Sailing Caribbean: Grenadines and Tobago Cays

How to get there: Flight to Fort de France - Martinique (4th km from Marina Le Marine) Below we indicate how to prepare for a sailing cruise.

First of all, let's remember that when we board a boat we will be available to the Captain who is responsible for the boat, for safety on board and for navigation, therefore for problematic needs or simply to move to the bow, we always refer to him.
The boat is available to everyone, and everyone will have to collaborate for the success of the maneuvers and sails as well as the order and accommodation on board. The crew could be made up of friends who are familiar with each other, or strangers, so respect for everyone will be essential for the success of the cruise, as if you were a single team! Remember that your freedom ends where another's begins. Sailing must be relaxing, so let's avoid dangerous or stressful situations especially if we have people on board who are not competent or prepared for the sea.

Sometimes, if the weather doesn't allow it, it's better to stay in port ... so the decision whether to sail or not will be exclusively the Captain's. For any doubt it is always better to ask the Commander for advice.

The common galley , to be prepared on site or with something already purchased in agreement with the crew:
- products with a long shelf life are ideal, avoid frozen products (we are sailing and the battery must always be charged for emergencies, not just for the fridge which could be switched off for various reasons)
- Fruits and vegetables are good for you, you can make delicious sauces with fresh vegetables. Then let's indulge ourselves (even if in port or in some harbor maybe we'll go ashore for dinner), but let's remember not to overdo it as they are perishable foods quickly, so we could take advantage of the ports to stock up!
- Water - 2 liters per person per day (remember that if you have the skipper, he is your guest and therefore at your expense ... not only for the water ... ) better more than less.
- Spirits are not bad. If it refreshes maybe they help to warm up, with a little chocolate (but the skipper can't drink alcohol! Ex Art. 53-bis. Conducting pleasure boats under the influence of alcohol)
- Wine or prosecco can't be missing unless you're all abstainers. Once the galley already purchased before the trip has been loaded, all together we check if something is missing and before boarding one person will take the task of obtaining it or the tasks will be divided
- Avoid going shopping all together. There is always something basic on board the boats, someone brings it and then leaves it on landing, and someone else uses it. It would be good practice to compile a map of where everything will be stored on board to avoid dispersing things without knowing what is there and where it has been stored (there are several lockers and lockers ...)

Kitchen: similar to the one at home, but ask how to use it and where to find the accessories! Crockery: we prefer plastic to be washed at sea (everything on board from plates to cups) rather than disposable ... less garbage and a cleaner world. However, let us remember that the water on board is precious if we want to stay autonomous at anchor, so we could save it by washing the dishes with sea water and drying them carefully.

Suitcases: definitely soft, trolly or similar to avoid (no wheels or rigid), so we stow them better once emptied (the spaces on the boat are different from those at home).

Clothing: suitable for the season, but with a windbreaker (if you don't have an oilskin) because when sailing if it rains ... we can't stop under a bridge. Unmissable swimsuit and a sweatshirt if it gets cooler in the evening. It is always better to have a hat and sunglasses with you, the sun reflects in the water and could annoy you over time, the hat prevents you from getting sunstroke. Shoes with white or light soles, avoid black or dark soles so as not to mark the deck, unfortunately no heels for women (on board) rock shoes recommended for swimming on the coast. Then, on the boat, you can go barefoot, but when maneuvering it's always better to wear shoes because the deck is full of pitfalls for your poor toes! Getting hurt on the boat is not nice and it would ruin the cruise.

IMPORTANT: below decks you do not go with shoes (of any kind), in this way we will have a cleaner boat.

The bathroom: yeah ... it looks like the one at home but it's not like that, absolutely avoid throwing paper or anything else down the drain ... If it gets clogged it's not nice and we'll lose use of it for a while .... so at every use put the paper in a small bag, which when closed will be thrown in the bathroom bin. Wet wipes are also an excellent system instead of the bidet, always to be thrown in the closed bag.

Cabin: arrange your belongings in an orderly manner, remember that the boat heels under sail; if the cabin is shared, respect the spaces of others. Be careful if there are skylights under the gunwale!!! In navigation they must be closed absolutely! For sleeping, pillows, sheets and pillowcases are on board or you can opt for a sleeping bag (perhaps that can be opened completely) which allows you privacy and at the same time speed and comfort.

Destination: sailing time and wind will always have the last word, but it is good to set a goal and a general route to follow. Documents: bring your passport with you, which is needed to move between the islands. High protection sunscreen: useful, the sun beats down on the boat and you don't notice ... your nose, don't forget ... Lots of cream.

Medicines: the boat will certainly have what is needed for first aid but it is everyone's responsibility to have a minimum of basic medicines (aspirin, painkillers ...). To avoid exchanging medicines because we are not doctors and we do not know the problems of others, furthermore some medicines for seasickness (recommended by the general practitioner) can be useful. Yes, we know many rules ... But at sea we must have fun and respect them! And now?! Fair winds and enjoy the sail!