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05-08-2018, 23:22
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#31
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: New Zealand
Boat: 50’ Bavaria
Posts: 1,820
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Good stuff Pelagic, that’s exactly what I’m in the process of writing at the moment. It would be rude to ask for you to share it, but if anyone knows of any examples of this kind of thing it would be great to see them to get hints and ideas.
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06-08-2018, 09:06
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#32
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dana Point, Ca.
Boat: olsen / ericson 34
Posts: 448
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Newbie,
Absolutely they should receive a thorough briefing and even some good tips before even arriving at the boat.
We feel very serious about our skippers respnsibility to the crew, the passengers and the vessel itself.
Pre cruise : Prepare them before the cruise.
1. DECK SHOES, or a least well fitting shoes that do not have dark soles that wil leave marks on the decks, and also need to adhere to the decks and not be slippery.
2. SEA SICKNESS PREVENTION: No huge intake of alcohol the night before. Have a good healthy breakfast, and no over abundance of liquids.
I even suggest to lay off their usual donuts and coffee. Lay off anything acidic. I want them to have a great time, and enjoy sailing, and not be checking the prop of the stern all day long.
3. NO RED WINE: it stains the decks and you will wind up painting your boat pick. NO POTATO CHIPS: yep, they will drop them on the deck, and they will wind up crushed into an oily and slippery mess.
4. WATER PROOF OR WARM JACKET : depending on the area you are
sailing. Here in socal, we have sunny and warm days, but as the afternoon winds and waves build it, we will be taking on spray and it will be cold.
Same for Kauai Island, Hawaii.
5. Caps, hats with chin straps, sunscreen, croakies for sun glasses.
6. I also get down to the boat about an hour ahead of their arrivals and go through an excellent systems and vessel inspection before they arrive and are in the way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The non sailing and even sailing passengers show up. They will get a thorough briefing. I not only want them safe, I want them to become part of the sailing experience. That input will vary with the individual, but I want them to have a fun time. Some , who wish, I will have handling sheets, lines, trimming the sails, and getting in some helm time. Others just want to sit back and vege.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
De-parture check briefings :
1. ASSIST THEM ON BOARD. I take their personal gear from them, and set is aside so they can use their hands to balance when boarding.
2. STOWING GEAR : The will stow their own duffels and gear below so that nothing can go adrift in the cabin. Usually in the empty quarter berth for a day sail. Their own cabin if overnight cruises.
3. COMPANION WAY LADDER : Turn around and go down and up the ladder facing the ladder. Use your hands for balance , WATCH YOUR HEAD on the overhead companion way hatch.
4. LIFE JACKETS: I do more than just tell them where they are stowed. I actually take one and show them how to put it on. And go over some basis MOB procedures. Such as pointing at the person in the water and not taking their eyes off them. We will toss them the life jacket that I demoed with that will be tied with a slip knot and we also have the M.O.B. pole and line to deploy . I will point out the swim ladder or stern swim steps to aid in re boarding.
5. MARINE HEAD OPERATION: I show them the procedure for pumping or a macerator . And do not put ANYTHING into the marine head that they have not eaten or drank. Use the trash back in the head area .
6. DO NOT TOSS ANYTHING OVERBOARD : Use the trash bag hanging up in the galley area.
7. SHOW ONE OTHER PERSON HOW TO USE THE VHF : Emergency. We always monitor VHF chl 16, or have that set in the VHF. Also, I show them how to switch from 16 to 22 A in any coast guard contact.
8. DISCUSS THE D.C. ELECTRICAL PANEL: VHF, Water Pressure, Wind and NAV instruments. NO ONE MESSES WITH THE STOVE AT ANY TIME UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT ON IT.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. SHOULD THEY GET SEA SICK : DO NOT GO DOWN BELOW TO THE HEAD. It is only going to get worse. Position your self down wind at the stern. Show them how another person can grab strongly onto the back of their belt, or pants. DOES NOT WORK SO GOOD WITH BIKINI BOTTOMS.
Bring them a wet towel to wash off their face or clothes. Or the boat.
Do not talk about the time when you got sooo sick, types of tales.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Also take into account other suggestions by other posters here on this forum.
11. Put them to work, if they wish. I really and positively want them to not only fully enjoy the day to their own capabilities, but possibly when we return they want to go sailing again .....maybe even sign up for lessons or join a sailing club, or get crazy and buy a boat and eventually go world cruising.
You never know what may happen , but you certainly can open up the world to sailing and seamanship, or just relaxing in the sunshine or all of the above.
Fair winds and following seas
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06-08-2018, 09:18
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#33
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,765
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
A little safety talk is good.
-If someone goes over, designate a "looker". That persons job is to NEVER stop watching the person in the water.
-If you tell people to put lifejackets on, "dont panic, it doesn't mean anything but I am being cautious." (I keep thinking if the the Duck Boat captain had just done that a couple weeks ago all those people would likely be alive.)
-NEVER jump to the dock when docking, wait until the boat is alongside even if it requires re docking.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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06-08-2018, 10:15
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#34
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Boat: Hallberg Rassy 35'
Posts: 1,200
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Guests, especially if not experienced, wear a PFD.
I show them the man overboard buoy and horseshoe life ring.
If interested they get an intro to raising and lowering the main halyard, furling the headsail, working the sheets, and a chance to steer.
When we dock they are told to sit and stay out of my way.
Years ago I offered a day sail trip as a charity auction item... after one time I said no more and just give the charity money.
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06-08-2018, 12:49
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#35
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 109
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Li......77, so how long have you been sailing by yourself?
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06-08-2018, 13:42
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#36
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kingston Ont Canada
Boat: Looking for my next boat!
Posts: 3,101
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Classicsailboat
Li......77, so how long have you been sailing by yourself?
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Its pretty easy to see which answers are from experience, and which are just theoretical idealism.
Most of my guests had very little interest in actual sailing, or the boat, other than looking pretty on a "yacht" and getting a tan. There is a big difference between "crew" and "passenger". In hindsight, I wonder why I took them sailing at all...oh yeah...relatives.
My point, if I have one, is that the "speech" must match the crew. If they aren't interested, you are just wasting your breath. And I'm just realizing now that if they aren't interested, maybe they should stay ashore.
And yes, I ended up sailing alone. Until I got bored of sailing alone and sold the boat. Now I spend my summer trolling CF, instead of sailing. Thanks for the reminder.
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06-08-2018, 14:03
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#37
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pangaea
Posts: 10,856
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
We always begin with an introduction on how to use and flush the toilets.
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06-08-2018, 14:13
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#38
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Naskentucket Bay
Boat: Catalina 30
Posts: 197
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
As I have guests on a fairly regular basis, and they come in 4 basic types, the first being the ones that know my boat her systems and how I run her, they are usually assigned more of a crew status ... Usually.. 2 are the ones that have sailing experience on other boats or even their own boat and for them, we discuss how things are different on each of the boats, I find this makes everything more of a conversation and less of a brief, and keeps everyone engaged better. 3 would be the people who have never sailed before and want to help with the boat, they get a pretty good rundown of what is what, " this is the radio, push this buttom, then grab the mike and push the little button on the side to talk let it go when you are done" type things as well as if it didn't go into your mouth it doesn't go in the toilet, and how to put on a life jacket and where they are kept. The last group is kind of a catch all for guests that aren't any of the above,aren't interested in how the boat works just want to be on a boat, they get a basic of this is a life jacket, this is how you wear it, if you didn't eat it don't flush it, here is the chill box, this is where the drinks are, I don't mind if you have a few but if you are going to get hammered underweigh the you will be wearing a life jacket and probably staying bellow (as well as probably not being invited back)
As a rule only me and the group 1 guests operate the stove. I try to let everyone who wants to get helm time ( especially kids, they really love it, and it makes them much easier to keep an eye on)
I also have little (okay rather large with big type) laminated signs I put on or near/in front of guest operated equipment, with instructions for using and or securing the equipment, some people aren't a fan of this as they think it's insulting, but I try to calmly explain to them that its probably not them that is the reason the sign is there and it's there not because I don't think you know how to, say flush the toilet, but as a just in case. They most of the time get it.
At the pier or on the mooring by briefs usually pertain to how to flush, and if on the mooring to make sure the dinghy is secure before trying to go from it to the boat or vise versa.
As a side note, it's been my experience that most of the time family, and pretty little things from the watering hole tend to end up in the last group.
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06-08-2018, 14:33
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#39
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island/Florida USA
Posts: 3,377
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
We don't invite guests to the boat. If guests are visiting, they are boaters who own their own boat and know what' s what.
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06-08-2018, 15:38
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#40
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Toilets? No, I make it clear that there are no toilets, a marine head may resemble one but it is a very different thing.
Depending on the guest(s) and situation, I may show them how to use the VHF to call for help, but I'd save the "stem to stern" tour for company on longer trips. Flotation depends on who and why as well. If there are kids involved, I lead by example: My pfd goes on first. Kids don't et much choice about that.
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07-08-2018, 00:17
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#41
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 101
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lihuedooley77
Newbie,
Absolutely they should receive a thorough briefing and even some good tips before even arriving at the boat.
We feel very serious about our skippers respnsibility to the crew, the passengers and the vessel itself.
Pre cruise : Prepare them before the cruise.
1. DECK SHOES, or a least well fitting shoes that do not have dark soles that wil leave marks on the decks, and also need to adhere to the decks and not be slippery.
2. SEA SICKNESS PREVENTION: No huge intake of alcohol the night before. Have a good healthy breakfast, and no over abundance of liquids.
I even suggest to lay off their usual donuts and coffee. Lay off anything acidic. I want them to have a great time, and enjoy sailing, and not be checking the prop of the stern all day long.
3. NO RED WINE: it stains the decks and you will wind up painting your boat pick. NO POTATO CHIPS: yep, they will drop them on the deck, and they will wind up crushed into an oily and slippery mess.
4. WATER PROOF OR WARM JACKET : depending on the area you are
sailing. Here in socal, we have sunny and warm days, but as the afternoon winds and waves build it, we will be taking on spray and it will be cold.
Same for Kauai Island, Hawaii.
5. Caps, hats with chin straps, sunscreen, croakies for sun glasses.
6. I also get down to the boat about an hour ahead of their arrivals and go through an excellent systems and vessel inspection before they arrive and are in the way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The non sailing and even sailing passengers show up. They will get a thorough briefing. I not only want them safe, I want them to become part of the sailing experience. That input will vary with the individual, but I want them to have a fun time. Some , who wish, I will have handling sheets, lines, trimming the sails, and getting in some helm time. Others just want to sit back and vege.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
De-parture check briefings :
1. ASSIST THEM ON BOARD. I take their personal gear from them, and set is aside so they can use their hands to balance when boarding.
2. STOWING GEAR : The will stow their own duffels and gear below so that nothing can go adrift in the cabin. Usually in the empty quarter berth for a day sail. Their own cabin if overnight cruises.
3. COMPANION WAY LADDER : Turn around and go down and up the ladder facing the ladder. Use your hands for balance , WATCH YOUR HEAD on the overhead companion way hatch.
4. LIFE JACKETS: I do more than just tell them where they are stowed. I actually take one and show them how to put it on. And go over some basis MOB procedures. Such as pointing at the person in the water and not taking their eyes off them. We will toss them the life jacket that I demoed with that will be tied with a slip knot and we also have the M.O.B. pole and line to deploy . I will point out the swim ladder or stern swim steps to aid in re boarding.
5. MARINE HEAD OPERATION: I show them the procedure for pumping or a macerator . And do not put ANYTHING into the marine head that they have not eaten or drank. Use the trash back in the head area .
6. DO NOT TOSS ANYTHING OVERBOARD : Use the trash bag hanging up in the galley area.
7. SHOW ONE OTHER PERSON HOW TO USE THE VHF : Emergency. We always monitor VHF chl 16, or have that set in the VHF. Also, I show them how to switch from 16 to 22 A in any coast guard contact.
8. DISCUSS THE D.C. ELECTRICAL PANEL: VHF, Water Pressure, Wind and NAV instruments. NO ONE MESSES WITH THE STOVE AT ANY TIME UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT ON IT.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. SHOULD THEY GET SEA SICK : DO NOT GO DOWN BELOW TO THE HEAD. It is only going to get worse. Position your self down wind at the stern. Show them how another person can grab strongly onto the back of their belt, or pants. DOES NOT WORK SO GOOD WITH BIKINI BOTTOMS.
Bring them a wet towel to wash off their face or clothes. Or the boat.
Do not talk about the time when you got sooo sick, types of tales.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Also take into account other suggestions by other posters here on this forum.
11. Put them to work, if they wish. I really and positively want them to not only fully enjoy the day to their own capabilities, but possibly when we return they want to go sailing again .....maybe even sign up for lessons or join a sailing club, or get crazy and buy a boat and eventually go world cruising.
You never know what may happen , but you certainly can open up the world to sailing and seamanship, or just relaxing in the sunshine or all of the above.
Fair winds and following seas
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GREAT INFO! Thanks for sharing all that.
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07-08-2018, 00:18
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#42
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 101
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Awesome thread, everyone! Thanks to everyone that shared some of their personal tips.
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07-08-2018, 00:33
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#43
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, in Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 29,961
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
If there are two or more, i like to appoint a "pointer", someone who, in case of a man overboard situation, is given the job to just keep pointing at the person in the water. They may have also tossed them a flotation device, but the job is to stay pointing, so everyone else is easily clued in to where the MOB is.
They also need to know to avoid the boom on gybes and to never stand over loaded blocks, and "one hand for the boat, and one for themselves".
If there are little kids, first instruct the adults on the use of the marine head; then listen as they instruct their kids, and correct any mistakes, if any. (Kids have a hard time with the concept that it isn't a toilet that will gobble 1/4 roll of TP.)
I think it's nice to tell people to ask you about it if they have a question, encourage that. One time, my son Tim (aged 16 or 17) came out of the head and said to Jim, "It's a little damp in the head." Jim went to check. What had happened was this: there had been a headsail change, and the big, heavy #1 had been replaced by the much smaller #4 jib. The big, etc. sail, in its bag, had landed on the salt water inlet valve pedal, causing sea water to enter the bowl, and overflow it. It was about ankle deep in the head. Sail re-location, and pumping followed. This was before we used to do head explanations.
So many things to learn to NOT do!
,
However, I do not think one really needs to educate people about the boat, unless they ask, especially if they're only there for a day sail. Jim and I do everything that is needed, and they would be in the way. If they want jobs, we assign them.
If you would be taking on volunteer crew for a passage, then that is different, because they have to prove their level of competence to you before you can trust them on watch, and they have a right to know lots about the vesssel, and her navigation system(s).
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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07-08-2018, 07:05
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#44
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dana Point, Ca.
Boat: olsen / ericson 34
Posts: 448
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
Classic....
Thank you for inquiring as to how long I have been sailing. Good question.
Well, from darned near back when the brontos roamed the earth, just before the big freeze....bloody long time, mate.
Actually about 40 years. At the time I was flying as a flight instructor and charter pilot, and wanted to get into sailing as well. Many pilots private and commercial get into sailing or boating as well. That big white main sail is like an airplane wing . The adventure is there as well a whole new amazing world.
When ever in an alien environment, I believe in professional instruction, so I first started taking sailing lessons from on a 22 ft. Santana , no engine. Later , since I did not have a boat of my own, i joined a boat club, power and sail. They closed down.
Took some time off, and then joined the Newport Sailing Club, in Newport Beach California, and went thru their entire program. I wanted to learn more . I loved sailing and flying and did both concurrently.
NSC's sailing training program was outstanding, 42 hrs on the water, plus written tests and check outs on 30 plus ft vessels. You had to depart and return to the docks undersail, and single hand the entire check out. Worked my way up to 55 footers.
Oh, we also docked under power and later had a power boat division up to 50 ft.
I really liked being able to sail a boat in almost any condition or situation ( if there was wind ). That included close quarters maneuvering , leaving the slips under sail and docking under sail. Rough weather conditions, and Fog Procedures, passage making. And a whole lot more. We never stop learning .
NSC
One day, I was out on a day sail with friends and docked the Ericson 35 under sail ( the main) and the owner of the sailing club happened to notice. A few days later, I was roaming around the docks and he asked me to take our a charter of only 3 hrs on the Newport 30. I jumped at it. That all morfed into to instructing basic and intermediate classes, then advanced classes, then coastal piloting and navigation, and eventually my first BVI cruise about 35 or so years ago.
Then, almost every year , we would bare boat on international cruises in Austraila, Tahiti, Tonga, the caribbean, Ireland and greece. And also deliveries. I lead flotillas in the south pacific and the caribbean, and training / check out Catalina trips, for our new members. Usually 6 to 12 boats.
It took almost 5 years to gain the 720 days at sea documented time to sit for the U.S.C.G. 100 Ton license. That had to be renewed every 5 yrs with sea time and or testing. My last issue was number 5. That has expired and I no longer work under the auspices of the U.S.C.G. License.
But we are still sailing, now just Erica and I, and not much local waters sailing. We do continue to go almost annually on international bare boat sailing adventures, and next May 2019, we we have reserved a jeanneau 36 i, with Conch Charters in the BVI. Bvi trip number 17 .
Point being, it is entirely up to the individual as to how they wish to get into sailing. And they progress from day sailing in local waters, to longer over night passages to other harbors and then the world.
It is all out there waiting for you to embrace seamanship and mother ocean, and wonderful ports of call through out the planet. Either purchasing a well found sailing vessel, and live the cruising life, or by bare boat chartering . Or day sailing.
No matter your choice, what ever it may be, it is all good.
And yes , there will be some trying times, but with your knowledge and experience you get thru them, and at the same time learn more about your vessel and yourself and the moods of the ocean .
Also, for all the new folks to sailing, it wont be long before you are enjoying helping out others discover sailing, and posting on forums like CF to share your knowledge and sea stories. You will have them.
Those of us well into geezerdom, and younger, we totally welcome those who wish to be part of the sailing community, and motor vessel community .
Welcome aboard .
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07-08-2018, 09:48
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#45
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Canada or Spain
Boat: Jeanneau SO 43 DS
Posts: 1,159
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Re: Do you give guests an "Intro Class" to your boat?
In the safety brief, however detailed you wish to make it, don't forget to warn non-sailors to beware of the boom.
__________________
Prairie Chicken
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