Long distance Sailing. With or without alcohol?

[Jonathancpwalsh]

In 2006 I crossed the Atlantic with ARC ( Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) from the Canaries to St. Lucia. Although not a scientific survey I noted that about one third of the boats were "dry" with, probably, a higher proportion of North American boats being "dry". Since then we have all been made more safety aware. But what about alcohol? Would most insist on a "dry" boat - on a similar voyage- or not?

[Scott Berg]

We are usually a dry boat whenever underway. My exception is that, in settled conditions and forecasts I've been known to splice the main brace at 1700 between the dog watches when all are on deck (whether all is 2 or 8). Never more than a tot of rum/glass of wine or single beer. Probably twice a week or so. Others have a different approach. When on soundings the watch NEVER drinks until anchored or moored. Much more to hit on close in sailing.

[Dsanduril]

Never had any rules one way or another. But then never really had "crew" other than family or friends close enough to be considered family. Expect them all to behave responsibly. Frequently a beer or glass of wine with dinner, but usually not in rough conditions (not out of concern, but more out of lack of interest). Given how little we drink overall compared with many boats we've met, maybe it comes down to that more than anything else.

[boatman61]

I'm ex-Royal Navy...
A popular song of the day was..
"There's a buzz goin round the harbour..
That the Yanks are goin to sea..
with a crate of Coca Cola..
and a bludi great tub of ice cream..
Well they're buldi good kids in harbour.. but..
Oh my god at sea.."
Sung to the tune of 'Halls of Montezuma'.. think I've forgotten a line in the middle but.. you get the idea..
We got a tot of rum and 2 beers a day..

[StuM]

One sundowner - that's all. A single can of beer or pre-mix G&T, Rum & cola etc.

[a64pilot]

I'm a Beer drinker, and for some reason I may go weeks at home without a Beer, but on a boat, I drink more, so I'll have a Beer for supper, maybe even Lunch, but not a 6 pack.
There is a huge difference between a "digestive" as it was called in Germany and drinking to being drunk. There are a lot of drunks in the world and I guess they can't help it.

Funny thing is, I think it's maybe more dangerous to drink while sailing in the Bay as opposed to off shore, but I think quite a few are drinking maybe more than they should whilst bay sailing.

There is alcohol on our boat most times, but the wife rarely drinks, and her favorite is frozen Daiquiri's. Never made on the boat yet, she bought some kind of frozen Daiquiri in a bag, but our freezer won't get cold enough to freeze it.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Steel sails]

On passage 1 glass of wine with dinner. Even at anchor I limit it to maybe a Gin and tonic and a glass of wine or 2

Regards
Paul

[FamilyVan]

Under way I tend to avoid it. Maybe an hour or two out from anchorage/docking I'll crack a couple of cold ones.

Sent from my SGH-I547C using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[MarkJ]

This is another wierd but quite strong cultural difference between the USA and the Rest Of The World.

The USA, afaik, has never had beer, rum etc on its naval ships but all other cultures have. In fact mutinies have occurred when the rum ration was cut...

Even today most navies allow 2 cans of beer per man per day (per haps) except the USA...

So in the OPs final port of Las Palmas in the Canaries the Americans were stocking up on V8 while the rest of us where clearing the store shelves of anything with alcohol in it!

I have forgotten how much I took on my trans atlantic solo voyage but I think it was a bout 4 cases of beer. I doubt I had much left when I arrived in the Caribbean. You see its very good for cleaning...

[FamilyVan]

Mark J. If you want a mutiny in the Canadian Coast Guard- start by allowing only 2 beers a day. You sure you're not missing a 4 after your 2?

Sent from my SGH-I547C using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Dockhead]

We are absolutely dry on passage. But I've not crossed an ocean yet, and we sail in tough latitudes. So a "passage" for us is typically two or three days of really intense sailing, when you just wouldn't even think about a drink in any case, and not that long to wait for the fleshpots anyway.

This policy might change with longer passages in more benign latitudes. In any case, cocktail hour is a sacred ritual in port or at anchor.

[sapient sue]

Passage making (long or short) we are a dry boat. Sailing with just the two of us means we need to be responsible and be alert at all times. When anchored it is a different matter and we enjoy our wines, cocktails, and spirits - and drink to be social and enjoy the moments.

[Hard Rock Candy]

We could drink ourselves sick when in a marina or at anchor but never felt the need at sea. No special rules, just a personal responsibility. Mac

[jpsgirl96]

We are quite serious about our sundowners when anchored or moored or docked. Underway, no alcohol. No judgement about how others approach it - maybe we figure we need all remaining brain cells to make passages.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Stu Jackson]

How do you light your stove without it? At least twice a day: coffee & dinner.