COCAL
ADVENTURE SAILING
Sailing = Freedom
Adventures help us to grow
and curiosity is the key to making the most of it!
FAQ's
World Sailing on S.Y. COCAL
We know you have lots of questions!
General: What to bring and what to expect?
Have your own modest sized duffel bag. Make sure the bag you bring your gear in is soft and foldable- no hard wheelie bags please! Bring a good quality sleeping bag in cold climates and try to find one that dries quickly, someone is bound to leave a hatch open! Bring clothes that are light and good for cold or warm climates and can dry quickly. Natural fabrics are best, cotton for layering and quick drying. Wool is the only thing that keeps you warm even when wet, so a wool hat is highly recommended. Being able to ‘layer’ is the goal, this means that you can add on clothes as the temperature drops in the evenings or as you move away from land and then remove them as the sun comes up. Don’t overload – less is more. Bring your own wet weather gear, be sure to have good quality heavy duty gear for the times the heavens just open up and it feels as though you’re surfing a waterfall! A lightweight waterproof windbreaker is also a good idea as it’s perfect for light showers and to keep you warm from the chilly winds. We don’t recommend jeans, they don’t keep you warm and they take ages to dry…
We will provide life jackets.
Make sure your passport is in date for at least six months beyond the return date after the period you expect to be sailing and get yourself suitable travel insurance that specifically covers ocean sailing, and the countries you will be visiting.
You will be expected to keep your gear tidy and in your own ‘zone’. No stuff lying around in the saloon or elsewhere on the boat. Sailing etiquette requires that you be part of a team, which means respecting each other and working together to learn, sail, cook, clean and relax without imposing on each other. Bathrooms/heads must be cleaned daily and it will be up to you to work out a schedule if you are sharing a bathroom- there are 4 heads on the boat.
The galley is a small space, you are welcome to prepare any meals you need- maybe offering some to your team mates too, but make sure you leave the galley tidy and clean with everything packed away. A schedule will be set for each team member to take turns in cooking one hot meal for everyday a day for the whole team. Usually this meal is scheduled to be eaten and cleared away before it gets dark.
If you have a favourite TV series or fun movies, bring them with you on a USB stick. The saloon boasts a 42” TV and in your downtime it’s a good place to relax, watch TV and read. Be sure to bring a few books too. You will certainly be busy with working to sail the boat effectively to our destination but there is lots of time when the sails are set and the yacht is cruising to sit back and enjoy the ride!
It’s suggested that you leave laptops at home, the best thing about ocean voyages is that you can unplug guilt free!
Your USB can also be used to copy photos onto, everybody is going to be taking lots of fun images and Captain Andrea is sure to fly his drone too and you’ll want those pictures to show everybody at home!
And finally, have an emergency budget for unexpected expenses, life is full of surprises and you want to be prepared.
Who is this geared towards?
We offer these ocean voyages as a means for sailors to gain miles and experience and learn from a qualified and highly experienced Captain. It’s also for people wanting to gain an experience on what it’s like to do an ocean crossing and what boat life is all about.
Once we reach a destination after a long haul, we offer short (usually 7 day) exploratory trips in country. This is highly recommended for experienced divers who want to visit remote and hard to reach places. S.Y Cocal is well equipped for adventure diving and we will hire a dive master in each location to accompany you on each dive.
If you would like to charter the yacht for friends and family in a specific location, you are welcome to! Just contact us with information regarding the number of people, your requirements and intended dates and we will provide you with a personalised itinerary and quote.
Safety
We offer these ocean voyages as a means for sailors to gain miles and experience and learn from a qualified and highly experienced Captain. It’s also for people wanting to gain an experience on what it’s like to do an ocean crossing and what boat life is all about.
Once we reach a destination after a long haul, we offer short (usually 7 day) exploratory trips in country. This is highly recommended for experienced divers who want to visit remote and hard to reach places. S.Y Cocal is well equipped for adventure diving and we will hire a dive master in each location to accompany you on each dive.
If you would like to charter the yacht for friends and family in a specific location, you are welcome to! Just contact us with information regarding the number of people, your requirements and intended dates and we will provide you with a personalised itinerary and quote.
How much experience do I need?
A lot…….or none at all. Come with a desire for adventure, an open mind and a positive attitude.
We will teach you what you need to know to fulfil your duties as a crew member on board S.Y. Cocal. And if you have a desire to learn more about sailing just ask questions and learn how to apply newly learned skills.
You will be hands-on and help with sail trim, boat maintenance, charting, cooking, cleaning, relaxing, etc. The experience you have will and the skills you develop will depend on you and your attitude.
What amenities are on-board?
S.Y. Cocal an incredibly well-stocked and well equipped boat for offshore charters. There are 4 heads with shower, sink and toilet. We can produce enough water for washing, showering and hand washing of laundry, but you will need to be careful about how much water you use. We’ll teach you how to have ‘boat showers'.
The galley has an electric stove with oven, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, kettle etc.2 fridges with freezer space will be well stocked with enough food and snacks for everybody for the entire trip. Bring your favourite recipes.
The Captain will stock the boat with plenty of snacks and drinks as well as provisions for one hot meal each day on passage and drinks from the on-board bar once the boat is docked. Please feel free to send an email with a few of your favourite food items as a request when you book your voyage.
If you have special dietary needs you will need to cater for yourself, if your ingredients are simple, send us a request list and we will see what we can do. You may teach all of us how to eat a healthy diet!
What to Pack
Once you've paid a deposit, you will receive specific instructions on how and what to pack. You can bring whatever you can fit in your Duffel-style bag that will make the trip comfortable for you. A good pair of deck shoes is a must (the deck gets VERY hot in the tropics and your feet need protection from the elements in cold climes.
Bring a form of identification, currency (USD’s are easy to exchange everywhere) and your passport.
If you will be bringing medications, please bring a copy of your prescription as well. And note that medication must at all times be kept in your private zone and not be accessible to anybody else.
The boat is fully-stocked with sunscreen, seasickness medication and a first-aid kit capable of treating cuts, wounds, rashes, fevers and infections. If you have specific brands that you prefer in any of the items mentioned feel free to bring them but bear in mind the liquid limitations on your flight.
It's NOT recommended to check your bag in, carry it as hand luggage if possible. Note that we cannot delay a departure because of lost luggage. Be sure to check what items are restricted by the airline you’re using and leave them at home if you don’t want them to be confiscated.
What's included in the price of a trip.
We know that it's important that you are well prepared for the trip but also that you are prepared for what it will cost you.
So this is a detailed list of what IS included:
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Skipper/Captain x 1
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Boat and all sailing equipment, safety equipment, dinghy & furnishings which includes pillows, sheets and towels.
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Food on board for the entire duration of a 'Leg' for all people on board. There will also be plenty of snacks. (Sailing is physically taxing and you will need to refuel!)
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Note that we will have one 'family style' meal (eat together) a day which will be before sunset. Everybody will have a turn in cooking this meal. For all other meals you will be expected to prepare them yourself BUT remember that being part of a team means that you should work together, so do ask your team mates if they want to share something you are preparing.
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Water, soft drinks & juice. We will supply some alcoholic beverages when conditions allow but not during navigation.
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Fuel for the specific trip.
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Satellite communication to send and receive emails during the trip.
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Fishing equipment- we hope that we can supplement our diet with freshly caught fish!
A sailing adventure of a lifetime!
Our suggested list of items to bring
1.
Foul weather jacket and lightweight waterproof trousers with bib. In cold weather/locations bring heavier and warmer gear.
2.
Layered cold weather gear (fleeces, flannels, long sleeves, light wind breakers, etc.)
3.
Wool socks and hat.
Gloves to keep warm and sailing gloves as an optional item.
4.
Deck shoes- any shoes that have grip and don’t leave marks. Make sure they are clean and free of debris/sand. These will be used on board only, so be sure to bring an extra pair of shoes for land exploration.
5.
Sun hat- one that protects your ears too is a good idea.
Good quality sunglasses, there’s lots of glare on the ocean and the sunglasses help stop eye strain.
Sunscreen (No oil please. Be mindful of airline regulations)
6.
Books, magazines, entertainment. You’ll be able to charge electronics on board, so a digital book is recommended in order to save space.
7.
Camera with waterproof bag and extra memory cards because you are sure to get tons of incredible shots!
8
Warm deck boots and 2 pairs of wool socks if we are sailing in cold areas.
9
Laptops aren’t recommended but if you do bring one be sure it’s in a waterproof bag, we will not be held responsible for any equipment (digital or otherwise) damaged or lost on the trip.
10
Water Bottle
Head lamp- red light is great
Waterproof bag for electronics and dinghy trips.
What you shouldn't bring
Sheets
Pillows
Towel
Ditch bag
Loads of cash
Laptop
Expensive items such as jewellery, gadgets, etc.