproof as well.

Sun screen.
A day out at sea should not cause you a week of pain, or worse. Get sun screen with a broad protection spectrum (for both UVA and UVB) that is SPF 30 or more. It should be water resistant and eco-friendly, without ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate that will damage coral reefs.

Money.
Whether cash or card, bring some money along. Sailboats can get very close to the shore, and you can get some items you need from seaside stalls. You can also offer to chip in for gas as a thank you to your host. They may not accept, but it will certainly be appreciated and you will certainly be invited back.

Liquids.
There is usually sufficient water on board, but bring a bottle that is filled anyway from home. They can be refilled when needed. If the trip is purely for pleasure, then bring something more exciting to imbibe on board – just do so responsibly.

No surprise guests.
Never, ever, bring someone uninvited. Boats have strict maximum capacities and going over will result in a fine. Even if the yacht can fit the extra, it is just bad manners and the host has every right to leave both offending persons on land. Always ask first, and take the lack of acquiescence graciously.

Summary.

Sailing is a lot of fun. There is a level of engagement with the vessel that is deeper, and there’s never a lull in the conversation, as there is just so much to talk about when it comes to techniques and experiences. We have a comprehensive list of sailboats from Jeanneau here too, should you be interested to see some of the best sailing vessels available today.