Boating etiquette

Jun 8, 2004
10,375
-na -NA Anywhere USA
I remember a dealer once told Mr. Cowboy to remove his boots and spurs but did not. Spurred the heck out of the new boat and Mr. Cowboy eventually bought that boat thru the courts.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,502
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Anyone who can play a Russian nuclear submarine captain with a Scottish accent should be able to pull that off. The rest of us are mere mortals. Certainly one of the great actors of our time.
And bilingual he only spoke English underwater before they submerged he spoke Russian with a Scottish accent. He can also down an attacking airplane with an umbrella and taught Gibbs everything he knows. Not even mentioning all the double O stuff.

What a stud.

If I ever grow up I want to be just like him.
 
Oct 10, 2009
1,035
Catalina 27 3657 Lake Monroe
I don't think it's a big deal to tell people what works best on a sailboat if they are new to it. If they are offended by a suggestion that they make some small effort in repayment for the time, effort and money it takes you to provide them a nice sailboat ride for free, then you probably wouldn't want to spend time with them anyway. Two years ago, a friend who sails with me once in a while brought a couple friends who had never sailed, one of whom was wearing a scarf. When I suggested to her that because of things like ropes, pulleys and winches she might be better off without it, she seemed appreciative. I doubt it ever would have occurred to her that being strangled by her own very fashionable outer wear was something to consider.
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,048
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
snip- Two years ago, a friend who sails with me once in a while brought a couple friends who had never sailed, one of whom was wearing a scarf. When I suggested to her that because of things like ropes, pulleys and winches she might be better off without it, she seemed appreciative. I doubt it ever would have occurred to her that being strangled by her own very fashionable outer wear was something to consider.
I'd be appreciative, too. Was she carrying a knife? ;)
 
May 12, 2010
237
Macgregor 25 Southern Maryland
I've lately come to the conclusion that unless one's guests are themselves boat owners/sailors [who enjoy sailing], their presence on the boat is more "trouble" than recreation for the skipper.
Note sure I agree totally, but it does impact the "zen" of my sailing when other folks are onboard. Having said that, I still believe it's kinda cool to share sailing with novices, and further believe being clear yet kind about important things like footwear, hats, pfdss, etc., to be the best way to go.
 
Jan 22, 2008
319
Hunter 29.5 Gloucester, VA
Most people I invite out have never been on a boat and don't know. I try and tell them things to bring and wear to be comfortable. I explain about the shoes or barefoot. They have all seemed appreciative and it has never been an issue.
 
Oct 26, 2008
6,240
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
I gave up ...

I can't even get Sue to wear the proper shoes. And her son shows up wearing the boots shown below. But we love his girlfriend, so all is forgiven. Our dog lays on ALL our furniture, too. I just don't have any desire to sweat the small stuff.
 

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Oct 10, 2009
1,035
Catalina 27 3657 Lake Monroe
I think there is another issue as well. I consider myself a recruiter, as our club seems to be rapidly graying, so I am pretty laid back about what newbies do on my boat, as long as they are not endangering themselves or someone else. In my part of the country it can be an uphill battle, getting people to compare sailboats favorably to pontoon boats, but we need to show them that there's more to do on the water than floating around on a grilling and drinking platform. I love sailing; its is a fun sport, challenging at many levels, and I want it to grow on our lake, so I'm careful not to make it seem like it's a rigid, martinet environment.
 

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
?? I do alot of grilling and drinking on my sailboat...??
 
Oct 26, 2008
6,240
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Squidd ....

Up in your neck of the woods, it seems we saw the drinking and grilling happening on an ice berg in your harbor during Memorial Day weekend. It looks like that's going to happen again this year!
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,669
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
?? I do alot of grilling and drinking on my sailboat...??
I can't even get Sue to wear the proper shoes. And her son shows up wearing the boots shown below. But we love his girlfriend, so all is forgiven. Our dog lays on ALL our furniture, too. I just don't have any desire to sweat the small stuff.
+1 to both! Except I haven't met Sue's son's girlfriend. But I bet she's nice.
 
Mar 26, 2011
3,671
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
No idea. Buy a sturdy boat. However, the black marks wore-off in a few months with no scrubbing. And we have a great 3-day trip. It did sound like there were elephants on deck.

 
Dec 3, 2013
169
HUNTER 29.5 PORT CHARLOTTE FL
No idea. Buy a sturdy boat. However, the black marks wore-off in a few months with no scrubbing. And we have a great 3-day trip. It did sound like there were elephants on deck.

Ta-Kill-Ya Sunrise w/o palm trees... ROFL
 
Mar 30, 2013
700
Allied Seawind MK II 32' Oologah Lake, Oklahoma
I'm kind of with Chris on this one. There comes a time in every boat owners life when having a girl on board in high heels isn't a bad thing.
Last spring I was crewing with a friend during a club race. The state college sailing team had co.e out for a visit and we picked up a nice young lady as additional crew.
As we were motoring out of the marina the young lady asked me if it would be OK if she took off her shirt and just wore her bikini top while we were sailing.
I told her she'd have to ask the skipper.
 
Jan 12, 2011
930
Hunter 410 full time cruiser
Hi friends!
Could you please share a polite way of communicating( specifically - what wording to write in an email etc.) requesting friends and guests, to wearing non marking clean sports shoes when on the sailboat?
I tell them "wear tennis shoes or shoes that aren't going to leave marks"

why would you dance around it?
 
Jul 7, 2004
8,480
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Last spring I was crewing with a friend during a club race. The state college sailing team had co.e out for a visit and we picked up a nice young lady as additional crew.
As we were motoring out of the marina the young lady asked me if it would be OK if she took off her shirt and just wore her bikini top while we were sailing.
I told her she'd have to ask the skipper.
I thought the default answer would have been "Yes!" i think it's in the Pirates Code.