Offshore sailing has a way of teaching its lessons quietly. Not through instruction manuals or perfect forecasts, but through long hours, small decisions, and moments when comfort gives way to competence.
For those just beginning their offshore journey, there are truths that only time at sea reveals. Lessons learned not in theory, but through repetition, fatigue, weather, and reflection.
Here, experienced offshore sailors Calanach Finlayson and Maggie Adamson share the insights they wish they’d absorbed earlier.
As members of the doublehanded World Championship-winning team Solan Ocean Racing, both have represented Scotland on the world stage while remaining committed to sharing the deeper, life-shaping value of the sport. What follows is not about winning alone, but about sailing well, safely, and sustainably over time.
1. Tune Your Risk Tolerance
Knowing when to push and when to rein it in is one of the hardest skills to develop offshore.
Sail with experienced people whenever you can. You begin to calibrate what is genuinely risky versus what simply feels unfamiliar. Over time, judgement sharpens. Not because fear disappears, but because perspective grows.
2. Play the Long Game
Offshore races are rarely decided at the start line.
Patience matters. Conditions change. Fatigue levels shift. Opportunities appear when others lose focus. Stay present, stay conservative early, and make sure you’re still in the game when it counts.
3. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Sore hands. Wet kit. Broken sleep. Long watches.
Humans are remarkably adaptable. What feels overwhelming on day one often becomes manageable by day three. Accept discomfort as part of the process rather than a sign something is wrong. It does get easier.
4. Respect the Basics
Wind awareness. Boat handling. Trim. Balance.
There are no shortcuts that outlast strong fundamentals. Dinghy sailing, repetition, and understanding how a boat behaves instinctively will carry you further offshore than any clever workaround.
5. Look After Your Kit
Rinse it. Dry it properly. Store it well.
Your clothing and equipment are part of your safety system offshore. When conditions deteriorate, trust in your kit removes friction from decision-making. Reliable gear earns its value slowly, watch by watch.
6. Ask Questions
Every good sailor started by listening.
Most offshore sailors are generous with their knowledge if you’re willing to learn. Shared experience shortens the learning curve and helps you avoid mistakes that don’t need repeating.
7. Layer Properly, Not Excessively
Warmth comes from balance, not bulk.
If you can move freely, you’ll sail better. Too many layers restrict movement, slow reactions, and increase fatigue. A considered layering system keeps you warm, dry, and agile across changing conditions.
8. Make Decisions Early
Reefs. Clothing changes. Course calls.
The sea rarely rewards hesitation. Early, calm decisions reduce stress later and give you more control when conditions escalate. Acting sooner is often the most conservative choice.
9. Keep Showing Up
The best sailors aren’t fearless.
They’re consistent.
They turn up for training days, deliveries, races, and long passages. They keep learning. They keep refining. Progress offshore is built not on bravado, but on commitment over time.
Final Thought
Offshore sailing is not about mastering the sea. It’s about mastering yourself within it.
Every mile sailed adds quiet competence. Every lesson absorbed makes the next passage more measured, more intentional, and more rewarding.
And the learning never really stops.
