What to wear — 10 essentials for sailing
Knowing what to wear sailing is essential for a comfortable and safe experience on the water. When getting ready for a sailing trip, whether a short day sail 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. Prepare for all weathers and take the right safety equipment, and you will be equipped for everything the sea can throw at you.
In this guide, we have compiled a list of 10 essential items you should never leave behind on any sailing adventure.
1. life jacket
Every sailor knows a life jacket is vital for safety at sea. Even if the sea appears calm, conditions can change quickly, so always wear your life jacket. Our yachts are fully compliant with current Coding regulations, so we carry enough for everyone on board, plus spare life jackets as well.
All our life jackets are serviced yearly to the manufacturer’s standards by our highly qualified, factory-trained service technicians. They are automatically inflated should you fall into the water, a vital safety feature. Each life jacket also includes a spray hood to stop water splashing your face and an automatic light that illuminates at night, making it easy for rescuers to find you.
2. waterproof trousers
Even if the water looks calm and the weather seems dry, always bring a pair of waterproof trousers. If your non-waterproof trousers get wet, the weight of the water restricts your movement and makes you colder much faster, even in summer. Loose-fitting waterproofs fit comfortably over whatever you are already wearing.
3. sailing jacket
While any waterproof jacket can do the job, we recommend a purpose-built sailing jacket. These are made from specialist materials engineered to withstand heavy wind and waves over long periods. Lightweight and easy to move in, a sailing jacket strikes the perfect balance of warmth, comfort, and durability against the elements. While black jackets look great, they reduce your visibility to rescuers if you end up in the water, so bright colours are best. Make sure your jacket has a stowable hood and reflective patches.
4. waterproof shoes or boots
We recommend purpose-built sailing deck shoes or boots on board. They are waterproof and slip-resistant, essential when the sea gets choppy and throws water across the deck. They also protect your toes from getting stubbed. In winter, sailing boots are essential; there is nothing worse than cold, wet feet. Go one size larger than usual and layer up with thick socks.
5. sunglasses
A good pair of sunglasses is essential for beginners and experienced sailors alike. With increased exposure to sunlight, strong glare off the sea, and reflections from white sails and decks, polarised sunglasses are worth their weight in gold. We tend to avoid the most expensive sailing brands, sod’s law says you will lose them, and they are usually not much different from cheaper alternatives. Do not forget a retaining strap so you do not lose them overboard.
6. dry bag
Completely watertight and made from super-sturdy waterproof materials, a dry bag keeps your kit, snacks, tech, and other essentials dry in any weather. Investing in a top-quality dry bag gives you a piece of kit that lasts for many years. Avoid hard luggage, it is not easily stowed on a yacht and can become dangerous if not secured properly in rough seas.
7. jumper or fleece
On any sailing trip, layering is everything. A cosy fleece or jumper ensures you are equipped for strong winds and chilly breezes. Wear it over your T-shirt or under your sailing jacket for extra protection against the cold.
8. t-shirt or light long-sleeved top
Choosing a good base layer keeps you warm and comfortable in any weather. There is no need to spend a fortune on the latest sailing-specific brands, which come with a premium price tag. Most sports thermal vests, T-shirts, and long-sleeved tops are made with moisture-wicking fabric to help regulate your temperature in both warm and cold conditions at more affordable prices. Under Armour is good, but there are cheaper alternatives if you shop around. The key principle is layering, if you get too warm, you can always remove a layer.
9. sailing gloves
On any sailing trip, you will be pulling ropes, lines, and sheets. To avoid rope burn, decent sailing gloves protect your skin and keep your hands warm in colder weather. Sailing gloves are available in fingerless and full-finger designs for different seasons. For winter, merino wool under-gloves add thermal protection. Well worth getting.
10. a hat
When spending long stretches on the water in sunny weather, wear a hat or cap to protect your head and face from sunburn. Baseball caps are a good bet in fair weather, with a broad peak to shade your face and eyes from the sun. Tilley hats and other wide-brimmed designs work too, but the bigger the brim, the more chance it has of blowing off in the wind.
In colder weather, a knitted beanie hat with a thermal lining works wonders. Bring three or four hats on a sailing trip so you can swap to a dry one if one gets wet. A cold, wet head is no fun at all.
Here at Commodore Yachting, we run a range of beginner sailing courses from our marina in Gosport, combining practical and theoretical learning. Whether you are looking to start with RYA Competent Crew, progress to Day Skipper, or work towards Yachtmaster, we have a course for you. Click here to find out more.
And as always, keep on sailing!
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 life jacket hire, all safety equipment, and free marina berthing at Premier Marinas (worth £50–80 a night). Group sizes are capped at five 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 will 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 five. This gives you plenty of time at the helm and proper individual attention from your RYA-qualified instructor. Some schools pack eight or more students onto a boat, we keep our groups small for a reason.
Q: What is included in the price? A: Everything. Tuition, accommodation, all meals, wet-weather gear, life jackets, 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 do not. 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 are 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 are 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 the latest Volvo Penta D1-30 engines.
Our maintenance team works year-round to keep the fleet in peak condition. All life jackets 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 do not offer.
In addition to our yachts, we provide full sets of Henri-Lloyd or similar quality wet-weather gear, Baltic automatic life jackets 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
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 safety advice.
