LESSONS LEARNED WHILE CRUISING Jamie & Behan Gifford


“Welcome aboard, I’d like you to meet the toilet.”


What better way is there to enjoy


boating than to invite friends onboard; that is, until they arrive with too much stuff, use too much fresh water, and clog the toilet. Whether for a day, or a more extended outing, uninitiated guests onboard can quickly become unwelcome acquaintances. Social etiquette brings out accepted


and courteous tendencies, if not set rules. Upon inviting someone for dinner to your home, the common response is “what can I bring?” Upon inviting someone onboard your boat, the common response should be “what type of toilet do you have, electric or manual pump flush?” Unfortunately, social graces stop short of the potty talk necessary to keep your yacht flowing. This can become a blockage in the relationship unless the boat owner proactively educates guests about this and other such matters.


Messy business just


to go for a sail, perhaps, but whether your guests have boating experience or not, the particulars of your boat and style will necessitate a welcome aboard primer. In addition to preparing so that everyone has fun, the captain of the vessel has a legal responsibility for the safety of everyone onboard. Know before you go, ( http://boat. wa.gov for more details)about boater safety laws. Know what your own comfort level is before going out in adverse weather, anchoring in tight spaces, and dealing with that snot nosed kid that howls because you made him wear a personal flotation device (PFD).


Advance Notice As it is law and common sense,


each person must have a Coast Guard approved and appropriately sized PFD onboard. With three children we often had their friends onboard and had to ask their parents to provide a PFD. Sunscreen, hats, appropriate footwear, motion sickness meds, and whatever else you may want guests to arrive with may not be apparent to non-boaters. Be specific and with enough time for your guests to acquire items they may not readily have. This will save you from delaying departure so you can beg marina neighbors for a child sized PFD.


The Day Trip With guests onboard, it’s time to


bring up the toilet –where is it? How does it work? What are the do’s and don’ts? Flushed with this information, your guests will no doubt be ready to move on to do’s and don’ts associated with boat handling. Skill at assessment and diplomacy, or AssDip as we refer to it, will set the day’s tone. Evaluating guests boating competency may be easy,


Reknowned cruisers Diana and Jim Jessie are the perfect guests, joining the Giffords for some cruising time in Mexico.


48° NORTH, FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 38


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82