A holiday on a sailboat: A dream, which particularly those suffering from celiac disease consider to be unachievable. Although, all that’s needed to fulfil this dream is the observance of a few precautionary measures and a little good will on the part of the fellow travellers.

Gluten-free galley
Space on the boat is quite limited: The galley is small and the separate preparation and correct storage of gluten-containing and gluten-free foodstuffs requires a well organised arrangement. Sailboats with skippers can be hired, and those who plan a half a day extra can ensure that the boat, the galley, the refrigerator and the food shelves are well cleaned and gluten-free before heading out to sea. We recommend those with celiac disease to take along their own cooking utensils and cutlery.

It is important that everyone on board eats the same. Therefore, it is essential that well-thought-out advance planning is made concerning which food supplies to take along or to get prior information to find out whether there are any gluten-free points of sale at the harbours where you intend to lie at anchor. We recommend that, before you set off, you should buy enough pasta, bread and sweet treats to take on board with you and sustain you throughout the entire journey, so that you only need to buy fresh foodstuff, vegetables, fruit, meat or fish, when you reach your respective destinations. Crackers, Pan carré or Landbrot/Pain Campagnard and sweet snacks are ideal snacks for in-betweens when travelling at sea.

Particular attention must be made to ensure that enough dry pastries, Grissini or Crackers are on board. If anyone should suffer from sea sickness, the best thing is for them to eat dry food or at least to occasionally nibble dry snacks. Incidentally, sea sickness is nothing to be ashamed about, because even the most rouged old barnacle can occasionally suffer from a bout of sea sickness. It usually takes about two days to get accustomed to the rocking of the waves. The important thing to remember is to spend as little time as possible below deck during a crossing. The best medicine is to simply lie down or to sleep.

The ABC of a gluten-free sailing holiday
1. Celiac disease is absolutely no reason not to go on a sailing trip.
2. Thoroughly clean the boat and the galley before setting off and take your own cooking utensils with you, if possible.
3. There are mostly no ovens on boats, therefore, take bread with you that doesn’t need baking. Landbrot, Panini and Pan carré provide something to suit every taste.
4. In addition to supermarkets with ranges of gluten-free products, you can even find specialised hotels, restaurants and much more on www.glutenfreeroads.com.
5. Everyone on board should eat the same. Gluten-free, of course. Buy pasta, bread and pastries beforehand! But where? That’s quite easy with Schär points of sale search world-wide.

What do I have to put in my kitbag?
The luggage needed for a sailing trip should fit in the famous sailor’s kitbag, because there is a shortage of storage space on board. Take without fail: Medication against sea sickness, such as plasters, armbands, chewing gum or tablets. You chemist will be happy to provide you with information. Remember during packing: It can become very cold out at sea at night, even in summer.
1 sleeping bag
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of shorts
1 sweatshirt
1 fleece pullover
2-4 T-shirts (long and short-sleeved)
1 anorak or cagoule (perhaps a pair of waterproof trousers)
2 pairs of shoes (one for the boat, and if you don’t have boat shoes you can also wear sneakers, if possible with light coloured soles).
Sun hat and dark sunglasses
Plenty of sun cream with a high level sun protection factor.