Things you Wished you'd Known before you went Cruising

[captjeanette]

Was sitting around happy hour recently with some other cruising ladies and we were discussing things we wished we had known before we went cruising.

Things like: 1 - didn't know so many things would grow mold and mildew
2 - all clothing would wind up faded, stained or torn
3 - the constant need for zip lock bags to store things

Anyway, I'd love to hear what other things you wished you had known before hand. (not all things are bad or negative--I also learned that I liked cruising more than I thought I would) So good or bad--what would you like to tell others that would help newbies just starting out cruising?

CJ

[svpattyd]

Get a GOOD, SHARP, non folding knife and keep it attached to the binnacle. Easy to find and retrieve when needed...don't ask me how I know.

[svjustus]

Keep your sense of humor!! Get used to "sailor butt" (from riding in dighy)!! Don't defrost the ice box with an icepick!!

[svBeBe]

When we started I wished I had know how many forum experts were really not experts.

[sww914]

I wish I'd know just how much better Mexico is than the US. Life is just sooo much easier here and so so much cheaper.

[zeehag]

914--where are ye now?? are ye coming to la cruz/puerto vallarta?? is some good provisioning here in la cruz!!!

[sww914]

We're in Ensenada, we had planned to squirt right down the coast before hurricane season but hurricane Bud scared us away so we're waiting here until October. See you soon!

[Amapola]

Don't rely on the knowledge of other or be pressured into doing something you are not comfortable with.

[Hideaway34]

I wish I'd known how much a couple's idiosyncrasies could be magnified on a small boat. It's only been a month and I feel like I'm re-learning how to communicate with my husband. Or maybe I never really knew how?

[GaryMayo]

Originally Posted by svBeBe

When we started I wished I had know how many forum experts were really not experts.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

[Teknav]

I have been on a family owned sail boat, where everyone was at each other's throat three days after leaving port. The arguments were about "piddly stuff"...using too much fresh water, running out of ice, cheese, milk and fresh fruits and vegetables for salads...no nearby islands with supermarkets open 24/7...to name a few. Since I was the invited guest, I stayed out of these arguments by sleeping on deck, in a hammock under the stars, with ear-buds in my ears listening to my favorite music. Tight quarters can raise the heat under the collar by a bunch of degrees. The solution is to assign duties for everyone, then rotate these duties every 24 hours. Supplies locations should be planned before leaving your home port. Marinas that provide showers, laundry, internet, food and fuel should be contacted prior to your departure then labeled on your charts. If the boat is not sinking and its sails/nav equipment are intact, I do not see any reason for arguing. If you fail to plan, you planned to fail.

[GaryMayo]

Originally Posted by Teknav

I have been on a family owned sail boat, where everyone was at each other's throat three days after leaving port. The arguments were about "piddly stuff"...using too much fresh water, running out of ice, cheese, milk and fresh fruits and vegetables for salads...no nearby islands with supermarkets open 24/7...to name a few. Since I was the invited guest, I stayed out of these arguments by sleeping on deck, in a hammock under the stars, with ear-buds in my ears listening to my favorite music. Tight quarters can raise the heat under the collar by a bunch of degrees. The solution is to assign duties for everyone, then rotate these duties every 24 hours. Supplies locations should be planned before leaving your home port. Marinas that provide showers, laundry, internet, food and fuel should be contacted prior to your departure then labeled on your charts. If the boat is not sinking and its sails/nav equipment are intact, I do not see any reason for arguing. If you fail to plan, you planned to fail.

My goal is cruising anywhere, alone, with any K9 that wants to go along. Figure, can't get on my own nerves, and if the dog jumps back onboard after a marina visit, he must still like it.

Other people are over rated. Lol

[sck5]

"Get a GOOD, SHARP, non folding knife and keep it attached to the binnacle. Easy to find and retrieve when needed...don't ask me how I know. "

I have a dive knife attached to the underside of the dodger for this same purpose. Its better than most knives for rust resistance.

[lannen]

When 10 people are anchored 'over there' and nobody else is anchored 'over here' there is probably a good reason for it.

[Captain Jeffry]

Things to know/do-- Reef early--Reef often--Serrated edged, locking blade--micro fiber towel--paper charts--hand bearing compass-back up handheld GPS--islolate water tanks, draw down one at a time--check for chafe often!--cheap vodka sprayed down fish mouth kills in 20 seconds, no blood... and treat thy engine with great love.. Cheers~