SAILING - going nowhere ,slowly, at great expense, while feeling ill.

Sailing Notes

  1. Please be at the dock on time.

  2. Before boarding, use the shore bathroom facilities. This is for a couple of reasons; its usually roomier and the bathroom does not move around and we also like to minimize the use of the head. Nothing should go in the head that you did not digest.  Learn how the head works. If you leave the valve in the wrong position it can flood the boat.

  3. Wear white soled shoes on the boat.  Black soles leave marks that are almost impossible to scrub out.  Plain old tennis shoes work fine - you don't need special boat shoes. Try not to track gull poop and other stuff from the dock onto the boat.  

  4. Wear clothing in layers.  A jacket, sweater, long pants and a hat, should be considered. Remember, the weather at sea can be different from ashore. Always bring at least a windbreaker, even in summer. It can get bright and there is always some glare out at sea so consider a hat and sunglasses.

  5. Murphy's Topside Law: Anything that can go overboard, will go overboard. Glasses; some form of keeper or head band is advisable to keep them from falling off (& overboard). Hats should fit snuggly so they will not blow off (& overboard). Make sure your keys, wallet, purse, etc. are either stowed below or in such a way that they can not fall out of your pockets (& overboard).

  6. Tote's and purses should be soft sided with little or no metal hardware (it scratches the varnish). Ask where to securely stow your bag or purse down below.  If not stowed properly it may go flying about the cabin as the boat lurches and, as has happened, the contents dumped all over the cabin.

  7. Be sure to put on sunscreen, especially the ears, forehead, neck, and the backs of your hands, prime skin cancer sites.  A good sunscreens is O'mbrolle whihc we keep on the boat.  It doesn't make your hands greasy, is fairly odorless and doesn't run in your eyes when you perspire.

  8. Know where the safety gear is, and how to use it (life jackets, VHF radio, man overboard gear, flares, etc.).  The Captain will conduct a pre-sail safety session.  If you have any questions do not be afraid to speak up. Pay attention to the video. A passenger safety briefing card is located in the seat back in front of you.

  9. While underway: One hand for you, one hand for the boat - always know which hand hold or support you will grab when the boat suddenly lurches. When on deck or outside of the cockpit ALWAYS hold on with at least one hand. Murphy's Topside Law applies to people.

  10. Talk about work and projects is acceptable, but try not to get too carried away. Be mindful of politics and religion, they are often controversial.

  11. Please don't walk on hatch covers or windows.

  12. Leaving and entering the dock can be very challenging to the Captain and crew.  It looks easy but it is not. Please listen carefully to the Captain's instructions, mistakes can be costly.  

  13. Should the need arise, part of the crews' job is to fend off other boats and objects including the dock. A 10,000 lb boat has a lot of momentum even at low speed. Using your limbs to abruptly stop the boat could be very painful. Push from above NEVER, EVER place body parts between a solid part of the boat and any other solid object.

  14. We do not like following items: Glass containers (things shift about and they break - exceptions made for wine), Sunflower Seeds (they end up everywhere) , anything in small paper/foil wrappers (cockpit drain clogs).

  15. If you have a history of motion sickness; try taking some Dramamine (or whatever works for you). These usually require some time to work and need to be taken in advance. Once you start feeling bad nothing really works (you can try soda crackers and 7-up) If you feel unwell stay on deck and fix your attention on the shore or horizon. Let the captain know, sometimes a minor course change can get a better motion. Trash bags are safer than leaning over the side of the boat.

  16. This is a sailboat. The wind is free but harnessing it requires a little effort. The more people divided into the work the less effort anyone has to do. work/people = less work. If everyone pitches in; trimming the sails, steering the boat and generally helping out, the more fun everyone will have.

  17. If you have never sailed before: ASK, those with experience will happily share their knowledge with you. No one was born knowing this stuff, everyone had to learn. Everyone makes mistakes. It's OK. Learn from them.

  18. Most of all: Have fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAILING - going nowhere ,slowly, at great expense, while feeling ill.

Sailing Notes

  1. Please be at the dock on time.

  2. Before boarding, use the shore bathroom facilities. This is for a couple of reasons; its usually roomier and the bathroom does not move around and we also like to minimize the use of the head. Nothing should go in the head that you did not digest.  Learn how the head works. If you leave the valve in the wrong position it can flood the boat.

  3. Wear white soled shoes on the boat.  Black soles leave marks that are almost impossible to scrub out.  Plain old tennis shoes work fine - you don't need special boat shoes. Try not to track gull poop and other stuff from the dock onto the boat.  

  4. Wear clothing in layers.  A jacket, sweater, long pants and a hat, should be considered. Remember, the weather at sea can be different from ashore. Always bring at least a windbreaker, even in summer. It can get bright and there is always some glare out at sea so consider a hat and sunglasses.

  5. Murphy's Topside Law: Anything that can go overboard, will go overboard. Glasses; some form of keeper or head band is advisable to keep them from falling off (& overboard). Hats should fit snuggly so they will not blow off (& overboard). Make sure your keys, wallet, purse, etc. are either stowed below or in such a way that they can not fall out of your pockets (& overboard).

  6. Tote's and purses should be soft sided with little or no metal hardware (it scratches the varnish). Ask where to securely stow your bag or purse down below.  If not stowed properly it may go flying about the cabin as the boat lurches and, as has happened, the contents dumped all over the cabin.

  7. Be sure to put on sunscreen, especially the ears, forehead, neck, and the backs of your hands, prime skin cancer sites.  A good sunscreens is O'mbrolle whihc we keep on the boat.  It doesn't make your hands greasy, is fairly odorless and doesn't run in your eyes when you perspire.

  8. Know where the safety gear is, and how to use it (life jackets, VHF radio, man overboard gear, flares, etc.).  The Captain will conduct a pre-sail safety session.  If you have any questions do not be afraid to speak up. Pay attention to the video. A passenger safety briefing card is located in the seat back in front of you.

  9. While underway: One hand for you, one hand for the boat - always know which hand hold or support you will grab when the boat suddenly lurches. When on deck or outside of the cockpit ALWAYS hold on with at least one hand. Murphy's Topside Law applies to people.

  10. Talk about work and projects is acceptable, but try not to get too carried away. Be mindful of politics and religion, they are often controversial.

  11. Please don't walk on hatch covers or windows.

  12. Leaving and entering the dock can be very challenging to the Captain and crew.  It looks easy but it is not. Please listen carefully to the Captain's instructions, mistakes can be costly.  

  13. Should the need arise, part of the crews' job is to fend off other boats and objects including the dock. A 10,000 lb boat has a lot of momentum even at low speed. Using your limbs to abruptly stop the boat could be very painful. Push from above NEVER, EVER place body parts between a solid part of the boat and any other solid object.

  14. We do not like following items: Glass containers (things shift about and they break - exceptions made for wine), Sunflower Seeds (they end up everywhere) , anything in small paper/foil wrappers (cockpit drain clogs).

  15. If you have a history of motion sickness; try taking some Dramamine (or whatever works for you). These usually require some time to work and need to be taken in advance. Once you start feeling bad nothing really works (you can try soda crackers and 7-up) If you feel unwell stay on deck and fix your attention on the shore or horizon. Let the captain know, sometimes a minor course change can get a better motion. Trash bags are safer than leaning over the side of the boat.

  16. This is a sailboat. The wind is free but harnessing it requires a little effort. The more people divided into the work the less effort anyone has to do. work/people = less work. If everyone pitches in; trimming the sails, steering the boat and generally helping out, the more fun everyone will have.

  17. If you have never sailed before: ASK, those with experience will happily share their knowledge with you. No one was born knowing this stuff, everyone had to learn. Everyone makes mistakes. It's OK. Learn from them.

  18. Most of all: Have fun.