Welcome Aboard

You've heard of Miss Manners? Well here's our version -- Backseat Betty's Pointers for Best Boating Behavior ...

Here are a few things to remember when living aboard a boat to make your trip more enjoyable, and to help maintain crew harmony.

UTILITIES: All water, electricity, trash management and sewage is self contained on a boat. We have limited amounts of each, but plenty if we aren’t wasteful. Water is stored in tanks and may or may not be drinkable. Ask the skipper. Any use of water for washing dishes, clothes, teeth or bodies must be done with care. Generally, if there’s water running – it’s bad. Get wet, turn off the water and soap up, wash everything and rinse off. Be sure to rinse away any soap so the shower doesn’t get slippery. We can’t stand in the shower, wash dishes, hands etc. with the water running.

We make 12volt electricity only when the engine is running and store it in huge batteries similar to a car. Again, use lights and fans whenever you need them but don’t walk off and leave them on. It’s OK to leave fans running while you’re sleeping.

Some boats store sewage in tanks and some flush directly overboard. Ask the skipper. Some marine heads don’t like TP but most are fine. You will get flushing lessons so pay close attention so you don’t have to ask for help at an embarrassing moment. If you forget – ask first! Practice ‘courtesy flushing’ wherein you flush as you go when you do ‘big business’ in the head.

Trash is always a challenge as there are limited places to dispose of it. Try to compress trash before you throw it away. Get rid of unnecessary packaging before you come aboard. During offshore passages, it may be necessary to throw paper and food scraps overboard. NEVER throw plastic overboard. Food scraps are usually eaten by the fishies or birds. Again, ask the skipper.


YOUR STUFF: All of your stuff must stay in your bunk/cabin. Lots of people living in a small space can get tense when there is junk everywhere. Everything will fall on the cabin sole if it is not secured or put away which is not only a mess, but a hazard. If you share a head, be sure you dry the counter, and put your toiletries away when you’re done. Ask about hanging towels to dry.


FOOD: There is plenty to eat but running to the supermarket is impossible when you’re out there. If you get the munchies, help yourself to the community food available all day-every day. The cook has meals planned with certain ingredients set aside. If we all rummage through the lockers and scarf up whatever we see, our meals will suffer, and the cook and the rest of the crew will hate you. If you want something you don’t see, ask the cook. Please discuss food preferences, allergies etc BEFORE the trip. We may not be able to change things once we set off.

CLOTHING: Sailing usually includes every possible type of weather. It will be cooler, warmer, dryer, wetter, sunnier than you think. Be prepared for all of the above. Ask ahead of time about what to expect. You will always need sunglasses, a big hat, a jacket, sunscreen, proper shoes. Please don’t expect to go barefoot onboard as you will cut and break your feet and spoil your trip (and your feet).

CREWING: Every boat and skipper is different. Every boat has its rules that may be very different from what you are used to. Much of it has to do with experience(s). For example, a sailor who has been hit in the head with a boom is going to be very aware of where you are sitting. Even if the rules seem silly, follow them. There is a reason for everything. Avoid adjusting, untying, tweaking, starting, stopping etc without asking first. Good skippers are not on a power trip, they just need to do things a certain way for everyone’s safety. They are responsible for the boat, your safety and your lives.