Sailing kayaks are generally single-hulled, but some people put two kayaks together to create a catamaran-like vessel with two hulls. This is done using stabilizer bars, which keeps the kayaks together and allows you to control them as one unit. A single sail is usually enough to power the entire contraption. Experts recommend using two similar kayaks, although many boaters have successfully put hard and inflatable kayaks together.

A less common arrangement is called the trimaran, which, as the name suggests, is a three-hulled version of the catamaran. This includes a standard kayak hall and two small outrigger boats on either side, providing stability. Besides the main sail, you’ll need a smaller spinnaker to power the boat, according to Triak, a leading manufacturer of trimarans.

Spinnakers, which are basically lightweight sails, help push your boat along when the winds are light. Experienced sailors can fly spinnakers at speeds of up to 15 knots, but you may want to give it a few test runs if you’re new to it. It goes just in front of the main sail, and works by catching wind from either side with the sailor tacking back and forth.

Alternatively, you can use an airfoil sailing rig. This rig uses a stiff sail framed with wood or composite battens running across the sail. It’s a little unusually shaped, but it goes remarkably fast and works well with leeboards in preventing side slippage. The speed can compromise stability, but this is easily remedied with an outrigger. Whatever you choose, be prepared to shell out a good sum for your kayak rig: the simplest ones start at $200 and high-end asymmetrical models can run close to $1,000.

Kayak sailing is fairly easy if you have some sailing experience, but weather considerations play a much bigger role. Too much wind can cause the small, light vessel to overturn, and a sail that’s much too powerful can cause side slipping. Take time to consider your boat design—you may want to install a daggerboard or leeboard for stability. You may also want to give it a test run beforehand, as different tacking techniques may take some getting used to.

Stop oil leaks: Oil is commonly discharged from the bilge, especially if the engine isn’t properly tuned. The best way to prevent this is obviously to make sure your engine is tuned at all times. In addition, you can block possible drips by placing an absorbent pad under the engine’s most drip-prone areas. Check them often and replace then when they get too heavy—and make sure to dispose of them at a safe place.

Avoid oil change spills: When changing your oil, make sure to put it in a spill-proof vessel and keep it all in place by using an oil pump. Cover the filter with an absorbent pad, like the ones above, or use a plastic bag around the oil filter to keep it from spilling.

Refuel slowly: Avoid wasting fuel by filling up slowly, so that none of the fuel is released onto the ground or water. This will also give you time to catch small spills with a rag or absorbent pad. Only fill your tank up to about 90%, so that the fuel has room to expand as the temperature goes up. When spills do happen, don’t try to clean them up with soap—this doesn’t take them out of the water, and it’s even more harmful to the surroundings. It’s also illegal in most places.

Use safe bottom paints: Many boat paints are designed to prevent damage from the elements, but they tend to be toxic to marine environments. For the hull, which has the most contact with the water, use a nontoxic paint—many brands now offer anti-fouling varieties that don’t do as much damage to the water.

Clean on land: Do as much of your maintenance work as possible on land. Cleaning in water releases the dirt and cleaning chemicals into the ocean, and it’s much harder to clean up than on land. Note that paying greywater charges in marinas doesn’t reduce the damage; it’s mostly a way to discourage the practice.

It’s always best to start kids of early so they’ll get used to the ups and downs of sailing. Some avid boaters take their kids to the water as young as six months, but it all really comes down to how much responsibility you’re willing to take. If you plan on doing regular sailing holidays, the first few trips are a good way to literally get their feet wet.

You can get child seats made especially for boats, but these tend to be pricey and most of them don’t do much that regular car seats can’t. A good, easy-to-carry car seat not only keeps them comfy on the boat, but also goes nicely into aircraft compartments and under tables when you’re at a restaurant. On the go, you may want a separate baby pouch to keep your hands free when boarding and leaving the craft.

On-board safety is understandably most parents’ primary concern. Needless to say, you’ll want an accessible life jacket of the right size. Children over age 7 generally need their own life jackets, and it’s always best to try them on to make sure they’re easy to put on and comfortable to wear. A good policy is to have them wear it on board at all times, but it’s particularly important to enforce this after dark.

One of the most useful things you can do is introduce the child to the skipper and remind them as often as possible to do as the skipper says. Skippers probably have the best feel of how the ride is going and will know the earliest when to take safety measures. If you’re on a chartered boat, ask if they have vessels with child netting on the side rails. This is especially important for toddlers, who are often the most curious and gravitate towards the edge.

Again, most important safety measure you can take is to train your child for sailing. This means not just reiterating do’s and don’ts, but getting them used to being in the water and the fact that it’s not as safe as playing on land. The first few trips might be hard, but as they get the hang of it, sailing with the family becomes less of a challenge and more of a real vacation.

The Mexican coast: Although parts of it are technically in the Caribbean region, Mexico has a vast coastline boasting several world-class ports. The most important of these include Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco, home to some of the country’s best sights and a lively nightlife to boot. Although they’re pretty popular as vacation destinations go, sailors have the distinct advantage of seeing the area from a different point of view and really appreciating its beauty. Try to plan your cruise for the late summer to early spring (November to April in the region), where temperatures start to go down and it’s not as hot and humid as the peak of summer.

The South Pacific: If you have a fairly generous budget and don’t mind the long-haul trip, this is definitely worth checking out. The South Pacific is home to some famous islands, including Fiji and Tahiti, as well as some lesser known (but equally scenic) ones, such as Kiribati and Tonga. Whichever one you choose, it’s a cultural experience more than anything else: the food, the music, the scenery, and the pace of life are as unique as they get. Because they’re so remote, visits to these islands are almost like a trip to another century, although there’s no shortage of modern amenities either. It’s also a good destination for chartered trips, as the higher price often includes luxury features.

The Norwegian Fjords: Scandinavia hardly paints the picture of a tropical paradise, but if you’re on a budget, it’s definitely worth a look. The fjords of Norway offer some of the most unforgettable sights that sailing can offer, from imposing glaciers to sky-high waterfalls. Costs can be as much as 30% lower than in other destinations as it’s still an up-and-coming tourist site, but prices might go up in the next few years. The warmer months of June to August are the best times to go, but they also tend to be more crowded as the area is popular among travelers from the UK and continental Europe.

One such myth is that catamarans aren’t ideal for docking because of their width. This may have been true before the boat was developed for widespread leisure use and before marinas recognized their popularity. Today’s manufacturers and marina owners have taken that into account. Most catamarans now dock comfortably just outside the usual T-docks, in slips designed for larger powerboats, or even in shallow slips that other yachts can’t dock in.

Many sailors also believe the multi-hull construction makes it hard to point and that they need a dagger board to get the same performance as a standard sailboat. The design does make a difference, but it’s not a crippling one, and only fairly old models will call for a dagger board to sail upwind. If you’re sailing upwind, at the end of the day it’s really about how the hull and keel are designed. Most modern catamarans have cross-section hull and keel constructions, which is far more efficient.

Perhaps one of the biggest myths about catamarans is that they’re prone to capsizing. This is mostly because of their size and speed; often, sailors who are more used to the leisurely speed of their sailboats will lose control of a smaller, faster one. If this seems to be your case, you’ll want a cruising catamaran, which has a lower power-to-weight ration and thus will be easier to control. This is the type most commonly used for leisure purposes, and it’s been proven to hold even in the most demanding conditions. In fact, with modern catamarans equipped with conservative rigs and watertight hull compartments, they have a rather impressive safety record compared to other sailboats.

Much of the hype—and doubt—surrounding catamarans comes from the fact that they’re not equally popular everywhere. They are most commonly seen in active sailing communities, and those who come from elsewhere have doubts about their reliability. But although larger sailboats are more advisable for long-term ownership and frequent use, catamarans are worth a try if you’re just into casual sailing or are looking to try something new.

Yacht charters generally cost about as much as a hotel stay, and that includes most of the services. Experienced yachters may be concerned about the quality and reliability of chartered boats, but these days, that’s no longer an issue. Charter companies are now subjected to rigid safety requirements and must meet certain standards for equipment and crew training. Indeed, the industry has grown enough in the past few years so that the price-to-quality ratio is better than ever.

Charters can be organized a number of ways, depending on your needs and budget. The simplest way to go is a bareboat charter, which means you get the boat and little else. You have to supply your skipper and crew (most companies require that they be qualified) and take care of everything else. Flotilla sailing will include a lead skipper who draws up daily itineraries and gives advice on mooring, notable sights, and other local matters. You can also choose to get a skipper and crew who will either help with the sailing or take the helm altogether Boat charters also have the benefit of flexibility; you can go as close or as far from home as you’d like.

The type of boat you get should depend on your preferences and experience. If you’ve done a lot of sailing and have your own boat, you may want to try a different kind—but if you’re doing this, it’s best to get at least a skipper to help you around. As for the size, pretty much any boat can be chartered, from small family vessels to luxury yachts over 100 feet long. Not all companies will offer them all, of course, so make sure to write down your requirements before shopping around.

When choosing a charter, make sure to look up the company’s fleet and compare them to others in terms of price and quality. A large fleet doesn’t always mean a company is reliable; a better guideline would be the number of years they’ve been in service and the areas they operate in. The longer they’ve been around and the more areas they know, the more established and organized they probably are.

Some people insist on doing the cleaning themselves to save money and make sure the job is done their way. But for most of us, it’s just too time-consuming and it’s a lot simpler to leave it to the pros. And for the most part, getting a professional cleaning is more worth your money, and not just because it’s convenient. For instance, cleaning services provide skilled divers to clean out hard-to-reach parts of your hull while it’s safely on the water, saving you considerable time and effort. They also have specialized tools that tackle built-up dirt and deposits that DIY cleaning cannot.

Professional cleaners can also inspect your boat for damage and potential problems while they’re at it. A good company provides its divers with training in problem detection and corrosion control, so they can draw your attention to issues before they cause major damage. If you’re already paying for a similar service, you can save money by getting it as part of a hull-cleaning package—and if you choose the right company, the inspection will be just as thorough.

Another reason to opt for professional cleaning is environmental protection. Household or store-bought hull cleaning products aren’t always safe for the waters; some contain harmful chemicals that can affect water quality and permanently damage local marine life. Cleaning companies with a strong environmental thrust use only water-friendly products that nonetheless do the job. Often, these products will also be gentler to your hull paint and finish, unlike commercial products that can wear off these layers after just a few cleanings. Not all cleaning companies will be eco-friendly, of course, so this will require some research on your part.

How often you get your hull cleaned depends on how often you take it out and what conditions it’s normally exposed to. What’s important, however, is that you get it done at regular intervals, so that slime and attaching organisms don’t have time to build up over time. It can be a drag, but the difference in fuel costs, performance, and overall life of your boat is well worth the trouble.

They say if you buy only one thing for your boat, it should be a compass—when all else fails, you want to at least find your way to land. You’re probably familiar with two types, magnetic and electronic. Many boaters are skeptical of the latter and swear by magnetic pointing, a technology that’s worked for decades. But electronic compasses have improved considerably since their early days, and if you buy from an established manufacturer, there’s really not much of a difference. What you should look for is size and readability: you want something that you can read in any condition. As long as it can be mounted, bigger is usually better when it comes to compasses.

Next, you’ll want a depth finder to help you scope out shallow spots. This will help you avoid getting stuck and damaging your boat, especially in areas where shallow waters can be deceiving. More importantly, it’ll keep you from hitting the seabed and damaging the structures, something that many governments are strict about. Choose one with a wide field of view or at least two field of view settings. Many GPS units have depth finders built in, so this can be a good investment if you’re often sailing in unfamiliar waters—just make sure no efficiency is sacrificed for the convenience.

You’ll also need a good, clear VHF radio for communicating with other boats and calling for help when you need it. Today’s cell phones can do the job just fine, but a radio is your backup for when there are no cell towers in range. VHF signals are monitored by the Coast Guard, unlike cell phone signals, so it’s a great security tool. You can increase your signal by installing an antenna on-board. You can choose between a mounted or a hand-held unit—the latter is often seen in older models, but they will work just fine for most situations.

For the views: If you like a good panoramic view, you’ll probably be attracted to pristine waters close to the mountains and lush greenery. Fortunately there are a lot of them around—most marinas offer at least a passable view. But for something really breathtaking, try traveling to Sardinia, off the coast of Italy, for a dip in Porto Cervo. The seaside resort and marina offers a picture-perfect view of the Mediterranean almost year-round, with unforgettable sunsets and excellent seafood to boot. Yas Marinain in Abu Dhabi and Port Hercule in Monaco are close runner-ups.

For tourism: Sight-seeing and restaurant-hopping are part of a good sailing holiday. Luxury marinas tend to attract good tourism infrastructure, so you’ll have a lot of choice no matter what you’re looking for. Capri, another Italian island, is a good choice for nature and culture enthusiasts. Among the dozens of sites to visit are the Blue Grotto, a world-famous sea cave; Monte Solaro, the highest peak on the island and home to unique rock formations and a variety of birds; and the Casa Rossa (Pink House), a mixture of architectural styles that’s sure to catch the eye of art appreciators. St-Tropez in Côte d’Azur, France is also a popular choice; its landscapes and architecture have been depicted by dozens of artists including Renoir, Matisse, and Cézanne.

For facilities: Some of us like to stay practical and choose spots where it’s safest or most comfortable. If that sounds like you, you’re probably after the best docking facilities and maintenance services. These marinas are especially ideal for seafaring vessels, which face a harsher dose of the elements. Port de Cannes in Côte d’Azur tops the list of most avid boaters, with its high focus on environmental protection and vessel security. Port de Gustavia in Guadeloupe is also known for efficient management and top-rated service. All this may cost you a premium, but arriving in low seasons can help you get discounts.

Alternative lighting options came about as people started seeking less power-hungry lighting solutions. Light bulbs tend to eat up energy, and with electricity costs going up, it was getting expensive to have them on board. LED lights use a fraction of the energy, last much longer, and have been used in households and consumer electronics for several years. The first LED lights were not as bright or high-powered, but the technology has improved and today’s units are just as good as daylight fluorescent lamps. They were an obvious choice for other applications, including boat lighting—except that they were a lot more expensive.

LED lighting is more expensive because the bulbs themselves cost more to produce. The raw materials are harder to get, and the designs don’t usually lend themselves well to large-scale production. All this means that the higher costs are passed down to consumers. You can expect to pay twice as much, or sometimes more, for an LED unit compared to a light bulb or fluorescent lamp. Installing them on your boat is another matter; on older vessels this may involve some rewiring or even rearranging some fixtures.

But the price is a one-time cost, and if you choose well, you can save enough in energy costs to offset the difference and even make a profit. Today’s LED lights are 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last about twice as long, assuming regular use. Maintenance and energy costs can drop by almost 80% for most boat owners. Versatility is also another plus; you can use LED lighting for interior cabins, spreader lights, and pretty much any other part of the boat.

If you’ve had your old lighting system in place for years, the change may be a little hard to implement, especially when you’re on a budget. But studies and experience have both proven that LED lighting is well worth the trouble, regardless of what vessel you have and what you use it for. When it’s time to give your boat a makeover, a change in lighting is definitely worth considering.