Sailing with beginners? Here's how to prepare them

Let’s face it — not every skipper gets lucky with a crew full of seasoned sea dogs. In most cases, there’s at least one person on board who isn’t that into sailing — or has never set foot on a boat before. And even returning crew members can forget what it’s really like out there. So, what’s the best way to prepare them and avoid any unwelcome surprises?

If your crew is made up of people who don’t know each other, it’s a great idea to arrange a pre-cruise meeting. This gives everyone a chance to ask questions, break the ice, and suss out any potential personality clashes. It may sound trivial — but a feuding couple, ex-partners, or two strong egos battling for attention can make life onboard miserable for everyone.

That meeting is also the perfect time to ask each crew member what they’re expecting from the sailing trip. Do they want to relax and sunbathe? Sail hard every day? Explore restaurants? Go hiking or diving? If everyone’s expectations are wildly different, someone’s going to be disappointed — and balancing those interests can be tricky.

Remind your crew that sailing often requires compromise. Decisions are usually made as a group — and not every wish can be fulfilled.

Talk to your crew about how involved they want to be. Are they curious about sailing? Do they want to help with manoeuvres or learn how to handle the boat? Knowing this helps you plan and gives you a sense of how many hands you’ll be able to count on during the trip.

First-timers often don’t know what a skipper actually does. So it’s worth explaining — clearly — what your responsibilities and authority are. That way, if you need to take charge in a crisis, they’ll understand why. After all, their safety depends on your decisions.

You don’t need a full medical history, but it’s important to know if someone has diabetes, epilepsy, or another serious condition that could be dangerous at sea. Ask them to tell you where they’ll keep their medication, so the crew knows how to access it in an emergency.

Boat storage is tight. Very tight. Large, rigid suitcases have nowhere to go and will be in the way for the entire trip. Tell your crew to bring a soft, collapsible sports bag that can be stowed under the bed or in a cupboard once unpacked.

Probably the most common question your future crew will ask is: “What should I pack — and how much?”

The answer depends on the season and sailing location. In spring and autumn, warm clothing and a hat are a must. In summer, expect the focus to shift to swimwear, light layers, and a cap. A helpful tip from seasoned skippers: prepare a packing checklist for your crew. It saves time, answers common questions, and helps everyone arrive well-prepared.

One thing to really emphasise before departure: bring shoes with non-marking soles. They’re essential for everyone — sailor or not — as dark soles can stain and damage the deck.

If you’re a regular reader of our magazine, you’ve probably seen this topic before — “The toilet again?” Yes, again. And for good reason. It’s one of the most important things to explain to your crew before setting sail.

Boat toilets are not like home toilets. On most yachts, toilet paper does not go in the bowl. It must be thrown into the bin provided. The plumbing on boats uses narrow pipes, and waste is usually discharged into the sea — so flushing paper can easily lead to a clog.

Even on modern boats fitted with macerators (shredders), we strongly advise against flushing paper. And that goes double for wet wipes or sanitary products — which should never go down the toilet.

Why is this so serious? Because clogged toilets aren’t just unpleasant — they’re usually not covered by insurance. So a simple mistake could turn into a very expensive problem.

First-timers often have a completely wrong idea of what a boat looks and feels like inside. A 50-foot monohull and a 50-foot catamaran offer vastly different levels of comfort. Help them picture it realistically — share a video or our article what it looks like on board to set expectations.

There are plenty of sailing myths floating around — some true, some wildly exaggerated. Your job as skipper is to clear things up so your crew isn’t nervous or misinformed.

Many newcomers are scared of getting seasick. Ask them how they handle long car or bus rides to gauge their sensitivity. Then reassure them: most people don’t get sick, and when they do, it’s usually mild and short-lived. Still, recommend travel sickness tablets or gum like Kinedryl, Torecan, or Travel-gum if they’re worried.

It may sound ironic, but fire is a real risk at sea — and boat fires do happen. Before setting off, show your crew where the fire extinguishers and gas shut-offs are.

Some newcomers worry they’ll feel claustrophobic in the boat’s interior. Reassure them — it’s not some dark, cramped hole where they’ll be crawling into bed. While cabins on modern charter boats are smaller than a typical bedroom, they’re designed to be functional, well-lit, and comfortable. That said, if someone genuinely suffers from serious claustrophobia, they should let you know in advance so you can discuss a backup plan together — just in case.

Far more common, though, is what people call cabin fever — when everyone starts getting on each other’s nerves after a few days in close quarters. You can usually prevent this by thinking ahead: plan regular walks ashore, rotate small groups for activities, or create a bit of space and quiet time where possible. A few simple measures can make all the difference to the onboard atmosphere.

Early in the planning process, make sure everyone knows how much they’ll need to budget for the trip. Being upfront about costs helps avoid awkward conversations later — and prevents any confusion over who’s paying for what. You can share your own budget from previous trips or direct your crew to our guides — How much does a boat holiday cost? and Weekly yacht charter costs: how much can you expect to pay?

How much cash you need depends on where you’re sailing — but as a general rule, we always recommend that each crew member brings enough cash to last the entire week.

In many places, especially when buying fresh fish from local fishermen, shopping at markets, or visiting small taverns in remote bays, card or mobile payments simply aren’t accepted. Having cash on hand ensures you won’t miss out — or end up stuck without dinner.

It’s not uncommon for both first-timers and experienced sailors to treat a sailing trip like one long party. As skipper, it’s important to set clear expectations early on — especially when it comes to alcohol and smoking.

Decide in advance how much drinking is acceptable and where smoking is allowed. And it should go without saying: no smoking inside the boat under any circumstances. A few simple ground rules can go a long way in keeping everyone safe and comfortable onboard.