Boating Secrets

What you want on a boating trip more than anything is a relaxing, fun trip that you can share with those around you. It’s sort of like hosting an all-day dinner party on the water. And, as we all know, there are some unwritten rules of etiquette that should be followed during this fun time.

Whenever you invite guests aboard for the day, a weekend or an extended cruise, you should explain to them in advance what is expected of them, especially if they are not experienced boaters. If they are expected to perform duties onboard make sure they know this (and how to do it) before you give the order to swab the deck or handle lines. If you have special "rules" regarding behavior on your boat (smoking, drinking, etc.), let them know before they arrive.

Instruct your guests to bring a minimum of clothing appropriate for the climate in which you will be operating as well as your final destination. Make sure each guest has a good pair of non-skid deck shoes. If your plans are to go ashore for activities other than lying on the beach, make sure they bring something more appropriate than a swimsuit and thongs. Explain the problem of limited space on your boat and ask them to pack their gear in a duffel bag or other soft-sided and collapsible luggage.

If you are planning to visit foreign ports, be sure to let your guests know in advance what documents and ID they need to bring and make them aware of any local customs they should know about.

When quests arrive, assign a locker or a specified area where each person can stow their gear and make clear that everything should be kept in its assigned place. It could be dangerous or impair the operation of your boat to have clothing and other gear floating around loose.

Make sure your guests know that your times of departure are based on tide, current, weather conditions and time to make the next destination. You should explain that they should be onboard, have gear stowed and be ready to leave well before the departure time you have set.

For overnight trips, you should also explain that the time to rise and shine is based on the convenience of everyone aboard and the cruising plans for the day. You, as skipper, should be the first to rise and the others should follow shortly after.

Make guests aware of the limited washing and toilet facilities on the boat and instruct them to be time considerate to others. Also instruct them thoroughly on the use of the marine head and the importance of water conservation when cruising between destinations. Make clear, also, when you announce in the evenings that it is time to retire everyone should do so.

Familiarize your guests with safety and emergency procedures before leaving the dock. Explain fueling procedures, docking and undocking plans, etc. Make sure someone onboard is able to take over for you and operate the VHF radio to ask for help should you become disabled.

By being up front, honest and direct with your guests everyone onboard will have a safe and more pleasurable trip.

As a guest, there are a lot of things you can do that can not only bring about some good feelings, but also go a long way toward making things easier for the host or hostess. These are little things that can really mean a lot in the long run!

• Offer to chip in some money for fuel. Gas can get expensive for a boat and the owner of the boat is already responsible for the everyday costs associated with boat ownership. Offer to pay for gas and your friend will appreciate you for it!
• Think about bringing along food. If you’re on a day outing, a simple picnic lunch will suffice. For overnight trips, you may take care of all dinners and let the host have lunch. Either way, bringing along food is a great goodwill gesture.
• Help out whenever and wherever you can. But be sure to ask first. Show some interest in what the skipper is doing and have him or her instruct you on proper procedures.
• During docking, be still. It seems like every time a boat gets close to the dock, you see people gathering up their belongings, moving about and getting ready to debark. This can be distracting to the skipper, so just sit tight until the boat is moored.
• Have the skipper of the boat let you know about safety procedures, if you don’t know them already, and point out where safety equipment is located. If anything should happen to the pilot, it’s a good idea for at least one guest to know how to summon for help.
• Don’t carry luggage or heavy items on with you. Boats can list severely when the weight balance is upset. Either put your heavy item on the boat first and then you get on or vice versa.
• Offer to help clean up once your trip is done. It usually takes one person an hour or two to organize the equipment, clean up trash, washing off the boat, and other mundane activities that responsible boaters must do to take care of their boats.

Be thankful that you have a friend who cares enough about you to bring you along on their boating excursions. They can be amazingly fun get-togethers that you will remember for a lifetime. But make sure those memories are good ones. Be a courteous guest, and do your part.

Boating is an excellent way for families to get together and spend time with each other. That means that kids will be along as well.