When you take on the role of skipper during a sailing trip, your primary responsibility is ensuring the safety of the crew and taking care of navigation. However, an equally important—though often overlooked—aspect of the task is making sure that your travel companions feel comfortable and enjoy their time on board. This is especially true when there are beginners among the crew. In fact, this factor has become ever more crucial when it comes to sailing holidays and often makes the difference between a rewarding, memorable trip and an experience best forgotten.

It’s important to put yourself in the shoes of the less experienced crew members and recognize that during their first outings, the confined spaces of a sailboat, the dynamics of life on board, and the different rhythms can feel a tad overwhelming. That’s why it’s up to the more experienced sailors—particularly the skipper—to help new sailors relax, have fun, and feel both safe and useful. With that in mind, here are some key skills to start passing on right away to new crew members on during a sailing trip.

The boat as a new “floating” home

Sometimes it might occur that a skipper will find himself on board with guests that haven’t received any pre-trip briefing regards the economic, administrative and legal aspects of the experience. For newcomers who are not used to boats and the practical aspects of life on board, it’s important to help them feel at home. A gentle encouragement will help the new and inexperienced crew settle in. Showing where it’s safe to stand or sit, and pointing out the hazards of ropes, blocks, winches, and cleats, helps them get oriented.

Moving around while holding onto handrails with knees slightly bent to maintain balance, along with the old advice: “one hand for yourself, one for the boat,” is often not obvious to novice sailors. Explaining terminology, demonstrating how to use the bathroom on board, and showing where refreshments and life jackets are located will reassure even the most anxious minds.

Getting on, off and moving around safely on board

Guests usually like to be involved in maneuvers and to help out. Showing them how to tie and untie lines and fenders, as well as how and where to stow them, is an excellent starting point that immediately makes everyone on board feel they’re contributing.

Take a few minutes to demonstrate how to board and disembark safely and where they can position themselves when departing or arriving in port. Nobody likes to feel like they’ve done something wrong; clear explanations before departure and docking make the experience safer for everyone and help protect the boat itself. Always avoid shouting instructions like “jump!” and try to ensure your boat docks in such a way that your guests can step safely ashore.

 

How to handle sails and equipment

Hoisting and lowering the sails is another key activity while sailing, yet it can feel completely unfamiliar to newcomers stepping aboard for the first time. Show them how to safely use the winches, remove sail covers or ties, and correctly handle halyards and sheets so they feel involved. Of course, you could do everything yourself to appear self-sufficient, but remember that gradually involving them will bring amazing benefits throughout the trip.

The real secret is to keep both the activities and the approach relaxed—taking the time to explain what you’re doing, demonstrate it, and let them try. When newcomers feel like they’re actively contributing rather than just being the “spare parts,” they effectively also play a bigger role in fostering mutual trust on board.

Experience the thrill of steering

A simple way to ensure your guests enjoy their sailing experience is to encourage them to take the wheel once you’re safely away from any dangers of maritime traffic. It may seem counterintuitive to hand over the steering of your precious boat to a complete beginner, but it’s actually one of the easiest skills for new crew members to pick up.

Whether under sail or power, demonstrate how the wheel works and start by traveling in a straight line. Many of us learned to steer boats by giving them a fixed point on shore to aim for—use the same principle and guide them as they learn and experiment.

Explaining and decoding nautical jargon

Sailing, like many other sports, comes with its own technical jargon and specific ways of doing things. Review the essential terms, such as port, starboard, halyards, and sheets. We all use them by default (even when trying not to), and you certainly don’t want guests grabbing the wrong rope when you ask them to take the blue jib. Tying the right knots is another classic part of learning sailing terminology.

Fortunately, it’s something that can be learned easily: showing guests how to tie a figure-eight knot, a bowline, and a cleat hitch can provide hours of fun and laughter—especially if you turn it into a friendly competition.

Sailing is complex, but keep the explanations simple

Get everyone involved in sailing the boat. Usually, simple explanations of the basics are enough—for example, why a yacht cannot sail directly into the wind—without needing to give complicated lessons on aerodynamics.

Demonstrate how to trim the sails, then let them have a try. Simple instructions work best: “Let the sails out until they start flapping, then pull them in slightly until they stop.” Next, move on to changing direction and tacking. Thinking ahead about how much sail to use with inexperienced guests on board can help avoid an unexpected and stressful reefing session.

But what if something does happen?

A concern often left unspoken by novice sailors—and very common among friends sailing together—is what to do if something happens to the skipper. Their safety is your responsibility. Start by showing where to find and how to use a life jacket, and encourage guests to put it on, even if the conditions seem calm.

Show all new sailors how to start and stop the engine. Discuss a man-overboard procedure: simply explaining the steps can help reduce the “fear factor” without having to conduct a full drill. Additionally, remember to explain how to call for help via radio.