Beginner's Guide

What should I bring?

There is an old saying, that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!

Here is a guide to what is available on Ariel and Prospero and what to bring. There is limited storage on the boats so please bring clothes in a soft overnight bag rather than a suitcase or framed rucksack. 

Wet Weather Gear - Waterproofs ('Oilies')

Outer wet weather gear, tops and bottoms, are available on Ariel and Prospero in a variety of sizes should conditions dictate. The 'oilies' are worn over your normal clothes.  Of course, you are welcome to bring your own waterproof gear if you have it. 

Lifejackets

Lifejackets are available on Ariel and Prospero in a variety of sizes and should normally be worn at all times when sailing and in the dinghy. Of course, you are welcome to bring your own lifejacket if you have one.

Keeping Warm

Sailing on the sea feels colder than being on the land, so be prepared with warm clothing.  As well as wet weather gear, multi layering is the best approach as layers can be added or removed depending on conditions.  You should bring layers to wear under the wet weather gear such as a fleece, thermals and jacket, see below.   Try to use breathable, non-absorbent fabrics that are flexible and dry quickly. As a rule of thumb, use:

• Base layer: thermal tops and leggings,  modern polar type base layers and, for when it's warmer, t-shirts
• Mid Layer: mixed fabric Jumper or fleece
• Outer layer: wet weather gear or waterproofs

Waterproof or water-repellent trousers are great. Jeans are not generally recommended as they tend to absorb water and are not very flexible. Try to avoid anything with too many studs or exposed zippers as these can scratch the yacht, catch on ropes and let in water. Shorts are fine in hot weather. Remember, you might get wet whilst out sailing, so bring spare clothing for the next days sailing.

Footwear

Always wear footwear on deck as toes are very vulnerable!  Deck shoes, sailing boots or white soled trainers must be worn as they don't mark the deck. Ideally wear footwear with a good grip to avoid slipping.  Bare feet, flip flops, or high heels will not be allowed. In cold weather remember the thick socks.

Headwear

Wear a beanie / woolly hat in cold weather and a cap in hot, but make sure it is fastened into your other clothing because the wind will take it!

Eyewear

Sunglasses are also very important if you can wear them.  But again make sure they are fastened securely. 

Gloves

Although not essential, you will be pulling ropes, so if you feel your hands need some form of protection, then, consider using gloves. Sailing gloves come in a variety of styles, from short fingered gloves to the thick insulated gloves of offshore sailors. Woollen gloves are not recommended. 

Swimwear

There are warm days, so bring your swim wear if the forecast is really good!

Sleeping bag

For trips involving overnight stay, you'll need to bring your own sleeping bag. There are a couple of sleeping bags on board Ariel.  You are welcome to use these but let the skipper know beforehand.  You will need to use a sheet liner in Ariel's sleeping bags.  Small cushions are available on Ariel, so bring a pillowcase to use them.  You are welcome to bring your own pillow.

Toiletries

Toiletries, towel to use on the boat and when visiting the marina showers, and any medication you may be taking. Bringing sun tan cream is a good idea even if the forecast isn't sunny. Sanitary bins are provided in the heads (toilets) on Ariel. Only bodily waste and minimal amounts of toilet paper should be put down the heads.  Unblocking toilets is a messy job!

Electrical Items

When Ariel is moored in a marina and plugged into the electricity ashore, there are a number of electrical sockets to charge phones or other devices.  At other times, it's possible to charge devices on USB charging points.  So bring a cable for your devices.  Prospero only has the facility to charge devices at the chart table controls.  This is through a car charging point. High wattage items like hairdryers should only be used ashore, not on the yachts.

Seasickness Remedies

You may know if you are likely to suffer with seasickness, or you may not know until you try sailing.  Seasickness should not deter you from sailing.  There are many different seasickness tablets, patches and pressure bands you can use to alleviate seasickness.  Often the first indicator you will get of seasickness, is feeling cold.  So, those warm clothes are essential.  If you do feel seasick, or nauseous, let your skipper or mate know so we can help you deal with it better.

What about food?

Skippers will make arrangements for provisioning the boat for each trip at the beginning of the weekend/cruise, as well as clearing the boat of all food, at the end of the trip. Often crew members may volunteer to take on the provisioning - it doesn't need to be the skipper.  It's essential to let the person, doing the provisioning, know, in good time before the trip, if you have any dietary requirements or special requests for favourite food or drinks. We never turn down offers to make a meal or bake a cake to bring and share.  Once on board, do feel free to help yourself to snacks and drinks whenever you want.  Just check you aren't using ingredients for the evening meal.  There is a fridge on board Ariel and a cool box on Prospero.  Food will stay cool but not as cool as your fridge at home.  If bringing a pre-cooked meal, it's great if these can be frozen.  Crew are encouraged to help out with cooking and making drinks so feel free to volunteer.

Usually breakfasts and lunches are taken on board and then the evening meal can either be cooked on board or crew can eat ashore in a pub or restaurant at the end of a long day.

The cost of provisioning is split between the crew at the end of the trip.  

Drinking alcohol is allowed when not sailing as long as the skipper thinks it is safe to do so.

What about insurance?

Please note that personal accident insurance cover is not included, neither is 'travel insurance' nor insurance for personal belongings nor any liabilities to third parties. It is recommended that club members and regular sailors arrange insurance themselves if they don't already have it. 

What if I can't swim?

You don't have to be able to swim. However, if you can't then tell the skipper and they will see that you wear a lifejacket when necessary.

How do I get to the boats?

The boats are moored on an outer pontoon at the edge of the Elephant Boatyard in Bursledon.

You can get to the boatyard by car or train and the address is: Lands End Road, Bursledon, Southampton SO31 8DN

Maps may be found on our contact page here.

By car

Access to the boat yard is down a slope off of Lands End Road just before the Jolly Sailor public house.  If using a SAT nav the post code is SO31 8DN.  There is some limited car parking in the Elephant Boatyard.  If you are on a trip during the week, then check, with the office, you are OK to leave your car there.  Otherwise you can park on the roads above the slope to the Elephant Boatyard.  If travelling from London, it's often possible to arrange lifts with other members of the crew. 

By train

You will probably need to take a train to Southampton Central or Portsmouth and then change onto the local line to reach o to Bursledon station. Exit Bursledon station and turn left into the station car park. At the far end of the car park, on the right hand side, there is a track leading up and over the railway tracks. At the top of the track, follow the road around to the left  and look out for the entrance to Elephant Boatyard on the left hand side of the road (before the Jolly Sailor pub sign).  It's no more than a 10 minute walk from the station!  If some of your crew mates are driving to the boatyard, it's often possible to share lifts from Southampton Airport Parkway station (avoiding the need to change onto the local train line).