You can see the railing on the bow of a sailing ship gliding across the blue water.

Learning to sail: From dinghy to sailing yacht – tips for beginners

Learning to sail – Rattling sails, bright blue water and the fresh sea breeze sound wonderful at first.
But where do you start as a beginner?
Here you will find lots of tips on how to start your sailing adventure straight from the campsite.
This includes advice on preparing for the sailing course, the first trip and five beautiful destinations for your sailing vacation.

Sailing & camping?
That’s possible!

With a rooftop tent, you can set up camp anywhere as long as you have access to your sailing boat.
You don’t have to rely on fixed hotel rooms and can spend the night in a new place every day.
Sailing allows you to reach remote islands, coastal regions and bays that are inaccessible by car or on foot.
You have the opportunity to explore remote places and experience unique landscapes.
Sailing requires certain skills and knowledge, especially if you are steering the sailboat yourself.
It can be a challenge, but also a rewarding learning experience.
You can improve your sailing skills, learn new techniques and challenge yourself.
When you’re out with other sailors who are also camping, it often creates a great community.
You can exchange ideas, cook together and share experiences.

That’s why it pays to go camping while sailing:

    • Flexibility when camping: set up camp anywhere
    • Access to remote islands, coastal regions & bays
    • Challenge & learning experience while sailing
    • Improving sailing skills (techniques)
    • Community spirit & exchange with other sailors

Tips for beginners: sailing course, accessories & first trip

First of all, it is worth taking a sailing course at a sailing school or club.
In addition, an inland or sea sports boat license is also recommended.
This is even legally required for sailing boats with an auxiliary motor with over 15 hp.
You can find out more about a recreational boating license here: Learn to drive a motorboat.
If you want to go out on the sea and leave the three nautical mile radius around the coast, then you need the Sport Coastal Skipper’s License (SKS).
This will also help you when renting or chartering a sailing yacht.
It often serves as proof for the insurance company that the yacht is in capable hands.
The SKS is also internationally recognized in many countries.
Sailing basics at a glance:

  • Attend a course at the sailing school/club
  • Pleasure craft license recommended (required for auxiliary engines with over 15 hp)
  • More about the inland / sea sports license: Learn to drive a motorboat
  • Sport coaster license: recommended for chartering (renting) a sailing yacht

Sailing course: checklist for sailing school & boat types

To ensure that you are prepared for your sailing course, you should generally make sure that your sailing school or club has official certificates.
Groups should not be too large so that each participant can be given individual attention.
Groups of three to five participants are considered ideal.
As a rule, you start the sailing course with a dinghy.
This is a small, open and maneuverable sailing boat.
It is also worth asking lots of detailed questions during the course.
This ensures that nothing remains unanswered and you can better avoid dangerous situations later on.
After the course, you should have a good rest.
This will give you the energy you need for great sailing adventures the next day.
These points are important for your first sailing course:

  • Look for official certificates at the sailing school
  • Small groups of 3-8 participants
  • Starting out in a small dinghy
  • Dinghy: small, open & maneuverable sailing boat
  • Questions are important, then nothing remains unanswered
  • After the course: have a good rest

Ship’s language: Steering board, mast & co.

Here you will find a few terms from the sailor’s language that can help you with your first sailing course.

  • Breeze up: Wind gets stronger
  • Run off: Wind decreases
  • Lee: away from the wind direction
  • Windward: With the wind direction
  • Bow: tip of the boat
  • Stern: End of the boat
  • Control board: right
  • Backboard: left
  • Cranes: the boat is in an inclined position
  • Mast: protrudes upwards from the boat & holds the sail
  • Halyards: Ropes that raise the sail
  • Tiller: control stick for rudder

First trip: Sailboat, weather & auxiliary motor

When you first take your boat out on the water, it is worth starting with smaller boats.
You can then increase the size of your boat over time, but with a smaller boat you will initially have a better overview and can maneuver more easily.
It is also recommended that beginners do not start out on their own, but get help from experienced sailors after the sailing course.
You can then learn a lot more and have help at your side in an emergency.
You should pay attention to this before your first sailing attempts outside of the sailing course:

  • Start small (increase the size of the boats over time)
  • Don’t panic: Keep calm
  • Beginners not alone, but with other people on the boat
  • Experienced sailors are welcome, so you learn more and have help

Currents, weather & wind: you should pay attention to this!

It is also advisable to paddle in different waters, as this allows you to gain experience and get used to many different situations.
However, you should always keep an eye on the water and the weather.
Then you are less likely to be surprised by strange currents and strong storms.
If difficult situations do arise, it’s important to stay calm and not get overconfident.
If you pay attention to the weather, it can help if you choose a day with light winds for your first sailing trip.
Strong winds are often difficult for beginners.
You should also stay ashore if there is a storm warning.
However, if the opposite happens and you have no wind at all, the auxiliary motor is worthwhile.
It should therefore always be well maintained and checked before casting off.
Here is a summary of the tips on weather and water conditions:

  • Try out different areas: more experience on different waters
  • Pay attention to water & weather and don’t get overconfident
  • Recommended: light wind
  • Strong wind difficult for beginners
  • Storm warning: stay ashore
  • If there is no wind: use auxiliary motor (observe 15 hp rule)
  • Observe fog

Accessories: life jacket, shoes & gloves

You can usually get the boat and everything that goes with it from the boat rental company.
However, it is worth bringing a life jacket for yourself and everyone else on the boat.
You should also make sure you wear shoes with non-slip soles, as the deck on board is often wet, which can prevent falls.
You should also pack wind and weatherproof clothing in case the weather changes.
Sailing gloves are also recommended.
These protect against minor injuries and often also blisters.
Checklist for your sailing equipment:

  • Life jacket
  • Shoes with non-slip soles (floors on board are often wet)
  • Windproof / waterproof clothing for changing weather
  • Sailing gloves

Several sailing boats on calm water with mountains in the background

Tips for boating & sailing: Videos

In these videos you will once again find lots of helpful tips for starting your sailing adventure.

Boat explained: sheets, stern & foresail

In this video you will find many important technical terms on the boat explained so that you can prepare for your sailing course.
From bow to stern and from foresail to aft.
The basic functions of the respective components on the boat are also explained.
Among other things, you will learn which ropes, known as sheets, you need for which sails in which wind direction.
You will also receive tips on sailing techniques in different wind forces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0phBFOybw94

How do I get on the boat?
Clubs, platforms & co.

Here, two experienced sailors tell you about the different ways you can get on a boat.
It doesn’t always have to be rental or owning a boat, but you will also be introduced to platforms that offer you sailing experience.
They emphasize once again that the best way to learn to sail is by sailing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGw94zBqWqE

Top travel destinations: Germany, Spain & Co.

Here you will find great travel destinations in Germany, but also in neighboring France or a little further afield, such as Spain and Norway.

More activities & experiences for your vacation

Here you can find more activities on wheels and other activities for your vacation.

Water sports on vacation: canoeing, surfing, water skiing & co.

Whether on a canoe, motorboat, surfboard or water ski, water sports are a popular pastime on vacation.
A trip on or into the water is particularly popular when camping.
Whether it’s fishing, canoeing, swimming, sailing, surfing, diving, scuba diving, water skiing or wakeboarding, you’ll find lots of tips for beginners here.

Vacation activities: Water sports, winter sports & co.

Are you planning a vacation but still looking for activities for you, your family, your partner or just for yourself outside the campsite?
Here you’ll find lots of great ideas for experiences that will enrich your vacation.
With lots of tips for beginners!
So you can start from the very beginning and get your bearings.

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Offroad
Raised and extra stable for road and off-road… What do you do if you are traveling in regions with poor roads or drive an off-road vehicle or SUV whose dome height does not fit conventional trailers? The solution: the off-road tent trailer from CAMPWERK – specially developed for extreme conditions. This unique model impresses with a raised and particularly robust AL-KO chassis that can withstand even the most demanding off-road routes. The entire body is made of lightweight but sturdy aluminum, reinforced with durable stainless steel components. So you are perfectly equipped for any terrain.
Black / Silver
Available now: The CAMPWERK Offroader in the exclusive Black/Silver Edition CAMPWERK is expanding its range and now also offers the popular off-road tent trailer in the coveted Black/Silver Edition. The high-quality aluminium body is completely anodized in matt black, while the mudguards are powder-coated in elegant “Gun Silver Metal”. An absolute eye-catcher on any road and in any terrain!
The off-road trailer from CAMPWERK impresses with its lightweight construction: Thanks to the aluminum body, the base only weighs around 300 kg when empty. With a permissible total weight of 1.5 tons, it offers an impressive payload capacity of up to 1.2 tons – ideal for small excursions, transport and even larger expeditions.

Visually, the trailer blends in perfectly with the appearance of an off-road vehicle or SUV with its coarse-tread MT tires and robust, full-length aluminium mudguards. The mudguards are also designed in such a way that they are ideal for the safe transportation of petrol and water canisters or gas bottles.

To ensure flexibility, the off-roader’s tyres can be individually adapted to the towing vehicle on request, so that only one set of spare wheels is required. The standard ball head coupling can also be optionally replaced with a DIN or NATO eye.
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
  • Extra strong square T-drawbar 100x100mm for maximum stability and best maneuverability
  • Axle up to 1,500 kg with maintenance-free hexagonal rubber spring axle
  • Optionally with watertight wheel hub
  • 2 crossbars
  • The chassis is exclusively from the renowned manufacturer AL-KO, market leader in the car trailer and caravan sector
  • Safety indicator on the clutch
  • Independent suspension
Aluminum body
  • Our aluminium trailers are equipped with anodized aluminium profiles
  • double-walled anodized aluminium side panels 30mm, 440mm high
  • Large emergency lighting with integrated rear fog light
  • Equipped with balanced tires as standard
  • Base plate stable screen-printed base, non-slip
  • Complete M8 stainless steel screw connection (V2A stainless steel)
  • Electrical system: Supply cable (wiring harness) standard with 13-pin plug
  • Tailgate latches very elaborate, made entirely of stainless steel
Wheels
  • Black powder-coated steel rim
  • 235/85 R16 tires optionally adaptable to towing vehicle
  • Mud Terrain tire tread
  • Special wheel connection for your towing vehicle on request
Terrain values
  • 350 mm ground clearance
  • 570 mm wading depth
  • 27° slope angle
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Onroad

The perfect solution for your camping adventure:
Road trailer with tent
Imagine a first-class equipped road trailer that is ideal for camping trips in Germany and the surrounding countries.
This trailer comes with a sturdy holding device for a matching tent that can be set up in no time at all.
The result is your mobile home – ready for unforgettable tours!

Your decisive advantage: you are ideally equipped for your vacation in a particularly cost-effective way. And when you’re not on the road, you can use the trailer as a conventional utility trailer. We offer you the road trailer in two versions, depending on your needs: An unbraked version with a permissible total weight of 750 kg and the braked version recommended by us with a permissible total weight of 1,300 kg.
10-year guarantee
Our trailer base was not created in the laboratory – it was made for the real world. The robust construction is optimized for tough conditions. Oversized axles and virtually indestructible aluminum frames ensure exceptional durability. We are the only supplier in Germany to give you a 10-year guarantee on this unique quality!
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
  • 2 crossbars
  • Maintenance-free rubber spring axles
  • Independent suspension
  • The chassis is exclusively from the renowned manufacturer AL-KO, market leader in the car trailer and caravan sector
  • Safety indicator on the clutch
Aluminum structure
  • Our aluminium trailers are equipped with anodized aluminium profiles
  • double-walled anodized aluminium side panels 30mm, 440mm high
  • Large emergency lighting with integrated rear fog light
  • Equipped with balanced tires as standard
  • Base plate stable screen-printed base, non-slip
  • Complete M8 stainless steel screw connection (V2A stainless steel)
  • Electrical system: Supply cable (wiring harness) standard with 13-pin plug
  • Tailgate latches very elaborate, made entirely of stainless steel
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Material and processing.
The tent fabric of our trailer tents is made from a high-quality, 450 g blended fabric, also known as canvas. This unique combination of cotton and polyester combines the advantages of a natural fiber with those of a modern high-tech material. The result is a robust, breathable fabric that impresses with its pleasant feel and high dimensional stability.

The tent fabric, which is also used by the military, is impregnated and particularly tear-resistant thanks to the ripstop process. In this special weaving technique, thicker threads are woven into the fabric at intervals of around 10-15 millimetres, giving the fabric its characteristic tiled structure and exceptional tear resistance. It goes without saying that our fabrics are opaque and therefore offer optimum protection and privacy.
The basis of our trailer tents is a robust stainless steel frame with a thickness of 3×3 cm. A 1.8 cm thick, water-resistant wooden floor panel is securely fastened to this sturdy frame with stainless steel screws. The frame of the trailer tents is also made of galvanized steel tubing and special stainless steel components that ensure maximum stability. The modern surface finish not only offers a high level of corrosion protection, but also gives the material a pleasant feel and ensures a durable, weatherproof construction.
We rely exclusively on yarn from the German market leader Amann. Thanks to the combination of a cotton core and a high-tenacity polyester core, this yarn is characterized by a particularly high tensile strength and excellent water resistance.

On contact with water, the cotton coating swells and closes the seam holes created during sewing. For additional protection, all seams in the roof area are fitted with a transparent sealing strip to ensure maximum waterproofness.
Less is sometimes more.
We are often asked: What about the water column? For tent fabrics, the impermeability of the fabric is specified in the form of the water column. For cotton tents, this value is usually around 300 to 400 mm. However, our tent fabric offers an exceptionally high water column for cotton fabric of around 750 mm. This means that theoretically more than 75 cm of water can stand on the material before the first drops penetrate.

A major advantage of cotton as a natural raw material is its ability to swell when it gets damp, which provides additional waterproofing. In contrast, synthetic fabrics, which cannot swell, must have a much higher water column (between 3,000 and 10,000 mm, depending on the material) in order to achieve comparable waterproofness.
Good night.
The comfort sleep set consists of a high-quality visco foam mattress that adapts perfectly to the individual body shape, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. The set is complemented by the innovative Froli bed spring system, which guarantees an exceptional sleeping experience. Perfect sleeping comfort in a well thought-out overall package.
Premium mattress.
An excellent mattress is the basis for healthy and restful sleep. Just as every person is unique, their mattress should also be individually tailored to them.
Our premium mattress adapts perfectly to the contours of the body and promotes orthopaedically correct positioning of the spine. Thanks to targeted pressure relief, back muscles and intervertebral discs can relax optimally. The innovative construction and high-quality materials create an ideal sleeping environment.
There are no compromises at CAMPWERK: We rely on flexible visco foam with memory function. The unique combination of supportive foam core and relieving visco foam topper ensures maximum sleeping comfort.
  • Visco-elastic mattress.
  • High-quality Tencel® cover (38 % Tencel®, 62 % polyester).
  • Four practical turning loops.
  • Four-sided zipper.
  • Removable, divisible and washable.
  • Four practical turning loops.
Suspension.
Good ventilation is crucial for your well-being and sleep hygiene. To ensure maximum sleeping comfort, we combine our mattress with an innovative Froli slat base. The flexible spring elements form a comfortable slat base with individually adjustable firmness zones. This combination ensures orthopaedically correct positioning of the body and provides targeted, pressure-relieving support. This effectively prevents tension and one-sided strain. The open, air-permeable cells also enable optimum ventilation and create a healthy sleeping environment.
Are you allergic or do you have special health requirements? No problem! We cooperate with a renowned German mattress manufacturer to offer customized solutions. Simply contact us and together we will find the ideal mattress for your needs.