Faq’s
I have a question – Sailing along with sailwithus
You ask, we answer!
You’ve clicked through our website up and down and still have a question about your sailing holiday? Then take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions, or FAQs for short. Based on customer questions, we’ve put together a short overview.
Booking process and payment terms
Yes, you can also sign up alone. Our trips can be booked for solo travelers, couples, or small groups. We’ll be happy to support you with that…
It is generally possible to book a single cabin. This comes with an additional cost (90% of the double trip price).
You can find the trip prices in our booking form. On site, there will be an additional onboard cash contribution of approx. €250 to €350 for food, harbor fees, diesel, etc. The skipper is always included in the provisions.
Once you’ve decided on a sailing trip, you submit a binding booking request online. We will review it and then send you the trip confirmation along with the invoice. As soon as you’ve sent us a booking request, you are (initially) firmly scheduled for the trip.
We recommend that you search for a travel option for your preferred date at the same time, especially when it comes to flights. Once you’ve found a good combination of suitable travel and a date, you can also (upon request) set up a reservation with us for a few days to be on the safe side. We’ll also be happy to support you with your flight search.
The onboard cash box is the group fund used to pay for food, harbor fees, fuel, excursions, etc. At the start of the trip, each crew member contributes about €200–300 (depending on the sailing area) to the cash box, and one crew member manages the money. If there’s any money left at the end of the week, you’ll of course get it back. Our tip: use the app “Splitwise” to keep a great overview of all expenses.
By the way: according to old seafaring tradition, the skipper’s meals are always covered by the onboard cash box as well.
Our services for your sailing holiday include:
- 7 nights stay on a sailing yacht
- Including a German/English-speaking skipper
- Fully equipped kitchen with gas for stove and oven
- One towel per person
- Bed linen
- Dinghy (tender) with outboard motor
- Navigation equipment
- Final cleaning of the yacht
- Security certificate for your sailing trip
- Insolvency insurance with R+V
- Nautical miles confirmation
Additionally, you have the option to book extras such as an early check-in, a grill, or a stand-up paddleboard.
Not included in the offer price: arrival and departure, onboard cash box, and any insurance if applicable.
Of course! As a rule, you have the option to reserve any date starting in 6 weeks or later for 1–3 days. If it’s 3 months before the date, a reservation of up to 1 week is possible. During peak season, reservations are limited to 1–2 days. Reservations can be made by phone or email.
No, travel insurance does not necessarily have to be taken out at the time of booking. With our partner Hansemerkur, you have the option to take out travel cancellation insurance up to 30 days before the start of the trip.
No, we do not arrange flights, but we do provide corresponding assistance.
Payment of the trip amount is possible via bank transfer.
Your travel documents will be sent to your email address on the 42nd day, the 21st day, and in the week before your trip.
If you were not completely satisfied with the sailing trip, please send us an email at info@sailwithus.de. Every piece of feedback is important to us so we can continuously improve the quality of our sailing trips.
You have the option to cancel your trip at any time. The applicable cancellation fees can be found in the terms and conditions.
According to our General Travel Conditions (GTC), we will inform you no later than 28 days before the start of the trip if a trip cannot take place due to not reaching the minimum number of participants.
In the Mediterranean, we need a minimum of 4 participants. For family trips and join-in catamaran trips, it’s 5 participants. For overseas trips, we require a minimum of 5–6 participants.
Our data protection policies comply with the new provisions of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and we do not share your data with third parties. All information we receive from you via the booking form is used exclusively for internal purposes and for processing your trip.
Of course, we offer special family sailing trips. These not only focus on sailing but also ensure fun and entertainment for children and teenagers (ages 2–17).
According to our terms and conditions, we may withdraw from the contract up to 28 days before the agreed start of the trip if the minimum number of participants has not been reached.
Yes, it is 4 people in the Mediterranean, 5 for family trips, and 6 for overseas trips.
The number of families depends on the size of the yacht. Usually, two to four families can be accommodated together.
Yes, we offer the catamaran category both in the Youngline and the Forever Young segments. It is also possible to book a catamaran for you and your group of friends via the “Private Yacht” section.
The deposit is due immediately, and the remaining balance four weeks before departure. As a rule, the deposit amounts to 25%.
Of course, we offer vouchers for our sailing trips.
Preparation, arrival & departure
After your booking, you will regularly receive further information from us by email. Here you’ll get tips on packing, meal planning, etc.
About a week before the start of the trip, we create a WhatsApp group where you can get to know your crew and the skipper.
Around 5 days before the trip begins, you will receive the final travel information, including a harbor map and berth details.
And then it’s time to cast off!
For this purpose, a WhatsApp group will be created by us in the week before your trip. There you can exchange information about arrival and more in advance.
The fellow sailors usually meet between 2–4 p.m. at the marina or in a nearby café. From around 5 p.m., the skipper can board the yacht and handle the handover. In the meantime, you as the crew will go shopping. If you need to arrive later, this is possible in exceptional cases by prior arrangement. Saturday is usually an organization day, and the yacht will set sail on Sunday after a detailed safety briefing.
The yacht will return to the home port on Friday between 3 and 6 p.m. You will spend one last night on the yacht, and then the yacht must be left the next day around 9 a.m. Departure within this time frame is possible.
It’s best to bring a duffel bag or a hiking backpack. Please do not bring a hard-shell suitcase. We don’t have storage space for it, and it will always be in the way. Feel free to check out our packing list so you don’t forget anything for your next sailing holiday.
We provide you with bed linen and one towel. So please bring an additional towel with you. Since we jump straight from the yacht into the blue water of the bay, there’s no need for a beach towel.
This depends on the sailing area. In most areas, an ID card is sufficient. You’re welcome to contact us about this. We recommend checking the current entry and safety information from the Foreign Office. However, for overseas destinations you will need a passport (Thailand, Caribbean, Seychelles, etc.).
Here are a few tips for packing: https://www.sailwithus.de/gut-zu-wissen/packliste/
Travel information is available by email and at https://www.sailwithus.de/gut-zu-wissen/anreiseinformationen/
Basically, it is not absolutely necessary to take out insurance. However, it is advisable to consider some insurance for unforeseen events before or during the sailing trip, such as:
Travel cancellation insurance for the sailing trip
International health insurance
Accident insurance
Liability insurance
Yes, that’s possible! Some sailing areas can be reached by train, ferry, or long-distance bus. Our destinations in the Baltic Sea, Sardinia, France, or Croatia offer such options.
On board & sailing route
No, you don’t need any prior experience. Our sailing trips are for everyone – whether you’re completely new to sailing or already have some experience. Throughout the week, our skippers will teach you everything you need to know and make sure you’re always safe and well taken care of.
That depends on the type of trip you book. On our Youngline trip, your fellow sailors will be between 18 and 39 years old. On our Forever Young trip, they are between 40 and 59 years old. For our themed and training trips (Green Ahoi, Yoga, SKS), there is no age limit.
All crew members meet on Saturday between 2 and 4 p.m. at the marina. Around 5 p.m., you’ll board the yacht, and after a detailed safety briefing the next morning, you’ll set sail. A later arrival on Saturday evening is theoretically possible, but we don’t recommend it – please coordinate with your fellow crew members via WhatsApp in advance!
During the first two days, your sense of balance needs a little time to adjust to the new environment. After a short while, though, you’ll grow your “sea legs.” We often compare it to hiccups: if you distract yourself or, for example, focus on steering the yacht, you’ll usually feel fine. Most of the time, we sail in calm waters. Try not to spend too much time below deck in the first few days. Looking at the horizon, enjoying the wide view, and feeling the fresh wind on your face will usually help you feel good. Still, it can be wise to bring along some tablets against (travel) sickness. It’s best to get advice at a pharmacy. And if you do happen to get seasick, make sure to stay well hydrated—this will help you feel better more quickly.
We sail on modern yachts with 3, 5, or 6 cabins.
We sail on modern yachts of various sizes: 3-cabin, 4-cabin, 5-cabin, and 6-cabin yachts. Accordingly, there are between 5 and 12 fellow sailors on board.
Our fellow sailors and skippers come from the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), so the main language on board will be German. However, all skippers speak English, and international sailors are very welcome.
Yes, we have a fully equipped kitchen on board. The stove usually has two gas burners, and most yachts are also equipped with an oven.
The power supply on a yacht consists of 2 car batteries. Therefore, devices such as hairdryers, curling irons, or similar will not work. While sailing in the Mediterranean, phones, cameras, etc. can be charged in the harbor, and during the day also with a 12-volt adapter (cigarette lighter or USB ports). If needed, we recommend bringing a power bank to recharge it in between.
Yes. Every sailboat has at least two wet cells, each with a toilet, sink, and shower. The facilities are functional but relatively compact. A long shower every day won’t be possible, as water is usually a scarce resource and should be used sparingly. In harbors, we can refill the yacht’s water tanks, and most marinas also have nice sanitary facilities where you can enjoy a thorough beauty session.
Our sailing days usually start around 10 a.m. after breakfast. Once the yacht is ready, you set sail. Typically, you sail for about 2–3 hours to a beautiful bay for a swimming stop. After that, you sail another 2–3 hours—either to another bay or to a harbor. How exactly you spend the day is decided individually by the crew. For example, it’s also possible to take a day off from sailing and instead enjoy a nice shore excursion or explore the local towns at a relaxed pace.
Um an Bord bei sailwithus mitzusegeln, ist es notwendig, dass jede*r Crewteilnehmer*in aktiv mithilft. Die Zusammenarbeit mit der Crew macht in der Regel viel Spaß, und es bleibt genügend Zeit zum Entspannen und Feiern. Am ersten Tag eines Segeltörns gibt es einige Aufgaben zu erledigen, wie zum Beispiel das Einkaufen von Lebensmitteln, das Kennenlernen des Segelns und eine Sicherheitseinweisung. Während des restlichen Segeltörns sollten alle Crewmitglieder bereit sein, bei verschiedenen Tätigkeiten wie Segel setzen, Steuern, Deck- und Kabinenreinigung, Einkaufen, Kochen, An- und Ablegen mitzuhelfen. Bei sailwithus arbeitet die Crew von Anfang an gemeinsam als Team.
With Sailwithus, you can book additional extras such as a grill, SUP, and much more. You can find an overview of the available extras via the link to the master data, or you can simply contact us directly.
On ships, there are standard 230-volt sockets located in the saloon area, which only work when the ship is connected to shore power in the harbor. On some newer ships, such sockets are also available in the cabins, but likewise only usable with shore power.
Additionally, there is a 12-volt socket at the chart table, which works independently of shore power.
On some newer ships, 12-volt USB ports are available in various places, including in the cabins. However, these are not standard, so you shouldn’t rely on them. For example, if you need to use a device such as a sleep apnea machine at night in the cabin, you should make sure to bring a sufficiently long cable to connect it to the 12-volt socket.
Since our yachts are equipped with a stove, sometimes an oven, and refrigerators, cooking on board is no problem. In small teams, participants cook together and take turns daily. Everyone shares responsibilities, such as meal preparation, washing up, or shopping. The crew can decide what they want to eat each day. When docked in ports, the crew also has the option to shop locally or visit nearby restaurants. The skipper can gladly assist you in selecting local dining options.
You can generally bring your dog on board, but additional cleaning costs of €200–300 will apply, and in some cases dogs must wear special socks or shoes to prevent scratches. Please let us know in advance if you plan to bring your pet so we can coordinate with the yacht charter company.
No. Since there are various tasks on the yacht, you can help in other ways, such as handling the shopping.
The sailing yacht is fully insured, with a deductible equal to the security deposit, for which the entire crew is jointly liable. A deposit insurance covers this deductible, so no deposit needs to be paid and the holiday can be enjoyed without worries.
How often you go ashore ultimately depends on your preferences. The route is planned individually, taking the weather into account. On some days, you’ll spend the night in a bay where you can go ashore with the dinghy/tender. On other days, you’ll dock in a harbor, giving you the opportunity to visit restaurants, go shopping, or explore the surroundings.
Our sailing trips are flexible and open in terms of route planning, as we rely on the wind and the crew’s mood. This allows us to adapt the journey optimally and balance swimming and onshore activities according to the participants’ wishes. If multiple boats are sailing together, it is possible to sail together, provided all crew members agree.
Of course, each traveler can decide for themselves which foods they want to bring and eat. However, we recommend coordinating with the group beforehand to ensure a balanced and varied diet. In general, the focus is on shopping and cooking together to promote group cohesion and the shared experience.
At sailwithus, the skipper is generally provided with meals by the group, both on board and in restaurants.
That depends on your preferences. As a crew, you decide (taking the weather into account) how your route and overall plan should look. If you’d like to spend the week completely self-sufficient, staying only in bays, that’s possible. At the same time, it’s also an option to stay in harbors more often and, for example, go out for dinner or to a party. Since you have a dinghy (tender boat) on board, you always have the option to go ashore even when anchored in a bay.
We usually only sail during the day. However, the group can coordinate with the skipper and plan a sailing trip at sunrise.
If problems arise during the sailing trip, the local charter companies are available promptly to provide assistance. However, since the boats are heavily used each week by different crews, there may be waiting times for repairs. In such cases, sailors can use the waiting time to visit nearby places or relax on the beach.
Smoking is generally only allowed on deck. To avoid disturbing the other crew members, we recommend smoking on the leeward side—the side of the boat sheltered from the wind. Please always be considerate of the other guests when smoking.
Of course, it is possible to bring your own snorkeling equipment. However, there is no space on board for diving or kite equipment, so it is best to get in touch with us to find the best possible solution.
By default, there is no fixed Wi-Fi on board, but on most coastal sailing trips you will have good mobile phone reception. In remote bays or at sea, however, it may happen that the signal temporarily drops.
If you want to stay online during the trip, on some trips you have the option to book Wi-Fi – just contact us in advance!
While sailing, the entire crew must maintain full control and attention to ensure the safety of the yacht and fellow crew members. However, once the yacht is anchored or in the harbor, the consumption of alcohol in moderation is of course allowed.
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The SWU yoga trip combines the experience of a sailing trip with daily yoga and relaxation sessions. You’ll enjoy the peace of the sea, sailing adventures, and mindful moments, all guided by a yoga instructor.
No, the yoga trip is suitable for both beginners and experienced yogis. Our yoga instructors tailor the sessions individually.
You should bring comfortable clothing and, if desired, your personal yoga equipment.
The SKS trip (Sport Coastal Sailing License trip) is a training trip that specifically prepares you for the practical SKS exam. At the end of the week, you have the opportunity to take the practical exam directly on site.
The learning content includes:
Technical instruction in the gas system, electrics, and engine, etc.
Docking and Undocking Under Power
Stopping and turning in confined spaces
Navigation by Compass and Sea Marks, as Well as Terrestrial and Electronic Positioning
Meteorology
Course sailing: close-hauled, beam reach, broad reach; tacking and jibing
Man Overboard Maneuvers Under Sail and Power
Use of Knots and Lines
Yes, you should already hold the SBF-See license and have gained initial sailing experience (300 nautical miles).
We focus on beach clean-ups, plastic-free products, and environmentally friendly activities, and during the Green Ahoi trip we take time each day to, for example, clean up trash from the most beautiful bays. In addition, we make sure not to leave any waste in nature and learn more about sustainable living on board. Of course, there’s still plenty of sailing every day!
A private trip is a customized sailing trip where you book the entire yacht exclusively for yourself and your group. The route, activities, and catering are tailored specifically to your wishes.
That depends on the size of the yacht booked. Our yachts start with 3 cabins (= 6 berths) and go up to 6 cabins (= 12 berths). We recommend planning a berth in the cabins for the skipper to secure your living space. Otherwise, the skipper can also sleep there. Therefore, you can book a private yacht with us for at least 5–11 people.
The student trip is a sailing trip designed especially for trainees and students. It offers a combination of sailing fun, relaxation, and shared experiences at a budget-friendly price.
The skipper training is a special trip that specifically prepares you to safely command a yacht on your own. During the training, you will learn important maneuvers such as docking and casting off, harbor maneuvers, navigation, meteorology, and safety management on board.
For beginners, the Adriatic in Croatia and the Greek Peloponnese are particularly suitable. Both areas offer sheltered waters, short distances between stops, and a variety of safe harbors and bays. Mallorca and Sardinia are also recommended.
Experienced sailors enjoy challenges such as the Cyclades in Greece, where stronger winds prevail. The Canary Islands also offer demanding sailing and breathtaking landscapes.
This depends heavily on the booking situation. We always try to organize the crew as best as possible in terms of age and gender distribution. You are welcome to contact us at any time to ask about the current composition for a specific week.
On the first day of the sailing trip, cabins will be assigned. The crew and skippers can choose their cabins based on their preferences and needs. Generally, cabins are assigned with gender separation. If you would like to stay with a specific person or prefer not to share a cabin with someone of a different gender, feel free to mention this during booking. We will take your preferences into account.
Nein, da die Crew eigenstädnig entscheidet was gekocht wird und sicherlich alle Rücksicht darauf nehmen.
If needed, the skipper can make an entry in your logbook or issue a nautical miles confirmation at the end of each sailwithus trip upon request.
Our skippers hold all the necessary sailing and radio licenses required to navigate the respective sailing areas. We ensure that the skippers meet our selection criteria.
All yachts are fully equipped with safety features. At Sailwithus, we place great importance on safe travel, so each of our yachts is equipped with complete lifesaving equipment, including life jackets, distress signals, lifebelts, and floating buoys. Additionally, some sailing yachts are equipped with a life raft and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), which can be used in case of emergency.
It depends on the sailing yacht you are traveling on. In general, skippers sleep in the cabins. In some cases, they may also stay overnight in the cockpit or salon.
In addition to bed linen and towels, the use of gas, the battery, and the outboard motor is also provided.
The skipper is a dedicated and experienced sailor. Most of the time, skippers are around the same age as the fellow crew members. They impress with their experience and pleasant manner, so the age of the skipper is not the main focus.
Most of the participants come from German-speaking countries. International participants are also welcome, in which case communication takes place in English.
Each crew plans their route individually and decides whether they want to coordinate with other yachts. Since we usually have several yachts starting simultaneously in our sailing areas, flotilla coordination is possible. The skippers can exchange information on site according to the preferences of their own crew.