- \n
- Pack in a soft bag that can be folded. Hard-shell suitcases don't fit in any cabin.<\/li>\n
- You need oilskins, layers and sun protection in every sailing area; only the thickness of the layers changes.<\/li>\n
- On deck you need shoes with a non-slip sole that doesn't leave marks.<\/li>\n
- Whoever is skippering needs their licence on board. For everyone: ID card or passport.<\/li>\n
- Powerbanks in hand luggage only, maximum two per person. An automatic lifejacket may be carried if the airline agrees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Kitbag or suitcase: which bag is suitable for a sailing trip?<\/h2>\n
The right bag is soft and has no rigid frame. After unpacking it can be rolled up and stowed in a corner of the bunk or in a locker.<\/p>\n
A wheeled suitcase or hard-shell case, by contrast, stays bulky whether full or empty. In a forward cabin there's often no room for it, and it's awkward to carry over pontoons, gangways or bathing platforms. A classic kitbag, a sturdy fabric holdall or a large rucksack work better. A fabric that sheds spray is good, because luggage often gets wet when ferrying in the dinghy.<\/p>\n
Add a small waterproof stuff sack, called a drybag in sailing jargon. Phone, wallet and keys go in there when heading ashore in the dinghy.<\/p>\n
Which clothing belongs on the packing list for a sailing trip?<\/h2>\n
Pack according to the layering principle: a layer that wicks sweat outwards, an insulating layer and oilskins over the top against wind and water. That way you can adjust when it gets cooler on the water than ashore.<\/p>\n
![\"Deck](\"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/toernfinder-deck-einer-segelyacht-unter-segeln-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOilskins: jacket and trousers<\/h3>\n
Oilskins are waterproof sailing clothing consisting of jacket and salopettes. On the North Sea and Baltic, in spring and autumn and on longer overnight passages they're indispensable. In summer in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean a lightweight waterproof jacket is often enough. But spray and rain showers occur there too, and after sunset it quickly turns fresh at sea.<\/p>\n
The jacket should have a hood that can be adjusted snugly, and cuffs that seal at the wrists. Make sure it fits over a lifejacket or the lifejacket can be worn over it.<\/p>\n
Clothing according to sailing area and season<\/h3>\n
In cooler sailing areas and outside the high season, your kitbag should include fleece or a woollen jumper, long underwear, a hat, a neck scarf and sailing gloves. Cotton hardly dries on board; synthetic fibres and merino wool are the better choice.<\/p>\n
In warm sailing areas, light, quick-drying shirts and shorts, swimwear and a thin jumper for the evening are enough. For going ashore, casual clothing is sufficient; smart outfits are rarely needed. Because locker space is limited, take fewer items that you can mix and match.<\/p>\n
Sun protection<\/h3>\n
On the water you receive more UV radiation than it feels like. The water surface reflects additional radiation back, and clouds only block part of it. The apparent wind cools the skin, so sunburn is often noticed too late.<\/p>\n
Long-sleeved shirts and a head covering offer the best protection. A cap with a chin strap or a hat with a clip stays on your head even in wind. Add sunglasses with certified UV protection, ideally with a retaining cord, and sunscreen with a high protection factor, which you reapply after swimming.<\/p>\n
Which shoes are allowed on board?<\/h2>\n
On deck you need shoes with non-slip soles that do not leave marks on the deck. Street shoes also bring sand and grit on board.<\/p>\n
Deck shoes or sailing trainers, worn only on board, have proved themselves. In cool sailing areas and in heavy seas, sailing boots make sense to keep your feet dry. For going ashore and the beach, add sandals or bathing shoes. Sailing barefoot is common in warm weather, but on deck with fittings, cleats and wet surfaces it is risky for toes and grip.<\/p>\n
Lifejacket and lifebelt: what is on board, what do you bring?<\/h2>\n
Lifejackets for adults are part of the equipment on many charter yachts, but jackets in children's sizes are not available everywhere. For children, therefore, it is best to bring a properly fitting jacket. If you are joining a trip as crew, ask the provider before the trip which lifejackets are available on board, whether they inflate automatically and whether a lifebelt is built in.<\/p>\n
Many experienced sailors bring their own jacket anyway. The reason: it fits, is adjusted, and you know when it was last serviced. For coastal and offshore sailing, a jacket with 150 Newton buoyancy is recommended; with heavy clothing or for ocean passages, one with 275 Newton. Inflatable jackets inflate via a gas cartridge, either manually or automatically on water contact. Cartridge and mechanism require regular servicing according to the manufacturer's instructions.<\/p>\n
Jackets with a built-in lifebelt are sensible \u2014 a harness at chest height to which you can clip a safety line. The line itself is called a lifeline. An emergency light on the jacket and a spray hood increase safety at night and in heavy seas. Buoyancy classes and accessories are explained in a leaflet on lifesaving equipment provided by the German Sailing Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Which documents do you need on board?<\/h2>\n
For everyone on board: identity card or passport belong in your luggage, even within the Schengen area. Border controls can be reintroduced at any time, and you must be able to identify yourself on request.<\/p>\n
Outside the Schengen area, an identity card is not always sufficient. Some countries require a passport valid for the entire duration of the trip, and some require an electronic travel authorisation in advance, such as the United Kingdom, the USA or Canada. Airlines check the confirmation at check-in.<\/p>\n
Whoever is helming the boat must have their licence with them and produce it on request. On German waters this is required by the Sportbootf\u00fchrerscheinverordnung. Whoever is responsible for the radio on board also needs the appropriate radio certificate; for VHF marine radio, the SRC, the certificate for short-range marine radio.<\/p>\n
Add your health insurance card and documents for travel health insurance. On the reverse of the German health card, the European Health Insurance Card is printed. It is valid in the EU, in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and in North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. With additional travel health insurance, make sure that medically sensible repatriation is included.<\/p>\n
What belongs in your personal travel medical kit?<\/h2>\n
In your personal travel medical kit belong above all the medicines you take regularly, in sufficient quantity and ideally in the original packaging with the package leaflet. A doctor's letter or a copy of the prescription helps if replacements are needed abroad.<\/p>\n
A ship's medical kit does not replace your personal supplies. Useful items are plasters, something for small cuts and abrasions, remedies for sunburn and insect bites, and something for seasickness. Which remedies suit you is best discussed with your doctor, ideally some time before the trip. More on the subject is in the article about Seekrankheit<\/a>. Advice on precautions before travelling abroad is provided by the Foreign Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Technology and power: what is worth taking?<\/h2>\n
On board you usually charge via USB or a 12-volt socket. A 230-volt socket is not available on every yacht and not available all the time.<\/p>\n
A charging cable with a 12-volt adapter, a powerbank and a small multi-port USB charging station save arguments over free sockets. A head torch with red light is practical for night watches and the dark cabin. A waterproof phone case protects your phone in the cockpit. What the boat's electrical system can provide and why hairdryers and straighteners usually do not work is covered in the article Power on board<\/a>.<\/p>\n
What is allowed in hand luggage when you fly to a trip?<\/h2>\n
For sailing equipment on a plane, three points are important: gas cartridges in lifejackets, batteries and knives (as at October 2026). Airlines may have stricter rules of their own. Therefore, check with your airline before the flight on all three points.<\/p>\n
Under the international air transport dangerous goods regulations, you may carry a maximum of two self-inflating lifejackets. Each lifejacket may contain up to two small gas cartridges, plus up to two spare cartridges. The lifejacket must be packed in such a way that it cannot inflate accidentally. The airline must approve carriage. Report the lifejacket when you book.<\/p>\n
Power banks belong exclusively in hand luggage, never in checked baggage. From 27 March 2026, a maximum of two per person is permitted. Up to 100 watt-hours requires no approval; between 100 and 160 watt-hours the airline must approve; larger power banks are prohibited. On board you may not charge power banks, and you should not use them to charge your phone during the flight either.<\/p>\n
Knives and scissors with blades over 6 centimetres are prohibited in hand luggage. Your sailing knife therefore goes in checked baggage. Liquids at German airports may generally be carried in containers up to 100 millilitres in a transparent, resealable bag with a one-litre capacity, one bag per person. Medicines you need during the flight may be carried outside the bag.<\/p>\n
The tick-list for packing your sailing trip<\/h2>\n
This list covers a one-week trip. For cooler sailing areas you add the warming items; for warmer areas you leave them out. Hard-shell suitcases, street shoes for on deck, thick cotton clothing, and hairdryers and straighteners can stay at home.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Soft holdall or kitbag, small drybag<\/li>\n
- Oilskins (jacket and trousers) or lightweight waterproof jacket<\/li>\n
- Fleece or woollen jumper, long underwear, beanie, sailing gloves<\/li>\n
- Quick-drying T-shirts, shorts, one pair of long trousers, swimwear<\/li>\n
- Boat shoes with non-slip, non-marking sole, sandals, sailing boots if required<\/li>\n
- Sun hat with cord, sunglasses with UV protection and retaining strap, sun cream<\/li>\n
- Microfibre towel for beach and shore visits<\/li>\n
- Own lifejacket, if available, and children's lifejackets in the right size<\/li>\n
- Identity card or passport, driving licence and radio certificate, health insurance card<\/li>\n
- Personal medicines in original packaging, doctor's letter, seasickness remedies after consulting a doctor<\/li>\n
- Charging cable with 12-volt adapter, power bank in hand luggage, head torch with red light<\/li>\n
- Cash and card for the shared kitty Bordkasse<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Suitable trips on T\u00f6rnfinder<\/h2>\n
Once the bag is packed, all you need is the boat. On T\u00f6rnfinder you'll find Sailing Trips<\/a> in many sailing areas, from weekend hops to long delivery trips. Anyone wanting to learn on board will find suitable offers under Sail training<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Why shouldn't I take a suitcase on a sailing trip?<\/h3>\n
A hard-shell or wheeled suitcase cannot be folded and barely fits in a cabin. A soft bag can be stowed away small after unpacking.<\/p>\n
Do I have to bring my own lifejacket?<\/h3>\n
Adult lifejackets are standard equipment on many charter yachts; children's lifejackets are not always included. Your own lifejacket is worthwhile if you want to keep an eye on fit and servicing yourself.<\/p>\n
May an automatic lifejacket go on an aircraft?<\/h3>\n
Yes, with the airline's approval: a maximum of two lifejackets per person, each with up to two small gas cartridges and two spare cartridges. Report the lifejacket when you book.<\/p>\n
Which shoes are right on a sailing yacht?<\/h3>\n
Boat shoes or sailing trainers with non-slip sole that leaves no marks and that are worn only on board.<\/p>\n
Do I need a licence as crew?<\/h3>\n
No. The person in command of the boat must hold the licence.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What really belongs in your kit bag on a sailing trip: from oilskins and deck shoes to lifejackets and documents, plus the rules on power banks and gas cartridges in airline luggage, with a tick-off checklist.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":1672041,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_tf_mag_toernhinweis":"mittelmeer","footnotes":""},"categories":[539],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1672092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-charter-reisen","category-539","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1672092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1672092"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1672092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1672830,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1672092\/revisions\/1672830"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1672041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1672092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1672092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toernfinder.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1672092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}