Dos and Don'ts ?

[YankeeD]

Hi all

Does anybody know of a nice concise list of definitive DO's and DONT's for new sailors? Like , "always attach halyard to head of sail before leaving the slip" or "NEVER wrap a sheet around your hand while raising the main" kind of stuff? Or can you all post some? I understand that we all have to make some mistakes to learn (and have stories), but would like to cut out some of the more painful ones.

Thanks, good to be here-

YankeeD!

[zeehag]

donot wrap anything around an extremity.
do not sail into a hurrycame.
do not sail without checking weather

[thinwater]

1. Don't listen to advice from a forum. Who are these guys?

2. Read a book. Better yet, 5or 6. Publishers tend to weed out the fools.

And remember that every boat is different. A punch line without an explanation is at best rigid and at worst dangerous. Even "when in doubt, sheet out" is only true most of the time.

[sailorboy1]

DO - stay ON the boat when underway!

Think about this as you move around and do stuff on the boat to be sure you are going to comply! Nothing needs to get done so fast that you violate this rule.

[Randyonr3]

Over the past few years, a few checklists have come up to go over before you leave the slip.. might do some research of the archives.....

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome Aboard Cruiser Forum

1 DO think of safety always

2 DON'T take what written in books as gospel, just like a forum, it's their opinion also.

3 DO what number 2 says not to do, just make it work YOUR way, not all boats will respond the same.

[spostamento nobile]

Plan your work, work your plan.

People who have not achieved their goals can always find a way for you not to achieve your goals.

Don't listen to them.
Do keep moving forward.

[zeehag]

do not go swimming while boat is in motion.
do listen to the lil voices in your head when wind comes up you want to already be reefed....
do NOT prevent your mizzen top the taffrail of decorative teak.....find something SOLID for that....
oh yeah--do not sail your 24 like i sail my 41.......

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!

This forum and the members in it are not gospel and the apostles but we all together have a great deal of experience.

Do always think safety

Do prepare a check list and use it

Do open your engine seacock before starting your engine

Do check your engine exhaust to see that it is pumping water

Do consider the freeboard of your boat before you jump off for a swim. Make certain a ladder is in place.

Do learn some good knots and hitches like bowline, cleat hitch, reef knot, anchor bend, clove hitch, rolling hitch and then use them when they are appropriate

Never assume you are the best sailor in the world and have nothing more to learn

Good to have you here

kind regards,

[YankeeD]

Thank you SkiprJohn-Very good advice, indeed. I am so very happy to be a sailor, and look forward to a lifetime of learning...and fun!

[David M]

Keep the bottom side down and the shiny side up.

[markpierce]

Stay aware, and don't keep altering your course toward me in an apparent collision attempt just because you're on a sailboat (like an idiot sailor did yesterday on the bay.)

[Mr B]

If your standing on Barnacles, Your boat is upside down, Hahahaha

Welcome any way,

[Sabbatical II]

Don't block the head or your in deep do do.

Greg

[sailcruiser]

Do try to think what if....?
Do carry tools and common spare parts
Do carry towing insurance if possible
Do keep safety above all else
Do explain boat rules (if any), location of safety gear etc to new guests
DON'T PANIC.