#milnasailing

Sailing Course Packing List: 8 Brilliant Must-Have Items to Perfect Your Course

Sailing Course Packing List... The excitement of booking an RYA course in Milna, Croatia is often followed by a very practical question: "What on earth do I put in my bag?" Packing for a week at sea is a delicate balancing act. You need to be prepared for the elements, yet you are living in a space where "storage" is a luxury. Unlike a hotel room, a yacht cabin requires you to be efficient, organised, and minimalist.

Creating the perfect sailing course packing list ensures you stay comfortable, dry, and focused on your training rather than nursing a sunburn or shivering on a night passage. Whether you are heading out for Competent Crew or your Yachtmaster prep, here are the eight essential items that should be at the top of your kit bag.

1. A Soft-Sided Bag (No Hard Suitcases!)

This is the "Golden Rule" of any sailing course packing list. Hard-shell suitcases are impossible to store on a yacht. They don't bend, they don't fold, and they take up valuable cabin space.

- The Choice: Use a medium-sized duffle bag or a rucksack that can be squashed flat and tucked away in a locker once you’ve unpacked. 2. High-Grip, Non-Marking Deck Shoes

Safety starts with your feet. You need shoes that provide excellent grip on a wet, moving deck and—crucially—don't leave black scuff marks on the pristine white GRP of the yacht.

- The Choice: Purpose-made boat shoes or technical sailing trainers are best. Avoid flip-flops while the boat is moving; they offer no toe protection and are a major trip hazard during a tack. 3. A Quality Lightweight Waterproof Jacket

Even in the height of the Croatian summer, the wind can pick up, or a sudden "Nevera" (summer storm) can roll through. A lightweight, breathable waterproof jacket is a non-negotiable part of your sailing course packing list. It protects you from spray and keeps the wind chill at bay during evening sails.

4. Polarised Sunglasses (with a Retainer)

The glare of the sun off the Adriatic is intense. Polarised lenses are essential because they cut through the reflection, allowing you to see the colour of the water, navigation buoys, and underwater hazards more clearly. There is even a shop in Marina Kanarija that you can buy these items: Embark Nautical

- Pro Tip: Buy a "floater" strap or a retainer. The bottom of Milna harbour is littered with expensive designer sunglasses that took a dive during a mooring manoeuvre! 5. Sun Protection: High SPF and a Hat

Sailing involves constant exposure to the sun, magnified by the water's reflection. Pack a high-factor, water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 30+). A cap or a wide-brimmed hat is also vital, but ensure it has a chin strap or a clip to keep it from blowing overboard the moment the wind hits 15 knots.

6. Personal Logbook and Theory Books

If this is your first RYA course, you’ll need a G158 Logbook to record your miles and certificates. If you are a returning student, don't forget to bring your existing one! Having your Day Skipper or Competent Crew handbook nearby is also great for a quick "cheat sheet" look at those RYA knots before bed.

7. A Powerful Power Bank

While most modern yachts have USB charging points, often they only work when the engine is running or when the boat is connected to shore power in the marina so a back up is best to bring. To ensure your phone or camera is always ready to capture that perfect sunset over Hvar, a portable power bank is a lifesaver.

8. Layers, Layers, Layers

The temperature can drop significantly once the sun goes down, especially during night sailing. Even in August, a fleece or a thermal base layer is a smart addition to your sailing course packing list. It’s much better to have a layer you don’t need than to be the shivering crew member at the helm at 2:00 AM.

Ready to Set Sail from Milna?

The right gear gives you the confidence to enjoy your course regardless of the weather. At Yacht Sail Training, we want our students to be as comfortable as possible so they can focus on the joy of learning.

If you have questions about specific gear or the weather conditions in Croatia during your travel dates, feel free to contact Yacht Sail Training. Our team is happy to provide a more detailed kit list tailored to the specific time of year you’ll be joining us in Milna.

Final Thoughts

Packing for a sailing course is about function over fashion. If it’s breathable, quick-drying, and fits in a soft bag, it’s a winner. Once your bag is packed, you’re one step closer to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic. That is your sailing course packing list sorted!

3 Proven Night Sailing Tips for Beginners: A Safety Guide

Night sailing tips... There is something profoundly magical about leaving the lights of Milna behind and heading out into the Adriatic under a canopy of stars. However, for many RYA students, the transition from day to night is one of the most daunting parts of their training. The familiar coastline vanishes, distances become harder to judge, and the "Rule of the Road" suddenly relies on a complex language of red, green, and white lights.

Mastering night sailing tips isn't just about technical navigation; it’s about managing your senses and your crew's safety. During your training in Croatia, you will likely complete a night passage to understand how the sea changes when the sun goes down. To help you prepare for this exhilarating challenge, here are three proven strategies for a safe and successful night at sea.

1. Prioritise "Light Discipline" and Your Night Vision

One of the most important night sailing tips for any beginner is protecting your night vision. It takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes for the human eye to fully adapt to the dark, but only a split second of white light to ruin it.

On a training yacht, it is best to use red light in the cockpit and at the chart table. Red light allows you to read your instruments and charts without "bleaching" the rhodopsin in your eyes.

- The Golden Rule: Keep your mobile phone away. The blue light from a smartphone screen is the quickest way to blind yourself to the horizon. - Pro Tip: Dim your chart plotter and instrument backlights to the lowest possible setting. You’d be surprised how little light you actually need to see your heading. 2. Trust Your Eyes, But Verify with Navigation

Navigating at night in the Adriatic requires a "belt and braces" approach. While you might be tempted to stare at the GPS all night, the most successful students use a combination of digital and traditional methods.

In Milna, we teach students to identify "light characteristics" - the specific flashing patterns of lighthouses and buoys. Before you even leave the marina, you should have a pilotage plan that lists the lights you expect to see. If you see a light flashing every 5 seconds (Fl 5s), cross-reference it with your charts (Admiralty Charts) or digital plotter (Navionics) to confirm your position. This "eyes-out-of-the-boat" approach is one of the essential night sailing tips that prevents navigation errors caused by over-reliance on technology.

3. The "One Hand for the Boat" Rule is Mandatory

Safety is always the priority, but at night, the stakes are higher. Falling overboard is dangerous at any time; at night, it can be fatal. This is why "clipping on" with a safety harness is standard procedure during RYA night passages.

Even if the sea looks calm, you should always maintain "one hand for the boat and one for yourself." Communication also becomes more critical. Before any crew member leaves the cockpit to go forward to the mast or the bow, they must inform the skipper. Maintaining a tidy deck is also vital; a stray mooring line or a misplaced winch handle is a much greater trip hazard when you can’t see your feet.

Get Professional Guidance for Your First Passage

Night sailing is an experience that stays with you forever, but it is always best learned under the watchful eye of an experienced instructor. If you’re feeling nervous about your first night passage, don't worry - every great sailor started exactly where you are.

During your courses you will receive advanced tuition from Yacht Sail Training instructors giving expert advice on preparing for your RYA Qualifications. Their instructors specialise in building the confidence of beginner sailors, ensuring you have the skills to enjoy the peace of the Adriatic at night rather than fearing it.

Final Thoughts

Once you master these night sailing tips, you’ll find that sailing at night is often more peaceful than the day. The wind often settles, the heavy traffic of the afternoon disappears, and you get to see the Dalmatian coast in a way very few tourists ever do. With the right preparation and a respect for "light discipline," you’ll be ready to navigate the stars.