From Dinghies to the Ocean: Different Types of Sailboats, Different Ways to Experience the Sea
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What does your first tack on an Optimist have in common with a night in the Atlantic aboard an IMOCA? The basics, probably: reading the wind, trimming a sail, holding a course. Beyond that, they're worlds apart.
Sailing isn't one single sport: it comes in many forms and shapes. Each one has its own ways of being on water, its own types of sailboats and its own technical gear, built for the job. Every discipline tells a different story, and the one you practice shapes the relationship you'll have with the sea.
It all starts here. For many sailors, the first real contact with the sea happens on an Optimist: the boat synonymous with sailing school and a first taste of racing. As you grow, you move on to livelier, more responsive sailing dinghies, single- or double-handed, like the OpenSkiff, ILCA 4, RS Feva, 420 and 29er.
These classes teach you the fundamentals: reading the wind, steering the boat, keeping your balance, nailing a start, learning the first racing rules and building tactical instinct. There's no better place to learn how to sail. Single-handers build independence and control, while doubles introduce teamwork and coordinated manoeuvres.
In spring and summer, the essentials are lycra tops, technical tees and caps. As it gets cooler, spray tops, neoprene and thermal layers come into play. For clubs and teams, coordinated kit (bermuda shorts, polos and junior jackets) also matters for prize-givings and formal moments.
There's just one rule: complete freedom of movement.
The OD Jr Tech Hooded T-Shirt will protect you in a variety of weather conditions, reaching a total protection of 50+ UPF. For training days or regattas, it features an integrated high-neck hood, which can be converted into three modes. Lightweight and breathable, it is made of recycled stretch fabric that is windproof and durable. Perfect for those trips in warm, sunny weather.
Ideal for young sailors who spend hours in the sun on a boat or surfing, the Lycra Foil Jr Rashguard LS offers UV protection, elasticity and abrasion resistance. With a close, quick-drying fit and flat seams, it guarantees freedom of movement while preventing skin irritation.
Iconic waterproof and windproof sailing jacket, suitable for many occasions, even ashore. The Kid Sailing Jacket is ideal for competitive club teams, who can customise it with their own embroidered pennant.
The Jr Sailing Warm Jacket is the perfect option for a child who spends time outdoors. A warm yet water-, wind- and cold-resistant garment made of robust yet lightweight Taslon 228T nylon.
Foiling is one of the newest developments in sailing. Wingfoil, windsurf foil, iQFOiL, kite foil, WASZP, Switch and other single- or double-handed boats, right up to the Olympic Nacra 17, lift the hull clear of the water and take sailing somewhere faster, more physical and more reactive. Everything speeds up, every shift of weight changes the trim, and a mistake costs you instantly. More than strength, it takes anticipation: reading the wave a moment before it arrives.
Foiling gear comes down to three things: close-fitting, stretchy, stable. It has to move with the body without ever getting in the way, and protect against wind, water, impact and UV.
In spring and summer, think lightweight pieces, rashguards, technical shorts and UV protection. When it gets colder, neoprene, long johns and thermal tops become essential.
Foil Aero Top is the most advanced garment we have ever developed for foiling. Created through close collaboration with Olympic athletes Tita–Banti, it uses wind-tunnel-tested aerodynamic fabrics to reduce turbulence and remain stable on the body when speeds become truly high.
Foil Aero Bib is the aerodynamic bib developed for sailors racing on foil boats at extremely high speeds. Compression, stability and protection work together to support the body and reduce air resistance when you are fully exposed to the airflow.
Foil Board Short 2.0 is a technical short designed for foil disciplines. Freedom of movement, quick-drying performance and UPF 50+ sun protection make it ideal for intense sessions, with a construction built to withstand continuous contact with the boat.
Single-handed dinghies like the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7, doubles like the 470 Mixed, fast skiffs like the 49er and 49erFX, iQFOiL boards, Formula Kite and foiling catamarans like the Nacra 17 make up an extraordinarily varied field. A reminder of just how many types of sailing boats the sport holds.
Each class calls for its own skills. In single-handers it comes down to helming, physical stamina and tactical reading. In doubles, communication and clear roles are decisive. In skiffs and foiling multihulls, speed demands precision, balance and quick reactions. Boards and kites add an even more athletic dimension, tied to body control and handling power.
The discipline may change, but the logic always stays the same: lightweight fabrics, freedom of movement, breathability, fit.
In summer, you should choose UV-protective pieces that dry fast and are built for intense activity. As temperatures fall, base layers, long johns, spray tops and technical midlayers become more and more important.
Crew Sunblock SS 2.0 - Men short-sleeve technical T-shirt for sailing with UV protection UPF 40+
Crew Sunblock LS 2.0 is a technical long-sleeve top designed as a first layer for sun protection while sailing. It offers comfort, breathability and UPF 40+ UV protection for prolonged use under the sun.
OD Tech Polo is a technical polo designed for active summer sailing. Made from a lightweight, breathable fabric, it combines high performance, UPF 50+ sun protection and a clean design, making it ideal for intense activity on board.
OD WS Tech Polo ist ein technisches Polohemd für das sommerliche Segeln. Gefertigt aus einem leichten und hoch atmungsaktiven Material, vereint es hohe Performance, UV-Schutz UPF 50+ und ein klares Design, ideal für intensive Aktivitäten an Bord.
The OD Drirelease Polo LS is a technical polo shirt with unexpected qualities. As soft as cotton, this garment works just like a racing jersey: breathable, lightweight, and quick-to-dry. When it's really hot and you're in the sun for hours, this Polo is the perfect choice to have on your skin. Comfortable, dry, cool.
From dinghy to team boat: the RS21, Melges 24, J/70, SB20 and Este 24 – small one-design keelboats – mark the step from single-handed sailing to crewed racing. These boats stay compact and responsive, but sailing becomes a collective effort. Everyone aboard has a precise role, and every manoeuvre demands coordination.
Racing is usually close, technical and tactical. Starts, crossings, hoists, drops, side changes and trim have to be executed with precision. The boat moves thanks to the crew's work and its ability to hold speed and trim through every phase.
Here the gear you wear has to keep up with the pace of racing and the intensity of the manoeuvres, while matching the crew's coordinated look. Technical polos, gilets, softshells, light jackets, salopettes, deck shoes and accessories are the building blocks of a complete kit.
In summer, breathability, sun protection and quick drying come first. When wind and cold pick up, you turn instead to waterproof pieces, base layers, midlayers and more structured protection.
OD Tech Polo is a technical polo designed for active summer sailing. Made from a lightweight, breathable fabric, it combines high performance, UPF 50+ sun protection and a clean design, making it ideal for intense activity on board.
OD WS Tech Polo ist ein technisches Polohemd für das sommerliche Segeln. Gefertigt aus einem leichten und hoch atmungsaktiven Material, vereint es hohe Performance, UV-Schutz UPF 50+ und ein klares Design, ideal für intensive Aktivitäten an Bord.
Altura Tech Short is a technical sailing short designed for everyday work on board. Made from abrasion-resistant stretch double weave fabric, it combines durability, comfort and stability, positioning itself as the summer evolution of the Pro Tech trousers.
Altura WS Tech Short is a women’s technical sailing short designed for everyday work on board. Made from high abrasion-resistant stretch double weave fabric, it combines durability, comfort and stability, representing the summer evolution of the Pro Tech pant in a women’s-specific design.
Altura Amphibio Short is a technical amphibious bermuda designed to move naturally between boat, water and land. Lightweight, comfortable and quick-drying, it is intended to support activity during the hottest days.
A four-season mid-layer designed for every outing. A full zip, two side pockets and an inner grid fleece structure make for a warm, breathable and perfect option both on its own and under a waistcoat or jacket. On deck, on land, on the road: be ready for anything.
A four-season mid-layer designed for every outing. A full zip, two side pockets and an inner grid fleece structure make for a warm, breathable and perfect option both on its own and under a waistcoat or jacket. On deck, on land, on the road: be ready for anything.
OD Long John - waterproof bib designed for sailors with high breathability
The One Design Hybrid Vest is a waistcoat designed to fit neatly under a shell or over a first layer. Padded with primaloft, lightweight, mini ripstop stretch fabric and a close fit, it protects the torso and back while allowing all the freedom of movement you need. A perfect option even on its own after racing.
Big one-designs and maxi yachts take crewed sailing to another level. The ClubSwan, Swan One Design, TP52, Maxi and other international-circuit boats demand organisation, precision and highly specialised roles.
On board, there are large crews, often with expert technical backgrounds. From sail trim to weight management, every manoeuvre involves several people, and every detail can shape speed. It's powerful, orderly sailing, where performance is the product of the whole crew working as one.
Technical gear has to answer both the demands of racing and the crew's coordinated image. Technical polos, gilets, softshells, light jackets, bibs, deck shoes and accessories all become part of a complete kit.
In summer, breathability, sun protection and quick drying come first. In autumn and winter, you need waterproof garments, base layers, midlayers and more protection.
Tech Piqué Shirt LS is a long-sleeve technical polo designed for sailing and the moments that come with it. Breathable piqué fabric, UPF 50+ sun protection and a regular fit make it suitable for activity on board, on the dock and for regatta-related representational settings.
Altura QD Polo is a technical quick-dry polo designed for summer sailing and prolonged activity in warm conditions. Lightweight, breathable and fast drying, it delivers comfort and UPF 20+ sun protection while maintaining a clean, orderly look.
Crew Shoes is the technical shoe designed to outfit crews and teams with a clean, uniform and elegant look, without compromising on comfort, grip and functionality. A unique solution for those who want visual consistency and real performance both on board and ashore.
The Altura Jacket is a waterproof and breathable sailing jacket designed for coastal sailing and winter racing. High protection, comfort and a distinctive design make it a reliable choice for frequent use on board and during colder days.
Altura Bib is the waterproof bib designed for coastal sailing and winter racing. It provides reliable protection, long-lasting comfort and freedom of movement, becoming the natural complement to the Altura Jacket to face variable winter conditions.
Here you step into a different dimension. You're no longer sailing just around the buoys, but along longer courses. Often near the coast, among islands, headlands, wind shifts and changeable weather.
The main difference between these kinds of racing is mainly the amount of time spent at sea. A coastal race might last a few hours, a short offshore leg can run into the night, while true offshore sailing calls for watches, managing fatigue, attention to safety and the ability to handle shifting conditions.
In the warmer months, the essentials are quick-dry polos, technical shorts, hats, sunglasses and UV protection.
When wind, cold or longer passages set in, base layers, midlayers, a waterproof jacket, salopettes, gloves, thermal hats and offshore-grade life jackets all come into play.
Altura QD Polo is a technical quick-dry polo designed for summer sailing and prolonged activity in warm conditions. Lightweight, breathable and fast drying, it delivers comfort and UPF 20+ sun protection while maintaining a clean, orderly look.
Altura Tech Short is a technical sailing short designed for everyday work on board. Made from abrasion-resistant stretch double weave fabric, it combines durability, comfort and stability, positioning itself as the summer evolution of the Pro Tech trousers.
Altura WS Tech Short is a women’s technical sailing short designed for everyday work on board. Made from high abrasion-resistant stretch double weave fabric, it combines durability, comfort and stability, representing the summer evolution of the Pro Tech pant in a women’s-specific design.
Altura Amphibio Short is a technical amphibious bermuda designed to move naturally between boat, water and land. Lightweight, comfortable and quick-drying, it is intended to support activity during the hottest days.
OD Visor is the technical visor from the One Design collection, designed to provide effective sun protection for the face, lightness and stability while sailing. Ideal for the hottest days and for intense on-board activity.
The Altura Jacket is a waterproof and breathable sailing jacket designed for coastal sailing and winter racing. High protection, comfort and a distinctive design make it a reliable choice for frequent use on board and during colder days.
Altura Bib is the waterproof bib designed for coastal sailing and winter racing. It provides reliable protection, long-lasting comfort and freedom of movement, becoming the natural complement to the Altura Jacket to face variable winter conditions.
The One Design Hybrid Vest is a waistcoat designed to fit neatly under a shell or over a first layer. Padded with primaloft, lightweight, mini ripstop stretch fabric and a close fit, it protects the torso and back while allowing all the freedom of movement you need. A perfect option even on its own after racing.
The Mini 6.50, Figaro, Class40, IMOCA, Ultim and the boats racing in events like the Vendée Globe and The Ocean Race take on enormous distances, brutal conditions and long stretches far from land.
Here the boat becomes a place of work, life and endurance. The sailor has to manage course, weather, sails, energy, sleep, safety and maintenance. Conditions can turn fast, and you're constantly exposed to water, wind and cold.
Ocean gear has to protect over long stretches at sea, even months. Offshore oilskins, high-waisted bibs, thermal base layers, warm midlayers, boots, gloves, hoods, high collars, reflective details and safety systems all become indispensable. The main goal is to stay dry, warm and sharp even after many hours on deck.
Ocean Jacket is the most advanced ocean sailing jacket developed by SLAM. Designed and tested alongside ocean navigators facing the toughest offshore challenges, it combines extreme protection, comfort and reduced weight in a garment built to perform in constantly changing conditions, on deck and below.
Ocean Bib is the most technical ocean bib trousers developed by SLAM. Designed and tested together with sailors facing the toughest ocean challenges on the planet, it delivers total protection, long-lasting comfort and full freedom of movement in constantly changing conditions.
From the Optimist to ocean racing, every one of these types of sailboats and disciplines tells a different way of experiencing the sea. Some disciplines teach you the first manoeuvres, other ones allow you to fly on the water, Olympic ones are built on precision and intensity. Then the one-design world, where the where the crew works as a single team, and offshore sailing, where the passage is measured in time, endurance and the ability to read ever-changing conditions.
The speed, the type of sailboat, the roles on board all change, but one thing is always the same: the direct, unfiltered relationship with the sea.