Boating etiquette

Rwrohlfs · Feb 21, 2015

I just tell everyone that it is bad luck to wear shoes on board!

Jackdaw · Feb 21, 2015

don't overthink this. it's your boat. people will expect you to have, set, and communicate rules. tell them to wear clean, non-marking footwear.

Kings Gambit · Feb 21, 2015

Rick J B said:
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 am eager to make the experience enjoyable without having the worry of scratching the deck or coming over as a fussy old sea dog! Examples would be much appreciated. Thanks so much! Kind regards,
Rick

I just tell 'em to wear white tennis shoes; no regular "street shoes." I also strongly discourage any type of "loose-fitting" shoe lacking a heel strap, such as flops, some sandals, Birkenstocks, etc. Most guests will ask what type of clothing or other stuff to bring; that's when can you tell 'em. Also, no bare feet. It's unavoidable--if you're in the role of "sea dog" long enough, you become one!

Tom J · Feb 21, 2015

It does pay to be up front with guests about what they should wear. On one trip, my wife's sister-in-law showed up in open toed shoes complete with sequins. Later, my wife went below and found her sister-in-law polishing her toe nails, with the polish bottle open on the dinette table, with the boat heeled!

Kings Gambit · Feb 21, 2015

Tom J said:
It does pay to be up front with guests about what they should wear. On one trip, my wife's sister-in-law showed up in open toed shoes complete with sequins. Later, my wife went below and found her sister-in-law polishing her toe nails, with the polish bottle open on the dinette table, with the boat heeled!

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.

Jackdaw · Feb 21, 2015

Kings Gambit said:
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.

wisdom.

$tingy Sailor · Feb 21, 2015

I applaud your desire and generosity to share our sport with friends and family. Where would we be if nobody took the time and trouble to share it with us?

I suggest you take the initiative and not wait for them to ask what they should wear or bring. And rather than make your speech, email, or whatever primarily or solely about footwear, cover all the appropriate aspects of the outing where you can offer advise to make theirs a more enjoyable and memorable experience: food, drink, clothing, footwear, seasickness, sunscreen (no sprays), sunglasses, headwear, what they can expect to see, do, and how long you will be out. If you help them set realistic expectations up front, they'll be more likely to enjoy and cooperate rather than be disappointed, surprised, reluctant, etc.

On the point of footwear specifically, people will pay more attention to your advise and you'll sound less like a salty old dog with a Captain complex, if you put your request in the context of the cleanup effort afterward instead of the fear or scratching your shiny sailboat. Nobody likes to clean up messes and they'll usually want to save you the effort too. Say something like "Please wear clean, full-toed, non-marking sole shoes onboard. We clean the boat after each cruise so that it's ready for the next time, and those kind leave fewer marks that have to be rubbed out. They're safer for your footing too. We look forward to a fun-filled day with you as our guests."

Make it fun and you might gain helpers. Best of luck out there.

Ralph Johnstone · Feb 21, 2015

Kings Gambit said:
Most guests will ask what type of clothing or other stuff to bring; that's when can you tell 'em.

Younger women are always advised to wear skimpy swimwear

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Use extreme caution when advising older women in the same group as to what to wear

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Hogheaven · Feb 21, 2015

all the above and just mix it in with bring a light jacket, hat, sunglasses and some comfortable non-marking shoes.

Regards,
Nels

duality · Feb 22, 2015

and give them a copy of this too!

duality · Feb 22, 2015

try again

ROBT · Feb 23, 2015

Most people are pretty aware of the change in environment when they come aboard a boat, even more so when they come a board a sailboat. We always keep a small rubber-backed rug draped over the the cockpit gunwale and onto the side deck at the boarding gate and set our boat shoes right there. As soon as someone starts to board, they see that and take their shoes off, regardless of what they are wearing!

Chris Patterson · Feb 23, 2015

Yes, depending on the wearer, these shoes are acceptable..

Gunni · Feb 23, 2015

Let them know that inexpensive non-marking shoes are available at walmart and other discount stores. Non-boaters have no use for expensive boat shoes.

Roadking Larry · Feb 24, 2015

Can we add jeans with rivets on the back pockets to the list of banned from the boat clothing?

Mark Maulden · Feb 24, 2015

Plain English works well. On top of that, I say no suitcases (for extended stays) and I say when the boat departs.

Stu Jackson · Feb 24, 2015

Hmm..............

Roadking Larry said:
Can we add jeans with rivets on the back pockets to the list of banned from the boat clothing?

Only for hippies from California.

Or for your guests who fall down too often in your cockpit.

CarlN · Feb 24, 2015

While it doesn't hurt to remind people, most casual footwear is non-marking these days. And if the shoes are clean enough to wear to a friend's house they should be clean enough for a fiberglass deck. If you want to worry about something, worry about a clogged head.

But you are right to send an email (and then hold a brief orientation on board). New sailors will have a much better time if they don't think that they're "doing the wrong thing". Here's what I always tell new guests:

1. There's a bathroom on board. This will come as a pleasant surprise to many. On board, show them how the head works (actually let them pump during the demonstration) and have an instruction sheet posted for when they forget. They always do forget. Explain firmly several times specifically what can and can not go in the head

2. If any children are coming make sure they bring a lifejacket that the child has tried on and finds comfortable.

3. Tell them that there isn't much shade and it's windy on a boat. Tell them to bring a hat that won't easily blow off. Women coming in large hats is my most frequent problem. Also say no dresses or long skirts (it happens!)

4. Explain how "One hand for yourself and one for the boat" works. This is more helpful than saying "just don't fall overboard". Tell each person where to sit while you are getting away from the dock and raising sail.

5. Seasickness is the biggest risk for the day's success. Assume someone is gong to get queasy. Don't let anyone read a book or hang out below if they aren't sure of their sea legs. Tell them to watch the horizon. Have some ginger cookies. I also keep some of the Sea-Bands on board. It may just be psychological but they usually work.

6. Give everyone (especially the kids) a chance to steer and a chance to use a winch (obviously with supervision)

7. Just before you raise the sail make sure everyone is sitting in the cockpit (not forward) and tell them which way the boat is going to tip. Use your upright hand to show them about how much it will heel and assure them that it can't tip over.

8. Look and sound relaxed but in control at all times. No raised voices. Like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpyzsd0vFw8

Boating etiquette

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