I take folks daysailing individually. If they each seem to have a grip then I take them out in groups
day sailing to make sure they can
work as a group too. Then I do some overnighters.
Don't call it a
contract to them, give them a list of "Expectations"
1. This is not a
vacation. You are expected to help with all aspects of cruising the boat except pumping out, repairing and
cleaning the
head, that's the skipper's job.
That means you help lug supplies when
provisioning the boat.
That means helping with meal prep and clean up.
That means dropping what you are doing occasionally to be on
deck and do as you are told.
2. Learn the lingo. The jargon used in cruising goes a long way in making directions clear and minimizing problems. [Include a list of basic terms for guests to learn with diagrams, and teach them more involved terms as you go.]
3. Keep the boat neat. This is a
safety issue. Boats move a lot, even at
dock or
anchor. Loose things underfoot when the boat is rocking and rolling is a
danger. Everything should have a place to store where is secure when the boat is moving a lot. Minimize what is left out even when the boat is at dock or
anchor.
4.This is not a vacation.