I'm an absolute beginner - can I take part anyway?

Yes. There will be a skipper on every yacht that is supported by a first mate. They will show you everything you need to know right aboard and during the cruise. First to come: the safety instructions (similar to what you know from airplanes). And as soon as everybody knows where the oxygen masks will fall out of the ceiling we are ready for sailing ;-).

Only requirement to take part is: you must be able to swim at least 15 minutes.

What about falling sea sick?

No worry about that at all. There is a blog-post about this issue that will tell you how to fall sea sick and how not to. This actually is just a question of know-how. The chances are higher that you will fall sick on X-Mas because of all the cakes and cookies and foodstuff you might enjoy these days. Learn more.

What is the course of action?

The journey to the port of shipping is organized by yourself. Rendezvous is on the first day, early afternoon for welcome lunch and registration.

The first late afternoon the skippers will take over the yachts. During this time the crews can get the supplies.

When supplies, baggage and crew are stored on board and the safety instructions are given, it will be time to do a short testing cruise. The real sailing starts on the second day.

Where we are heading to and what places of interest are waiting for us that is a question of weather... we will decide very spontaneous on a day to day base. However, the emphasis is put on sailing although there will be one or two shore leaves.

On the eve of the last day we will be back in our port of shipping, packing and getting the yachts ready for take-over on the last day. After breakfast on the last day it will be time to say goodbye, see you next year!

Do I need special clothes?

All paricipants get a packing list as a suggestion what to bring with you.

In any case, to dress yourself in layers which you can vary as weather is changing is the best practice.

The most important layer is the tarp. That can be your tarp you have from biking and doesn't need to be a special sailing tarp. You also need wellingtons. Both, tarp and wellingtons are good for sailing, if you stay dry underneath when taking a 10 minute shower.

You do not need to have special sailing shoes. Your sport shoes will be ok. BUT: they are supposed to have a natural colored or a white sole. Black soles or other colors tend to leave stripes on deck of the yacht and therefore they are not adequate for sailing. The shoes as well as the wellingtons should keep you grounded on both, dry and wet decks.

If you need a tarp or such things - don't buy right away. We will offer a centralized buying. This way we get big rebates and a tarp set (trousers and coat together) is starting at only 80 EUR.

Can kids come with us?

Sailing is also fine for kids! They get used to the yacht's movements even faster than grownups.

If they cannot swim for 15-30 minutes on their own without the help of floatation devices, they have to wear lifevests all the time, though. We need to know it in advance of course to check if lifevests for the age and size of your kids are available at the charter base.

Best is to get back to us directly. Who knows, maybe one of the yachts even gets a family yacht?

What about communications aboard?

We will be in coastal areas all the time so you will be able to use your mobile and your computer with UTMS card or the like if you want. Some harbours might have hotspots. If it is a good idea to bring your computer with you aboard? I don't know.

Electricity aboard is limited. During sailing we have a 12V-board-net but the power is needed for motor, navigation and lights. So electricity (220V) is only available in some ports.