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When you spend weeks at sea, certain habits eventually start to seem perfectly normal. That?s the question Sailing Atypic posed to its community on social media: "Be honest... do you surf naked?" The responses?often funny, sometimes very serious?paint a fairly accurate picture of life on board.
At sea, the dress code is very simple
For many, the answer depends first and foremost on where the boat is. Out at sea, when there isn?t a single sail in sight, many boaters admit to easily ditching their T-shirts, shorts, and swimsuits. Some explain that this only happens to them during crossings, while others say it only happens when they?re at anchor in a quiet cove.
On the other hand, as soon as traffic increases or neighbors are nearby, people quickly put their clothes back on. Several internet users say they always cover up when there are children or boats nearby.
Ultimately, discretion seems to be a much more important rule than modesty.
Winches are a quick reminder that a boat isn't a beach
This is probably the topic that comes up most often in the comments.
Many people joke about the risk of getting ?a certain part of their anatomy? caught in a winch, a sheet, or a taut line. Behind the jokes, however, the message is very serious. In fact, many boaters say they?ve had a bad experience themselves or know someone to whom this has happened. Suffice it to say that some prefer to keep at least a pair of shorts on when maneuvers begin.
The sun is nice... up to a point
Long days at sea quickly make you want to soak up the sun. But many sailors point out that certain parts of the body don?t often get exposed to UV rays. And when those areas are exposed for several hours, the sunburn can last for several days.
Others also mention jellyfish, the cold weather encountered at certain latitudes, or simply the headwind, which makes the experience much less pleasant than expected.
Sailing in the tropics is definitely nothing like crossing the English Channel in the spring.
Everyone can do as they please, but not just anywhere
The responses also reveal a genuine sense of maritime etiquette. Even those who sail without clothes explain that they adapt their behavior to the circumstances. In a crowded anchorage, near a port, or when another boat passes very close by, many feel it is normal to put their clothes back on. Freedom is part of the DNA of recreational boating, but it also goes hand in hand with a sense of mutual respect among crews.
Since setting off on their round-the-world voyage in 2019, the Sailing Atypic crew has been sharing on social media the little moments that make up the daily life of a crew on a long-distance cruise. This time, a simple question was enough to spark a response from hundreds of sailors. Some responded with great humor, others with candor, and a few with caution. Almost all of them say the same thing: at sea, the feeling of freedom is incomparable.
But that freedom usually ends where the maneuvering begins, or when you get sunburned? or when the neighbor at the next mooring arrives in their dinghy at the wrong moment. That might be the best definition of sailing without clothes: a pleasure many enjoy, provided they choose the right spot, the right time, and keep an eye on the winches.
