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Why Small Boat Cruising Demands Serious Preparation

There is something wonderfully freeing about slipping the lines on a small boat and nosing out of the harbour, with nothing but a flask of tea, a favourable forecast and a stretch of coastline ahead. But the very qualities that make small boat cruising so appealing — the intimacy with the water, the simplicity of the setup, the ability to tuck into quiet coves — also mean you have far less margin for error when conditions turn. A squall that a larger vessel shrugs off can feel very different when you are in a 5- or 6-metre open boat. Good seamanship starts with gear you can trust and know how to use, not gear that simply lives in a locker. Here is what I would want aboard before heading out along the British coast.

Life Jackets and Personal Floatation

This is the one item that should never be negotiable. Every person on board needs a life jacket or buoyancy aid that fits them properly — not one sized for an adult shoved onto a child, and not one so old that the straps have gone brittle or the gas cylinder has been fired and never replaced.

• Choose a life jacket over a buoyancy aid for open coastal water. A life jacket will turn an unconscious wearer face-up; a buoyancy aid will not.
• Check the firing mechanism and cylinder at the start of every season, and replace cartridges as the maker advises.
• Add a crotch strap so the jacket cannot ride up over the head in choppy water.
• Fit a light and a whistle to the jacket — if you end up in the water at dusk, you want to be findable.

Sprayhoods, harnesses and jackstays matter on bigger boats, but on a small open cruiser the priority is simply that everyone wears flotation, all the time, without debate.

Communication: VHF and a Backup

A fixed DSC VHF radio is the gold standard, but on a small open boat a quality handheld is often the practical choice. Make sure it is waterproof, charged, and that you have registered for a licence and know how to make a distress call properly. The coastguard would far rather hear a clear Mayday with your position than a garbled call with no detail.

• Carry a handheld VHF in a waterproof pouch on your person, not rattling loose in a locker.
• Keep a fully charged mobile in a waterproof case as a backup, but never as your primary means of calling for help.
• Note the local coastguard channel and the harbourmaster's frequency before you leave.
• Tell someone ashore your route, your expected return time and who to ring if you are overdue.

Flares, Lights and Distress Signals

Distress signals remain a vital part of the kit, particularly in areas with patchy radio coverage. Modern LED distress flares are increasingly popular because they are safer to store and dispose of than pyrotechnics, but many skippers still carry traditional flares as well.

• Carry a mix of handheld and parachute flares, and check the expiry dates each spring.
• Store flares in a dry, dedicated container away from damp and heat.
• Know how to fire them — read the instructions before you ever need them, and brief your crew.
• Pack a powerful waterproof torch and spare batteries for night passages or late returns.

Remember that flares are for genuine emergencies. Use them only when you believe life is in danger, and always follow the maker's guidance on safe deployment.

First Aid and Personal Comfort

Cold, wet and tired crew make poor decisions, and minor injuries become serious fast when you are miles from help. A well-stocked first aid kit built for the marine environment is essential.

• Waterproof plasters, dressings and tape that will actually stick to damp skin.
• Seasickness tablets — take them before you feel unwell, not after.
• Painkillers, antiseptic and a thermal blanket for shock and hypothermia.
• Sun cream and lip balm, even on grey days; reflection off the water is unforgiving.
• A printed first aid guide, because signal and battery may fail when you need them most.

Clothing is part of your safety kit too. Layered, quick-drying gear with a proper waterproof outer shell, non-slip deck shoes and a warm hat will do more for your endurance than almost anything else aboard.

Checking the Forecast and Planning the Trip

No amount of kit replaces good judgement. Before every trip, check a reliable marine forecast for wind strength, direction, sea state and visibility, and look at the trend for the hours you plan to be out, not just the morning. Know your boat's limits and your own. A flat calm at the slipway can become a lumpy chop by mid-afternoon as the sea breeze builds.

• Check the tide tables for height, times and local currents.
• Identify bolt holes — harbours or sheltered bays you can run to if the weather turns.
• Plan for fuel with a generous reserve; small tanks empty faster than you think.
• Brief your crew on where the safety gear lives and how to use it.

Cruising our coastline in a small boat is one of the great pleasures of waterfront living, whether you keep a tender on a mooring or trail a boat down to the slip on a sunny Saturday. With the right kit aboard, a sensible plan and an honest respect for the sea, those quiet afternoons pottering between headlands become the memories you keep for years.