DeutschThe first time on a sailing yacht at sea and spending a few days on the boat is one thing above all: unfamiliar! - And maybe a little scary too. Most rookies definitely have respect and a lot of questions. I have put together a few things that should support making your first steps from the safe mainland, via the narrow gangway, on board a sailboat.
First time sailing?
Sailing for the first time?
The most important questions, tips and tricks!
Will you enjoy sailing and living on board?
To be able to estimate this a bit, I have put together a few questions:
- Have you ever slept in a tent?
- Do you feel comfortable on a camping site?
- Do you like it when the wind blows?
"No" three times? - Then talk to your skipper again!
More food for thought:
- How do you deal with changing weather conditions?
- How much is it a challenge for you to accept things that you cannot change at that very moment?
What is behind these last two questions is, of course, how much weather affects you in your well-being and your drive going outdoors. You know best what type of person you are: do you prefer to stay at home when the weather changes, or do you proceed with your plan to go outside and take good care of your clothes / equipment? The same is true on a boat, were you will find quite sime external conditions that you cannot change: can you find a way to solve the problem in your head / or with yourself?
To go sailing means getting settled in the smallest space and to get by with very little privacy, marinas and anchorages generally offer very simple and mainly functional infrastructure. The main drive of a sailboat is wind, if you don't like air movements, you won't be happy on a sailboat. And finally the thing in your head: you can of course plan, you can prepare, you can practice, but when sailing it is like in life as usual: reality happens while you make other plans.
Here are our recent impressions shared on Instagram:
Boat tax paid?
Seemingly out of nowhere was a small, grey speedboat popped up and it approached cautiously, but determined the five senses of aft. It was clear that we were being watched out of the cab. There was no inscription at the bow of the small boat, but the colour of the painting suggested that it was an official vehicle. Soon after, we had certainty Guardia di Finanza.
We were asked to stop and the three financial policemen went längseits. Very correctly we were told that it was a routine check and I was asked to hand over the boat papers. The Croatian coastal patent was inspected with suspicion and when I showed the Austrian patent, the official expresses his appreciation by a "ah, bene!"
What followed were some questions about the ownership of the boat, the purpose of the trip, the number of people on board, Liegplatz, and where we came from and where we drove. Some sailors already reported in forums and magazines that a confirmed crewlist was required in the course of the new entry and exit regulations. After moving only within the Italian maritime borders, this was not true.
The officials checked all the documents carefully, transferred some data to a list, and asked by radio whether something was against the five senses. A demand surprised me then; one wanted to see the insurance of the Dinghys. Luckily, I was able to explain that our insurance covers the entire ship, including equipment and dinghy. However, I had to show the appropriate position in the insurance documents.
The entire review ran quietly, professionally, and highly correctly. We had no fear, because the full purchase price of the five senses was taxed correctly in Croatia and all the papers are clearly collected and in order. We were able to observe how all sailing yachts around us were also inspected and found such controls perfectly appropriate and gerechtgertigt. Well, because everything worked out well 😉
And away they were again...
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