YHA competent crew - Clothing?

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NinjaAndy

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Hi,

I'm due to go on my first YHA cruising qualification (Competent Crew with Plas Menai), in North Wales in mid August. I was wondering what you'd suggest as suitable clothing, considering space limitations for a week onboard.

Any other advise also readily accepted - I'm not totally sure what to expect, but I love a good adventure, and have spent a week learning dinghy sailing recently! :D

Andy
 
Compentent Crew course

Do you mean RYA, or is this different? Plas Menai will probably supply a "what to bring" list? Do they supply waterproof outer clothing - lots of schools do so I would ask.

Anyway, for a week on a boat in N Wales in August you'll need a soft bag to pack in first of all - try to avoid anything with a frame. Plus a spring/autumn sleeping bag.

It's nearly always cool at sea so go for layers, no cotton (esp jeans) - synthetic fabrics which dry easily. A cap or hat to keep your head warm or the sun off. Sunglasses. Sailing gloves to protect your hands around ropes and winches. Non-marking shoes which grip in the wet plus some waterproof sailing boots - Decathlon sell these sometimes.

If you do have to get some outer waterproof gear, then Decathlon are good for that too. The best gear is very very expensive, but it's worth getting hold of basic salopette-type trousers and a jacket with a high collar and warm pockets if you are sailing any distance in breezy weather. Sailing can be very wet indeed and once the water gets in you will start to get cold and struggle - good clothing then becomes a safety issue, not just comfort. But, I repeat, I would expect the school to supply them or hire them out.

Finally, sea-sickness tablets are worth it if you suffer at all (lots do), once you are out of the Strait. Stugeron work well, Boots-own are good and work more quickly.
 
Re. sunglasses, and certainly prescription spectacles, get some straps, available in trendy colours from chandleries or quite OK ones from Specsavers etc.

The seabed is carpeted with glasses belonging to people who made the mistake of looking down...
 
Avoid duplication of gear - ask Plas Menai for a list of what they supply ( probably 'wet weather oilies' and maybe boots. They may also supply sleeping bags and sheet liners ) and what they recommend that you bring.

Inside your own soft holdall-bag, take some plastic bags in which you can store any clothing that gets wet. A cheap LED head-torch and spare batteries is very useful. Take a notebook that won't fall apart if it gets damp. My sleeping bag and 'bed sox' live in a dedicated drybag - they don't get wet, so I don't sleep cold. You can achieve the same, cheaply, with a big refuse sac/polybag.

When you've used/taken off an item of clothing, immediately put it away in your waterproof soft bag, out of the way of other's dripping wet.

You could fruitfully carry some packs of nuts 'n raisins, or chocolate, or mints, or - VIP - crystalised ginger. Everyone is capable of becoming a bit seasick - that last suggestion can stop it in its tracks.

You need TWO woolly hats, for a lot of body heat is lost from the head - more if your single woolly hat is soaked.

Don't worry about knives and tools - that's the sea school's responsibility. If you need specs, take two pairs of cheapo ones. Take some small packs of Kleenex - I also carry a small pack of medicated 'babywipes' to help with the personal hygiene, and some Neutrogena 'Norwegian Formula' stuff for irritated skin here and there.

There's a wise old adage that 'any fool can be uncomfortable at sea'....

Enjoi! :)
 
And invest in a microfibre towel. You'll almost certainly be showering in marina facilities and microfibre towels dry quickly - traditional towelling doesn't dry easily.

Sports Direct sell a Karrimor version at a good price and Decathlon's own brand are OK too although a bit smaller.
 
Sailing Course @ Plas Menai

Hi Andy

Would agree with all above comments and suggest that you firstly email/ring Plas Menai and ask for full details of what is provided and what you need to bring. As I recall they supply pretty much everything you need in the way of outer waterproof clothing and you provide the rest but ask them first and they are a helpful bunch and you should a great week even if the weather is **** !! ( v. important about the sea sickness tablets as you are likely to go around South Stack & Carmel Head off Holyhead which can be very exciting)

After your course you will have a better idea of the the type of waterproof gear etc. you will need for your future sailing and then you can do the trawl on the internet?

Good luck
 
I nearly always find that a breathable, windproof jacket is the most worn piece of clothing. It doesn't need to be waterproof or warm, you can layer up with microfleece underneath. Oh, and a buff to keep wind/spray off the neck. I think somebody already said don't wear jeans, if they get wet you will freeze.
 
+1 for the jeans. Leave 'em behind or you'll end up wet, cold & uncomfortable.

I like Craghoppers trousers. Loads of pockets, not waterproof, but dry quickly and don't take up a lot of space in your bag. I like 'em so much, I wear 'em all the time unless I need to look a bit smart. Go Outdoors do some similar ones for around £12. They're not as good as the Craghoppers, but they aren't the same price and do the job. G.O. is one of the cheaper places to buy most outdoor stuff.

Generally, for sailing, I reckon on taking autumn kit for summer and winter kit for autumn & spring. It can get cold even during the day and night sailing is a time for winter woolies in my experience. (fleeces are better than wool sweaters as they tend to dry quicker when they get wet)
 
I find a snood a great bit of kit.

Microfiber kit is your freind. Make sure you have lots of dry socks.
 
I suppose the question is whether you want to look the part... :D

You ideally want some pink sailing trousers, buy some red ones now and keep washing them, they should be the right shade by your course start.

You'll also want a blazer, and a Breton cap...
 
northwind said:
I suppose the question is whether you want to look the part... :D

You ideally want some pink sailing trousers, buy some red ones now and keep washing them, they should be the right shade by your course start.

You'll also want a blazer, and a Breton cap...
Click to expand...

When you said pink sailing trousers.. I almost believed you! I'm a snowboarder too, and the general rule with snowboarding clothes is that the brighter and clashier it is - the cooler it is. Perhaps this doesn't apply with sailing?
 
northwind said:
I suppose the question is whether you want to look the part... :D

You ideally want some pink sailing trousers, buy some red ones now and keep washing them, they should be the right shade by your course start.

You'll also want a blazer, and a Breton cap...
Click to expand...

I don't think Craghoppers do red though. Buy some cream ones and put them on a hot wash with a red wooly jumper.
 
NinjaAndy said:
Hi,

I'm due to go on my first YHA cruising qualification (Competent Crew with Plas Menai), in North Wales in mid August. I was wondering what you'd suggest as suitable clothing, considering space limitations for a week onboard.

Any other advise also readily accepted - I'm not totally sure what to expect, but I love a good adventure, and have spent a week learning dinghy sailing recently! :D

Andy
Click to expand...

You've made a great choice with Plas Menai.

There are just a few things required for cruising north wales in August. Shorts, swimming trunks, sun cream, sun glasses and a hat. :D

As others have said, Plas Menai should send you "joining instructions" and these should show all that you need. If there's anything on the list that you don't own, it's well worth trying to borrow from a friend if you can; until you have more experience and hence in a better position to know what to look for. Sailing kit can be expensive because all sailors, especially those from around Manchester, like branded goods and have lots of money ;)

The first obstacle will be joining the boat at Porth Dinorwic. Be very cautious when near the locals as they can't be trusted. Most, of course, will be from south Manchester, some "southerners" from Stafforshire, too.

Cruising around the island will be a pleasure. You'll learn that where ever you are bound, the wind will be on your nose.

There's a few on this forum, myself included, who started with a dinghy course followed by first steps on a yacht sailing around Anglesey.

Be warned, it's addictive.

I hope you have a great time. Tell us all about it.
 
davidjackson said:
You've made a great choice with Plas Menai.

There are just a few things required for cruising north wales in August. Shorts, swimming trunks, sun cream, sun glasses and a hat. :D

As others have said, Plas Menai should send you "joining instructions" and these should show all that you need. If there's anything on the list that you don't own, it's well worth trying to borrow from a friend if you can; until you have more experience and hence in a better position to know what to look for. Sailing kit can be expensive because all sailors, especially those from around Manchester, like branded goods and have lots of money ;)

The first obstacle will be joining the boat at Porth Dinorwic. Be very cautious when near the locals as they can't be trusted. Most, of course, will be from south Manchester, some "southerners" from Stafforshire, too.

Cruising around the island will be a pleasure. You'll learn that where ever you are bound, the wind will be on your nose.

There's a few on this forum, myself included, who started with a dinghy course followed by first steps on a yacht sailing around Anglesey.

Be warned, it's addictive.

I hope you have a great time. Tell us all about it.
Click to expand...


I will do! Thanks very much David! :D
 
David is quite right, I would however add that you look at a chart & see where the little wavy lines are. These identify the exciting bits, usually off headlands where wind over tide creates interesting conditions.

As Comp Crew you will not be responsible for navigating the boat, but show an interest & try to be aware of where you are & where you are headed. At some point you will almost certainly hit an overfall sitation & it helps to be prepared & to understand that it will in due course get calmer.

Oh, & keep your phone in a waterproof wrapper & take loads of pics to entertain us all with when you come back!
 
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