Sailing Tips

What To Wear/Bring

Sailing and paddling are challenging sports that encourage and require a healthy lifestyle. Help us prepare you for a day on the water with these simple, important guidelines that will help sailors and paddlers alike to learn properly, and enjoy your experience:

• Bring a re-usable water bottle (no plastic, single-use bottles!)

• Wear sun-block, sunglasses, hat, and other sun protection

• Wear layered clothes for cooler temperatures on the water

• Bring a change of dry clothes and a towel

• Wear old sneakers or aqua socks that can get wet

• Tight sandals with a toe/ arch strap are OK (no flip-flops or slides)

• Don’t bring jewelry, electronics, or anything that you value

• Sail Haven/Canal Dock Boathouse is not responsible for any lost, immersed, or stolen item

• Coast Guard approved Type III lifejacket - Sail Haven has a large selection of lifejackets

​Running Aground

Stay in the boat! There are many underwater obstructions that you cannot see near shore. Some can cut right through your shoes. Raise your centerboard, lower your sail, or remove your rudder to free yourself from the obstruction. Give all shorelines a 50-yard min. buffer zone.

​Man Overboard

If anyone falls out of the boat, watch his/her position constantly and return to pick him/her up immediately. It is difficult to find a person in the water once you have lost sight of him/ her.

​Capsizing

Stay with the boat! The current can be very strong making swimming difficult. Do not try to swim to shore. All boats have flotation and won’t sink even when full of water. Don’t stand on top of a capsized boat, as your weight may force the mast into the mud. Speed is the key to recovery success.