What to Buy for a Sailing Race

A sailing race needs more than boats and a marked course. You will need reliable safety equipment, clear start and finish signals, communication gear, registration supplies and practical items for the clubhouse or shore base. This shopping list covers the equipment and serving items used alongside the race plan, from lane buoys and mooring lines to life jackets, radios and reusable tableware. Check quantities against your fleet size, crew numbers and shore arrangements before buying or borrowing anything.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 100
Wine glassesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 10
Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Sports equipment

Lane buoysqty 8
Mooring linesqty 8
Anchorsqty 8
Start flagsqty 6
Finish flagsqty 2
Bib numbersqty 40
Whistlesqty 6
Life jacketsqty 12
Throw linesqty 4
Emergency blanketsqty 12
Lifeboat
Start boat

Equipment

Walkie-Talkiesqty 5
Megaphone
Sound system
Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef and serving knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 8
Stage backdrop

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
First aid kitsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Iced tea - 3 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,5 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Chicken satay - 6 kilo
- Vegetarian satay - 2 kilos
- Satay sauce - 3 kilos
- Pasta salad - 6 kilos
- Mixed green salad - 5 kilo
- Baguette with herb butter - 10 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted nuts - 3 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 60
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan one clearly labelled bib number and one start-number record for every entrant, plus a small spare set. Print the starting lists only after registrations and participant details have been checked.
Count safety equipment by person and by rescue position: provide a life jacket for every person who may go afloat, and keep throw lines and emergency blankets on each rescue boat or designated safety station.
Allow enough course hardware for every turning point, including a buoy, anchor and mooring line where required. Prepare spare line and at least one replacement marker so a damaged or drifting buoy does not stop the race.
Charge every marine radio and walkie-talkie before race day, then pack extension cords for the laptop, printer, megaphone and sound system at the shore base. Test the devices together before participants arrive.
Buy or borrow serving items according to the registered headcount, not the number of boats: reusable cups, plates, cutlery and coffee equipment are easy to overlook when the focus is on the water. Chill drinks before registration opens and keep waste bins near the clubhouse and seating.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a sailing race?: Plan life jackets for every person going afloat, plus throw lines, emergency blankets and a lifeboat or rescue boat. Keep the safety equipment with the rescue crew and check it before the first start.
How many course buoys do I need for a sailing race?: You need one lane buoy for each planned course mark or turning point, with an anchor and mooring line for every buoy that must stay in position. Add at least one spare buoy if the course cannot be reset quickly.
What should I buy for sailing race registration?: Prepare a registration desk, laptop, printer, bib numbers and printed starting lists. Print the final lists after registrations close and participant details have been checked, ideally at least one day before the race.
How much food and drink should I buy for a sailing race?: Use the confirmed participant and volunteer count as your base, then add about 10% for late helpers or extra servings. Provide reusable cups, plates, cutlery and coffee pots, and chill drinks before registration starts.

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