Taking Friends Sailing - A Checklist


With the 4th of July upon us, many of us will be taking friends and family sailing, and for many of them, it will be the first time. Unlike my friends Mark and Alberto shown here, it will be a new experience, and it it your job to make sure that new sailors are prepared, and know what to expect. It will make the time on the water more fun for them, and safer for everybody, including your boat.

Here is a list of some things to check/ask/inform new sailors before heading out:

  • Find out if they can swim - This is the biggie. As skipper you are responsible for everyone's safety, and non-swimmers should wear a PFD when on the boat.
  • Tell them about your boat - And what kind of sailing they can expect. A sail on a M-16 will be different than on a 235. People may have impressions of what sailing MIGHT be like, based on things that have seen or read. Let them know about your boat. Can it capsize? Are they Likely to get wet? Will it be work? Can they lay out? is there a place to go to get out of the sun?
  • Let them know what to wear - Partly based on weather, and boat type. Will they have a place to store extra clothes, and/or change? bathing suits? Shoes are KEY; maybe not dedicated boat shoes, but watch out for black soles.
  • Let them know what will be expected of them - If you need your guest to be actively involved in the sailing let them know ahead of time. Even if that just means acting as rail meat, let them know what their job will be. If they just get to sit back and relax, let them know that too.
  • What can they bring - Depends on your boat; so let them know. Do you want them to bring towels? Food to share? 
  • What to leave behind - Many skipper have a list of things that cannot come on the boat. Pets? Glass? Dark liquids like red wine or tomato juice? I've had people show up with huge inflatable water toys.
  • Where to meet. Meeting on the dock, rowing out together in a tender, or on the seawall for a dinghy ride? Let them know, and where to park. Remember that the bandshell parking lots are pay lots, and you cannot park on the parkways after 10pm.
  • Plans for going potty - OK, a delicate topic, but one that must be discussed. Most boats I assume will go back to the dock for potty breaks, but you may have a porta-potty. Some new sailors might be uncomfortable with that idea. Your call. Also, remind people it might be a good idea to go before getting on.
  • Cover basic emergency stuff - Better safe than sorry. Most important, what to do if someone falls overboard. This includes YOU. Always know who (if anyone) on your boat knows how to sail enough to at very least able to stall the boat. If the answer is no-one, it might makes sense to have a 5 minute MOB class.

Always remember; this is supposed to be fun, but it your job to insure:
  1. Crew safety
  2. Boat safety
  3. Having fun
Everybody have a GREAT 4th of July!

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 3, 2010 at 6:22 PM

    Excellent list. Some of these things I had not considered but took for "granted". Thanks for raising the awareness.

    ReplyDelete

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