1. Endless Possibilities
Sailboats can be enjoyed leisurely on quiet lakes as well as on the ocean for exciting trips. The only requirements for a sailboat are movements in the wind and a bottom deep enough for the keel to move without hitting bottom. While they claim to be all about the tranquility of the water, sailors get into technical gadgets as much as their powerboat contemporaries. Gear such as depth finders, wind analysis meters and chart plotting devices fill the navigation tables of many sailors. Electric winches and mechanical furling stations save the lazy sailor muscle strain. Also the jewelry, watches and clothing lines offer endless opportunities for sailors to incorporate their sport into their personalities. On a larger sailboat, much of the technical and accessory gear remains on the boat all the time. No special arrangements are made for short voyages. Smaller boats don't have room to store everything so you'll want to consider your course and who's on board when you prepare for a short cruise in a daysailer or smaller sailboat.
2. Take Just Enough Supplies
Plot your course so you can figure out how long you will be out on the water. You'll need to bring enough food and water for you and your crew for the length of the trip. Getting just the right amount of food and beverages is tricky because you don't want to add too much extra weight to the boat and yet you don't want go hungry or thirsty. If you are staying close to shore for the short cruise, then you can always pull in somewhere and restock your cooler if you run out, which is preferable to having too much food aboard.
3. Check the Weather
Get a good weather forecast even for short trips so that you can bring the right gear and enjoy the trip no matter if it rains or the sun beats down all day. Bring plenty of sunscreen no matter what the forecast because the sun will reflect off the water and double the intensity of the UVA light. Sunglasses, with ropes to hang them around your head to keep you from losing them overboard, are also an important piece of must-have gear.
4. Bring a Change of Clothing
Always bring at least one change of clothes when you go sailing, even if it's just for few hours. You never know when the wind will kick up and you have to double up on your covering. Also, you always want to be prepared for some fabulous swimming opportunities. Falling overboard is much more common on sailboats than on power boats, so it's best to be safe than sorry for a short trip.
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