The Commodore Chronicles

08/09/24 – Clothing essentials for sailing…………..

What to Wear – 10 Essentials for Sailing

Knowing what to wear sailing is essential for a comfortable and safe experience on the water. In When getting ready for a sailing trip, whether a short one, or a longer adventure, function and safety should be your top priority. Being able to move quickly and easily is important, so loose-fitting, stretchy and comfortable clothing is the best option. Being prepared for all weathers and having the right safety equipment will make sure you are equipped for everything the sea can throw at you, so you hopefully get to stay warm and dry!

In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 10 essential items you should never leave behind on any sailing adventure.

1) Life jacket

All sailors know that a life-jacket is vital for your safety at sea. Even if the sea appears calm, things can change quickly, so always make sure you wear your life jacket. Our yachts are fully-compliant with current Coding regulations, so we have enough for all on board, plus we carry spare lifejackets as well.

All our lifejackets are serviced yearly to the manufacturers standards by our highly qualified service technicians who are factory trained and accredited. All our lifejackets are automatically inflated, should you fall into the water which is a great safety feature to have. Our lifejackets also have a spray-hood to stop water splashing your face, and an automatic light fitted to illuminate at night so you can be easily found should you end up in the water, particularly for what to wear sailing.

2) Waterproof trousers

Even if the water looks calm and the weather seems dry, always bring a pair of waterproof trousers with you. If you are wearing non-waterproof trousers and they get wet, the weight of the water can restrict your movement, and also mean you get colder quicker even in summer. If you have loose fitting waterproofs, they can fit comfortably over what you are already wearing, particularly for what to wear sailing.

3) Sailing jacket

While any waterproof jacket can do the trick, we recommend looking for a purpose-built sailing jacket. These are made from specialist materials, engineered to withstand heavy wind and waves over a longer period of time. Lightweight and easy to move around in, a sailing jacket has the perfect balance of warmth, comfort, and durability against the elements. Whilst the current colour trend of black jackets looks great, it does reduce your visibility to rescuers if you end up in the water. So, bright colours are best! Also, make sure your jacket had a stowable hood and reflective patches which will help rescuers find you if you are unfortunate enough to end up in the water.

4) Waterproof shoes or boots

We recommend wearing purpose-built sailing deck shoes or boots on the boat. They are waterproof, and slip resistant, which is essential for when the sea gets choppy, and throws water on deck. Plus, they protect your toes from getting stubbed! In winter, sailing boots are essential, as there is nothing worse than having cold wet feet. Go for one size larger than usual and layer-up with thick socks, and you’ll never have cold feet again!

5) Sunglasses

A good pair of shades is an essential piece of kit for beginners and experienced sailors. With more exposure to sunlight, and strong glares coming off the sea, and white sails and decks, a pair of polarised sunglasses are worth their weight in gold. We tend to avoid the more expensive sailing brands, as sods-law always says you will lose them, and they usually aren’t much different to the cheaper brands you can find online. Don’t forget to fit a retaining strap to them so you won’t lose them.

6) Dry bag

Completely watertight, and made from super-sturdy waterproof materials, a dry bag will make sure your kit, snacks, tech, and other essentials are kept dry in any weather. Investing in a top-quality dry bag will give you a piece of kit that will last for many years. Don’t buy hard-luggage as they aren’t easily stowed on a yacht and can become dangerous if not secured properly when the sea is rough.

7) Jumper or fleece

On any sailing trip, layering your clothes is everything! Bringing a cosy fleece or jumper with you will ensure you are equipped for strong winds and chilly breezes. Wear your jumper or fleece over your T-shirt, or under your sailing jacket for extra protection against cold weather.

8) T-shirt or light long sleeved top

Choosing a good base layer for sailing activities will ensure you are warm and comfortable in any weather condition. There is no need to spend-out on the latest sailing versions, which tend to come with a premium price tag – most sports thermal vests, T-shirts and long sleeve tops are made with moisture-wicking thermal material to help regulate your temperature in both warm and cold weathers at more affordable prices. Stuff made by Under Armour is very good but there are cheaper alternatives if you shop around. The main thing to remember here is that layering is everything. If you get too warm you can always remove a layer.

9) Sailing gloves

On any sailing trip, you will most definitely be pulling ropes, lines and sheets. To avoid the inevitable rope burn, decent sailing gloves will protect your skin and keep your hands warm in colder weathers. Sailing gloves are available both fingerless and fully covered, and in various designs for different times of the year. For winter gloves you can also buy merino wool undergloves to give a bit of thermal protection. Well worth getting!

10) A hat

When spending longer stretches of time on the open water during sunny weather, it’s vital to wear a hat or cap, to protect your head and face from sunburn. Baseball caps are generally a good bet in fair weathers, as they have a broad peak to protect your face and eyes from the sun. There are other brands and designs, like Tilley hats, but the bigger the brim, the more chance it has of getting blown-off in the wind!

In colder weathers, a knitted beanie hat with a thermal lining works wonders. Its well worth bringing 3-4 hats with you on a sailing trip, so if one gets wet you can swap over to another one whilst it dries out. Having a cold, wet head isn’t fun!

Here at Commodore Yachting, we run a range of beginner sailing courses from our marina here in Gosport, combining practical and theoretical learning methods. Click here to find out more.

And as always, keep on sailing!………….

The Commodore Chronicles

About Sailing with Commodore Yachting

Commodore Yachting has been delivering RYA-accredited sailing courses from Gosport Marina on the Solent since 1999. Over the past 25+ years, our qualified instructors have trained thousands of students in the challenging tidal waters of the South Coast, building genuine sailing competence that transfers to any destination worldwide.

The Solent offers one of the UK’s most rewarding sailing environments. Its complex tides, diverse ports of call, and changeable weather conditions create a proper classroom. Navigating the shipping lanes near Portsmouth Harbour, picking up a mooring in Newtown Creek, planning a passage across to the Isle of Wight — every trip teaches lessons you simply cannot learn in calmer, non-tidal waters. Training here means your skills are tested in real conditions, making you a better, more confident sailor wherever you choose to cruise.

We offer courses from RYA Competent Crew through to Yachtmaster Fast Track. Our all-inclusive pricing covers tuition, accommodation on board our Bavaria yachts, all meals (full English breakfast, lunch, dinner), snacks and soft drinks, wet-weather gear and lifejacket hire, all safety equipment, and free marina berthing at Premier Marinas (worth £50–80 a night). Group sizes are capped at 5 students per course, ensuring you get proper one-to-one attention from your instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need previous experience? A: No. RYA Competent Crew is designed for complete beginners. You’ll learn everything on the course — sail handling, deck work, safety procedures, and living aboard a cruising yacht.

Q: What type of yachts do you use? A: We maintain a modern fleet of Bavaria cruising yachts, 36 to 44 feet, fitted with the latest Raymarine navigation electronics and regularly serviced. Each yacht has multiple cabins, a galley, chart table, and full safety equipment including liferaft and EPIRB.

Q: How many students per course? A: Maximum of 5. This gives you plenty of time at the helm and proper individual attention from your RYA-qualified instructor. Some schools pack 8 or more students onto a boat — we keep our groups small for a reason.

Q: What’s included in the price? A: Everything. Tuition, accommodation, all meals, wet-weather gear, lifejackets, safety equipment, certificate, and marina berthing. No hidden extras. Many schools charge extra for food (£20–40/day), accommodation (£30–50/night), and kit hire (£15–25/day) — we don’t. Our prices are genuinely all-inclusive.

Q: Can I do theory courses online? A: Yes. RYA Day Skipper Theory, Coastal Skipper Theory, and Yachtmaster Theory are all available online through Commodore Yachting. Work through them at your own pace and complete the practical course when you’re ready.

Q: What happens after I qualify? A: You can build experience with our Mile Building weekends, charter yachts from our fleet (available to qualified sailors), or progress to the next RYA level. Many of our students return year after year for advanced courses and cruises.

Why the Solent Is the UK’s Best Training Ground

The Solent is widely regarded as the finest sailing training area in the United Kingdom. The stretch of water between mainland England and the Isle of Wight offers everything a sailor needs to develop genuine competence: strong tides that demand careful planning, busy shipping lanes that teach collision avoidance, a wide variety of ports and anchorages that build pilotage skills, and weather patterns that can change from flat calm to a solid Force 6 in a matter of hours.

Sailors who train in the Solent develop skills that transfer anywhere in the world. The tidal planning you learn here prepares you for cruising the Channel Islands, the coast of Brittany, or the deep waters of the Atlantic. The IRPCS knowledge you practise daily in the Solent’s traffic keeps you safe in any shipping lane worldwide. The weather interpretation you master in these changeable conditions makes you a more confident and capable navigator wherever you sail.

Our base at Gosport Marina puts you right in the middle of it all. Within minutes of casting off, you’re sailing in the Solent with Portsmouth Harbour, Spithead, and the approaches to the Isle of Wight all within easy reach. Gosport itself is well served by road and rail, and we recommend familiarising yourself with our joining instructions before your course starts.

Our Fleet and Facilities

Commodore Yachting operates a modern fleet of Bavaria cruising yachts, ranging from 36 to 44 feet in length. Each yacht is fitted with Raymarine chart plotters, autopilot, VHF radio, and full safety equipment including liferaft, fire extinguishers, and EPIRB. Our yachts are serviced annually and undergo rigorous safety inspections. Recent upgrades include new sails from Hyde Sails, new sprayhoods and stack-packs from Tecsew in Lee-on-Solent, and engine upgrades including the latest Volvo Penta D1-30 engines.

Our maintenance team works year-round to keep the fleet in peak condition. All lifejackets are serviced annually to manufacturers’ standards by factory-trained technicians. Our marina berths at Premier Gosport Marina give us direct access to the Solent and include free berthing for our students — a benefit worth £50–80 per night that most other schools don’t offer.

In addition to our yachts, we provide full sets of Henri-Lloyd or similar quality wet-weather gear, Baltic automatic lifejackets with sprayhoods and lights, and all safety equipment free of charge. We also stock the boats with generous provisions — all meals, snacks, and soft drinks are included, so you can focus on sailing rather than worrying about catering.

About the Author

Scott Drinkwater is the IT Manager at Commodore Yachting, one of the South Coast’s leading RYA-accredited training centres. Scott manages the school’s online systems, course booking platform, and digital learning resources, ensuring students have seamless access to training information and services.

For official information on RYA training standards, course content, and certification, visit the Royal Yachting Association website at rya.org.uk.

Get in Touch and What to wear sailing

Ready to start your sailing journey? Contact the Commodore Yachting team on 023 9250 4443 or visit commodore-yachting.com to browse courses and book your place. You can also follow us on social media for the latest news, course availability, and special offers. Our friendly team will help you find the right course for your experience level and sailing goals — whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced skipper looking to take the next step.

About the Author

This guide was written by Tom, RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and owner of Commodore Yachting. With over 15 years of Solent training experience, Tom has taught hundreds of students from complete beginners through to Yachtmaster level. Based at Premier Gosport Marina, our team is dedicated to providing the highest standard of RYA training on the South Coast. For more information and guidance, explore our RNLI.