Can non-drinkers be cruisers?

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by InTheDish

... EDIT- "Sundowners" means BYOB or soda and some snacks...

And it's always appreciated if you bring your own glass.

[boatman61]

Just think.. You get to enjoy cruising without the throbbing head and nausea in the mornings.. you can appreciate sunrises.. most of us only see sunsets.
Plus you get to laugh at us folks tales of the times we over did it..
Like the time I wobbled out of a bar in SXM at 4am some 20yrs ago.. I got to the end of the jetty and there were 3 dinghies tied up there.. now I knew that there were none when I arrived.. and no cruisers had come in coz I was the only white guy in the bar so.. I must be drunk and logic dictated therefore the one in the middle was the one I wanted so I stepped in...
As I came spluttering to the surface I realized.. it was the one on the left..

[valhalla360]

As long as you don't get preachy about it, no problem.

I wouldn't even bring it up unless someone else does first. The vast majority probably never will question it. Then politely let them know...you are recovering, religious reasons, etc.

No if you absolutely refuse to be around it even if it's just a single drink that can get problematic.

[Iaangus]

[QUOTE=rbk;2586228]ABSOLUTELY NOT!! You must live out your years in the middle of a corn field somewhere in the Midwest and are to never set foot on a boat…Ever.

I'm pretty sure in the midwest anybody sitting in the middle of a corn field (assuming it is harvested) is going to be approached by a 4x4 truck and offered a beer or a shot of whisky.

[buckoneil]

I sail, I don't drink, I bring my own, I haven't had a problem.

[ransflyer]

Thanks everyone for your replies, especially Gordon for the link to another thread.

This gives us a better view on what it takes to be social. We can be very comfortable with your choices on your boat, but we'd prefer to have ours stay alochol-free, if that's OK with you.

Bacchus: Our situation is religious reasons, and we are trying our best to stay healthy and safe as we age. I can also see where I might be a recovering alcoholic if I had ever tried any.

[seaman-lew]

I am too busy working on my boat to drink

[Bill Seal]

Whereas I'm usually too busy attacking the beer locker (or day sailing) to work on the boat.

[henris]

I am non-drinkder but still I have drinks for the one who likes it.

Henri

[TrentePieds]

Very simple: Polite conduct among seafaring people is the same as polite conduct among people ashore. Just handle it as you would ashore. The only rule that is universal is that "polite" beats "brash"

TP

[medevicerep]

I’ve retired from the professional drinking pro tour myself. Most of the other cruisers I hang out with do drink but they have never complained about my abstinence. I do end up getting stuck with some late night watches or have to captain the boat back to the dock but it’s all part of the fun to me. Welcome aboard!

[nautitrix]

Originally Posted by seaman-lew

I am too busy working on my boat to drink

Working on my boat is the reason I drink

PS. The only comment to the OP is as has been stated; share the info about your dry boat before someone has accepted your invite, if you do not wish to be around others who are imbibing, ask first and then decide. Breakfast can be a social and alcohol free time even for me.
Your boat your rules!
My boat my rules!

[Diesel Bill]

I read an article the other day that now says if you want to live past 90 yrs to drink alcohol (moderately) and coffee.

[gwbull]

There's a lot of blah blah on this thread. I've been cruising for a looooong time, never touch a drop, am proud of what I have achieved in long term sobriety, am comfortable with drinkers until their 3rd drink, invite others over BYO, and truth is... there's a LOT of us out there, not the tiny minority you might imagine. Most important of all is that the cruising community is almost exclusively friendly, helpful, accommodating and respectful. If you can't find friends cruising, you're still ashore. And in response to the characterization of non drinkers as weird... ask any of your non cruising friends and family... they'll tell you. CRUISERS are weird. Try it. It's fun.

[rancher44]

agree with Gw bull I have 26 plus years and no problem. If you handle the situation as you do on land you will be fine .
If you are a friend of Bill's you can call on your radio for friends of Bill W and we will respond --we are every where !!