A sailing course begins before the dock lines are cast off. Knowing what to bring to a sailing course means you can focus on the feel of the boat, the wind, and the instruction instead of shivering in wet cotton or searching for a dry place to keep your phone. On the BC coast, a bright morning can turn cool, breezy, and wet by lunchtime. Good preparation is not about buying expensive sailing gear. It is about bringing practical layers and a few well-chosen essentials.
What to Bring to a Sailing Course for Changing Conditions
The most useful principle is simple: dress in layers that stay warm when damp and can be added or removed quickly. Conditions on the water are often cooler than conditions ashore, particularly when the boat is moving. Even on a sunny day, wind and spray can make an unprepared sailor uncomfortable.
Start with a moisture-wicking base layer. Synthetic athletic clothing or merino wool works well because it moves perspiration away from your skin and dries more quickly than cotton. Add a warm mid-layer, such as a fleece or lightweight wool sweater. Bring a waterproof, windproof outer jacket, preferably one with a hood and cuffs that can be adjusted.
For your lower half, quick-drying pants are a better choice than jeans. Jeans become heavy and cold when wet, restrict movement, and take a long time to dry. Lightweight hiking pants, sailing pants, or rain pants worn over a warm layer are all sensible options. If the forecast is cool, pack an extra pair of socks. Dry feet can make a remarkable difference to your energy and concentration.
A warm hat should be in your bag even in summer. A baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat is also helpful for sun protection, but secure it with a retaining clip or cord. The wind is very good at collecting hats.
Bring footwear that protects the boat and your footing
Footwear needs to provide grip, protect your toes, and leave non-marking soles on the deck. Dedicated boat shoes are excellent, but they are not required for a beginner course. Clean, closed-toe athletic shoes with light-colored, non-marking soles are usually a fine starting point.
Avoid sandals, flip-flops, high heels, heavy work boots, and shoes with dark soles that can mark the deck. You may be stepping over lines, moving around a cockpit, or helping with docking maneuvers. Secure footing matters more than fashion.
The Small Items That Make a Big Difference
A day on a sailboat involves sun, wind, water, and plenty of hands-on work. Bring sunblock, sunglasses with a strap, and lip balm with sun protection. The reflection from the water increases sun exposure, even when the air feels cool or cloudy.
Use a small waterproof bag or dry bag for your phone, wallet, keys, and any medication. A zippered plastic bag is better than nothing, but a proper dry bag is more dependable around spray, rain, and wet gear. Keep valuables to a minimum. There is no reason to bring expensive jewelry or anything you would be upset to lose overboard.
You may also want a reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated supports good judgment, reduces fatigue, and helps prevent headaches. If your course includes food or refreshments, confirm the arrangements ahead of time rather than assuming. For a live-aboard course, ask specifically what meals, bedding, towels, and galley supplies are provided before you pack.
For most courses, these are the essentials worth having in one bag:
- Waterproof outer jacket and, if needed, waterproof pants
- Moisture-wicking shirt, warm mid-layer, and spare socks
- Closed-toe, non-marking footwear with good grip
- Hat, sunglasses with a retainer, sunblock, and lip balm
- Water bottle, personal medication, and a small dry bag
- Government-issued photo ID and any course paperwork requested by the school
Keep your bag soft-sided if possible. A duffel bag or backpack is easier to stow aboard than a hard suitcase, which takes up valuable space and can be awkward to move around a cabin.
What to Bring to a Sailing Course if You Get Seasick
Seasickness is common, including among experienced boaters. It is not a sign that you are not suited to sailing, and it is easier to manage when you prepare early. If you have ever felt motion sick in a car, on a ferry, or on a ride, plan ahead.
Speak with a pharmacist or physician about an appropriate remedy before the course. Some medications can cause drowsiness, so understand how they affect you before you are responsible for following instruction or handling lines. Acupressure bands and ginger may help some people, but they are not equally effective for everyone.
On board, remain in fresh air, look toward the horizon, stay hydrated, and avoid reading below deck while underway. Do not arrive with an empty stomach, but skip a heavy, greasy meal and limit alcohol the night before. Tell your instructor discreetly if you are concerned. A good instructor has seen it many times and can often suggest a task or position on deck that helps you feel steadier.
Leave These Items Ashore
Overpacking creates clutter, and clutter can become a safety issue on a boat. Bring what you need, but do not treat the vessel like a floating hotel room. Large luggage, loose shopping bags, and unnecessary electronics are best left behind.
Do not bring alcohol for use during training unless the course operator has clearly stated otherwise. Sailing instruction requires attention, sound judgment, and the ability to respond safely to changing conditions. The same applies to recreational drugs.
You also do not need to purchase a life jacket, chart plotter, VHF radio, or a collection of sailing books before a first course unless your school asks you to. Training vessels are equipped with required safety gear and the tools used in the lesson. It is often wiser to learn what suits your needs before investing in gear.
Pack for the Course You Are Actually Taking
A one-day introductory lesson, a Basic Cruising course, and a multi-day live-aboard program have different packing needs. The forecast matters, but course format matters just as much. A navigation course may call for a pencil, eraser, notebook, calculator, and any materials specified in advance. A live-aboard cruising course may require toiletries, sleepwear, a compact flashlight or headlamp, and extra layers for evenings at anchor.
Ask the school for its course-specific packing information, then follow it closely. At Capt. Mac’s School of Seamanship, instruction takes place aboard a custom-built 42-foot yacht, where practical comfort and orderly stowage support serious hands-on learning. Your instructor will supply the safety equipment and sailing tools needed for the program, but personal clothing and comfort items are still your responsibility.
If you wear glasses, bring a retaining strap and, if possible, a spare pair. If you use prescription medication, bring more than you expect to need and keep it accessible, not buried at the bottom of a bag. If weather forecasts call for rain, bring one more dry layer than you think you will use.
Arrive Ready to Learn, Not Ready to Impress
The best sailors are not the ones who arrive in matching technical gear. They are the ones who listen carefully, ask questions, move deliberately, and respect the boat and the people aboard. Wear clothing you can bend, kneel, pull lines, and sit in comfortably. Keep fingernails reasonably short if you will be handling rope, and tie back long hair so it does not interfere with your vision.
Get a good night’s sleep, eat a sensible meal, and arrive early enough to settle in without rushing. Sailing rewards calm attention. When you are warm, dry, hydrated, and properly equipped, you can spend the day learning the skills that matter: sail trim, helm control, docking, navigation, safety routines, and sound decision-making.
Pack thoughtfully, then leave room in your bag for the confidence that comes from a day well spent on the water.