What to wear and what not to wear has always been a major question asked by people sailing on catamarans for the first time. Having made the mistake of overpacking and carrying things I sure didn’t need to, I’m happy to help everyone going on this type of excursion for the first time.
Sailing vacations have evolved as an entertaining and cost-effective alternative to typical land vacations. Sailing vacations, on the other hand, are distinctive from land-based getaways in a variety of critical respects.
Keep in mind that you’ll be swimming a lot, dealing with the sun and wind, and dining in informal places for the most part. That determines what you’ll pack, from swimwear to sun protection and, of course, footwear that doesn’t harm the catamaran. So it’s vital to plan wisely so you’ll not have any regrets.

What to Wear on a Catamaran
When it comes to preparing for a sailing vacation, many new sailors tend to overestimate their clothing needs. The inappropriate kind of clothing is also a common problem for chartering groups.
Because of the limited amount of room available, a sailing vacation is unlike any other. For any trip, it’s essential to keep things light and organized. As a result, the purpose of this page is to provide information for inexperienced catamaran sailors.
As opposed to a monohull, a catamaran allows you to pack more comfortably and enjoy the vast social spaces in your evening attire.
For a quick trip, what should you wear?

A day or weekend sail on a catamaran is two of the options for a short excursion.
- If you are going on a day’s sail, you don’t need to carry anything beyond sunscreen and bug repellant.
- Because the trip is so brief, changing clothes on the boat isn’t an option. For the most part, you should dress casually. Something light over your beachwear if you wish to cover up.
- Keep things light even if you’re on a weekend sailing excursion.
If you’re going on a long-term sailing excursion, you’ll need to change but won’t need to wash your clothes.
- You should just bring one additional set of clothes on your trip.
- The second set of swimwear may suffice if the trip doesn’t include shore excursions.
- A light water-resistant coat might be useful in the event of a rainstorm or cold winds
What to Pack for a Long-Term Vacation
To be prepared for a week-long cruise, you’ll need to do some research on what to bring along. Many of the packing choices would be influenced by the boat’s facilities, the location, and the weather forecast.
- A collection of casual attire
- As an example, if the catamaran is equipped with a laundry room, you may want to pack light.
- An extra skirt or pair of pants would be a good idea if your sailing itinerary includes stopping at prominent seaside areas and going out to modern-day hangouts.
- For the most part, you’ll be ok bringing light and casual clothing.
- Additionally, you would only need 3-4 bathing suits for your entire voyage.
- For rainy and windy days, always bring a light yet useful synthetic jacket.
What Type of Shoes is Idea?
On the boat, you’d be doing a lot of strolling about barefoot. Boat shoes and flip-flops, on the other hand, are an absolute must when sailing, especially if you plan on going ashore. Beach sandals on the sand.
- The soles of your boat shoes should be made of soft rubber.
- In addition to being unneeded, hard soles might damage the boat’s surface.
- A pair of lightweight athletic footwear would be ideal for people who plan to participate in any on-shore activities throughout their vacation.
- Your flip-flops should have a strong grip and be anti-slip to ensure your safety.
Things to Avoid Wearing on a Catamaran Cruise

Relaxed sailing vacations are the norm. Its guiding principle is to use as few items as feasible. Due to this, it is imperative to avoid anything that contradicts this ideology.
An evening coat is required. When embarking on a sailing trip, you don’t need to pack your pricey formal clothes.
This includes elegant fancy dresses for women and coats for men, both of which should be left out of your luggage.
In the same way, dressy footwear and stilettos are not appropriate attire for a sailing trip. Only one pair of jeans should be packed by males for their vacation, as they are both heavy and unneeded on a boat.
List of Ideal Clothes for a Catamaran Cruise

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to clothes for cat cruises.
- Dresses that women can wear over their swimwear
- Tank tops and shorts should also be included in a woman’s luggage
- Shirts and shorts made of cotton are ideal for men to bring.
- Swimwear
- Swim trunks are a must-have for men
- A pair of leggings is also a good idea for colder days
- It’s important to have enough undergarments
- Socks
- Sarongs
- A scarf, of course
- Fast-drying towels are also needed by both men and women
- To protect yourself from the rain, all you’ll need is a thin nylon jacket
Footwear
Female sailors would need to bring the following items:
- Sandals with a supple sole are perfect for excursions ashore
- The footwear you’ll need to get around on the water
- a pair of flip-flops
Extra items that might prove vital:
- Don’t forget to throw up your regular toiletries as well
- Brushes and hair ties of your choice
- A pair of polarized eyeglasses are essential
- Baseball caps or even wide-brimmed hats are suitable choices
- Lots of sunblocks
- A face mask for the eyes
- A dry bag is what you’re looking for
It’s a good idea to keep a hairdryer on hand, but don’t bring it on your sailboat because it will drain the batteries. Put your clothes in a soft bag, not a firm one. Use duffel bags or other soft luggage. They’re more compact and won’t scratch the boat’s surface.
As much as possible, pack garments composed of fibers that are both breathable and quick-drying. As a result of spending so much time on the ocean, it’s conceivable that you’d enjoy water-based hobbies and pursuits. Make sure you bring your snorkel gear if you don’t like the notion of renting it.
Why Should you Choose a Catamaran Cruise?

Catamarans are perfect vessels for people seeking a very relaxing vacation as well as for those seeking speed.
In open water, fast sailing catamarans like the ones created in the 21st century are an excellent choice. Catamarans also have the advantages of spaciousness, stability, and ease of use.
Catamarans can soar through the air because of the air in their sails. In today’s catamarans, you’ll find all the amenities you’d find on a yacht, including large staterooms, bathrooms, and other amenities.
What to Wear on a Catamaran: The Bottom Line
Whenever it pertains to sailing trips, you must have a firm grasp of the value of packing light and packing correctly.
Packing light allows you to enjoy your trip more because you don’t have to worry about your belongings as much.
However, it’s also crucial to pack the correct equipment, such as high-quality polarized spectacles and quick-drying towels.