Does your sailing experience involve rituals you perform pretty much every time you go out? Do you have particular articles of clothing you almost always wear? How about food and drink--is there a special meal for the first night out or for lunch on a day sail? Is there a special way you check out the boat before going out or before leaving the boat to go home? Do you have a particular toast that goes along with that first can of beer or first glass of wine? Share your sacred boating rituals, then vote in the Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Checklists, Checklists, Checklists
Being a retired Air Force pilot for 28 years, the USAF drummed checklists into my head. I religiously use one for Before leaving dock (28 Items) to Leaving Boat (29) items. They are easy to make on a PC, and all one has to do is do all the required things and as you do them, write it down and print it up neat-looking when at the PC. Hardly ever forget the engine blower before starting, etc. etc. etc.
Being a retired Air Force pilot for 28 years, the USAF drummed checklists into my head. I religiously use one for Before leaving dock (28 Items) to Leaving Boat (29) items. They are easy to make on a PC, and all one has to do is do all the required things and as you do them, write it down and print it up neat-looking when at the PC. Hardly ever forget the engine blower before starting, etc. etc. etc.
Where we go, we don't need roadsJ
When we leave Benner Bay each winter, we repeat our announcement, "Where we go, we don't need roads" It's from a long forgotten movie, but it embodies our adventure. We've been repeating it for 15 years and enjoying the Caribbean freedom it represents. We will miss it when we sell our 40. She's on the market because of our age, not hers. It's been a great experience
When we leave Benner Bay each winter, we repeat our announcement, "Where we go, we don't need roads" It's from a long forgotten movie, but it embodies our adventure. We've been repeating it for 15 years and enjoying the Caribbean freedom it represents. We will miss it when we sell our 40. She's on the market because of our age, not hers. It's been a great experience
Attachments
I have a favorite visor that I wear. I particularly like having pictures of myself wearing the visor while on other boats and while sailing in other locations. The purple visor is the constant. Also, as soon as we return to the slip and secure dock lines, I have my "docking beer". Restless Lady H25
Coin for passage
Tradition holds that captains should keep a coin near the base of their mast as a courtesy to guests and crew. The purpose of the coin is to ensure that funds are available to pay the toll to Charon for crossing the river Styx, in the event that a disaster befalls the vessel during the journey. Before each sail, I ensure that a shiney new quarter is in place, as a courtesy to crew and guests.
Tradition holds that captains should keep a coin near the base of their mast as a courtesy to guests and crew. The purpose of the coin is to ensure that funds are available to pay the toll to Charon for crossing the river Styx, in the event that a disaster befalls the vessel during the journey. Before each sail, I ensure that a shiney new quarter is in place, as a courtesy to crew and guests.
First Toast of the Season
This last Spring, I lost a friend and a good man to a heart attack. Charlie sailed out of CT, and introduced me to sailing 5 years ago. We ran from Mystic CT, to Block Island. I was bitten by the bug, and have been sailing ever since. So starting this year, the first night I'm on board over night, I offer up a Guiness to Charlie and his family for interducing me to a sport that I love. He will be sorely missed by me, and this year there hasn't been a trip where I haven't thought about him. Somehow I think those sailors that move on ... they somehow watch out for us out there. Safe Sailing, Ken
This last Spring, I lost a friend and a good man to a heart attack. Charlie sailed out of CT, and introduced me to sailing 5 years ago. We ran from Mystic CT, to Block Island. I was bitten by the bug, and have been sailing ever since. So starting this year, the first night I'm on board over night, I offer up a Guiness to Charlie and his family for interducing me to a sport that I love. He will be sorely missed by me, and this year there hasn't been a trip where I haven't thought about him. Somehow I think those sailors that move on ... they somehow watch out for us out there. Safe Sailing, Ken
First thing done after opening up is to grab the "perpetual rum bottle" and pour a toast to my late father, Bill, whose boat "Siesta" had been. After his passing, my husband and I took her over. That's been 12 wonderful years! Of course we don our "Siesta" logo caps right away, and raise our Hollywood Yacht Club burgee, so everybody knows it's party time aboard "Siesta"!
Captain Ron
We enjoy an extended cruise every summer and before we leave we always watch Captain Ron. This movie reminds us that no matter what adversity we encounter, the object of our cruise is to have fun, meet interesting people and learn a little more about ourselves.
We enjoy an extended cruise every summer and before we leave we always watch Captain Ron. This movie reminds us that no matter what adversity we encounter, the object of our cruise is to have fun, meet interesting people and learn a little more about ourselves.
Agree: Checklists
I agree completely with JW. 27yrs of flying has taught me the importance of: Checklists: This way, things are NOT overlooked. Routines and Sequence: Do it the same way every time and in the same sequence. This way if you overlook something, it will immedeately stand out. I'm a firm believer in trying to prevent crisises before they have an opportunity to happen. Being prepared helps yo do that. Then I have another routine that I insist upon. Once out there, enjoy your brains out.!!!!
I agree completely with JW. 27yrs of flying has taught me the importance of: Checklists: This way, things are NOT overlooked. Routines and Sequence: Do it the same way every time and in the same sequence. This way if you overlook something, it will immedeately stand out. I'm a firm believer in trying to prevent crisises before they have an opportunity to happen. Being prepared helps yo do that. Then I have another routine that I insist upon. Once out there, enjoy your brains out.!!!!
Checklists for us, too
We have learned that this is the road to safety, relaxation, and fast departures! David Lady Lillie
We have learned that this is the road to safety, relaxation, and fast departures! David Lady Lillie
How Bout some Checklist items
How bouit a few checklist items so that we can cross reference and add as we see necessary?
How bouit a few checklist items so that we can cross reference and add as we see necessary?
Watermelon
I never allow watermelon on the boat. Don't know why but it brings awful luck. not that I'm supersticious.
I never allow watermelon on the boat. Don't know why but it brings awful luck. not that I'm supersticious.
The ritual we repeat on a weekly basis actually happens about 5 minutes before we get to the marina. We take a turn onto the road that approaches the marina and provides a view of Fishers Island Sound. At that point my wife routinely states that it looks too windy to sail and their are white caps. She follows up asking if I am sure just the two of us can handle the boat. My response is that the winds are only 10 knots and the white caps are only wakes. We debate for a little while and I usually convince her it is OK to go out.
Wonder what the rich folks are doin' right now!
We live in Gulf Breeze in northwest Florida and sail Breezer, our Catalina 34, year round. Every weekend, after we clear the last daymark and crab pots out of Villa Venyce we settle in under autopilot on a comfortable reach down Santa Rosa Sound towards the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. My wife Jan mixes great Bloody Marys while we relax in the cockpit and raise our glasses and toast each other in unison: "Well, I wonder what the rich folks are doin' right now!"
We live in Gulf Breeze in northwest Florida and sail Breezer, our Catalina 34, year round. Every weekend, after we clear the last daymark and crab pots out of Villa Venyce we settle in under autopilot on a comfortable reach down Santa Rosa Sound towards the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. My wife Jan mixes great Bloody Marys while we relax in the cockpit and raise our glasses and toast each other in unison: "Well, I wonder what the rich folks are doin' right now!"
The evening tot
I have a replica of the cup used in the british navey for tots @ the end of the day- Each evening everyone gathers and all aboard have a tot of Pusser's Rum to toast the end of the day- The tradition has become well known & those @ the marina (if we're @ dock) or rafted with us @ anchor always show before sunset
I have a replica of the cup used in the british navey for tots @ the end of the day- Each evening everyone gathers and all aboard have a tot of Pusser's Rum to toast the end of the day- The tradition has become well known & those @ the marina (if we're @ dock) or rafted with us @ anchor always show before sunset
bottom line ritual
After all the work is done in preporation for the cruise....ya know all that stuff at the dock. I will make a "boat drink" (Captain Morgan Spiced Rum) with a twist of lime and toast to another wonderful time on the water. You might say my bottom line ritual is relaxing and enjoying the ride. Isn't that all sailors? We all must be having a good time or we wouldn't be sailing. Cheers!
After all the work is done in preporation for the cruise....ya know all that stuff at the dock. I will make a "boat drink" (Captain Morgan Spiced Rum) with a twist of lime and toast to another wonderful time on the water. You might say my bottom line ritual is relaxing and enjoying the ride. Isn't that all sailors? We all must be having a good time or we wouldn't be sailing. Cheers!
daysailing
we have rituals that we use every time we go, which is always. We trailor about 50 miles to the coast so a lot of what we do is to ensure getting there safely. Grease those bearings! check those lights, check way to many times that the boat is secure. After driving to the coast my wife always has to make a rest stop at a local store to (rest). Rigging and launch are a peice of cake and then it's sodas and sandwiches and lots of gatoraid. In our area after all we do to sail, we look weekly at the fine sailboats sitting idle. Ever wonder who owns these boats and why don't they sail?
we have rituals that we use every time we go, which is always. We trailor about 50 miles to the coast so a lot of what we do is to ensure getting there safely. Grease those bearings! check those lights, check way to many times that the boat is secure. After driving to the coast my wife always has to make a rest stop at a local store to (rest). Rigging and launch are a peice of cake and then it's sodas and sandwiches and lots of gatoraid. In our area after all we do to sail, we look weekly at the fine sailboats sitting idle. Ever wonder who owns these boats and why don't they sail?
Right on the pulpit...
When no one is looking, I'll blow a kiss at the pulpit rail as I am leaving, just as a reward to the boat for a good day's sail.... Also, I noticed two other pilots noted that they use checklists. 3 for 3 on this thread - I am proud! I use them constantly - cracks me up a bit. The checklist is used in airplanes to prevent disasters. In boats, I would say that it is used to prevent disastrously embarrasing events. Nonetheless, they have saved my sorry ass a few times!
When no one is looking, I'll blow a kiss at the pulpit rail as I am leaving, just as a reward to the boat for a good day's sail.... Also, I noticed two other pilots noted that they use checklists. 3 for 3 on this thread - I am proud! I use them constantly - cracks me up a bit. The checklist is used in airplanes to prevent disasters. In boats, I would say that it is used to prevent disastrously embarrasing events. Nonetheless, they have saved my sorry ass a few times!
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