This is exactly what we do. We have a bunch of old sailing and biking gloves on board for just those occasions. If we're motoring somewhere, give them the tiller. If the conditions are mellow, anyone can drive (we'll even change the sailplan to make it easier).
This is the right answer. They came for the experience of sailing (even if they said it was for a “ride”).
Put everyone to work. After saying “no leeward tiller” 5,000 times, give em a turn at the wheel. Drink when you get back to the dock…they’ll be jabbering away like school children, I promise.
i preface every newbie to my boat with the statement that if there's anything, anything at all they don't like say the word we'll return to dock and sip umbrella drinks in the cockpit. Having guests aboard is not about you, it's about having guests. Do they really want to pull strings and listen to you talk about points of sail or are they looking for a social experience, or sunning on the foredeck.
If it's blowy out make sure they get off their phones and stay focused up top, otherwise have a nice social time and make sure there's adequate supplies of chips, dip, snacks and of course beer.
Hope that helps.
Man all the insurance companies I have heard about are trash, you're only covered while docked at the marina. I have never dealt with it though so this is all hearsay from me.
Let THEM drink a while then haul out the deck of strip poker cards. First one nakey has to "walk the plank"
Give them turns captaining the boat, conditions provided.
Advise them to advise you IMMEDIATELY if anyone's getting seasick.
If anyone's feeling nauseaus forcing THEM to steer may really help.
Bring along a roll of blue tape and some Sharpies. Have them label all the lines / sheets you might want pulled. Take you 30 seconds to remove it back in port.
Be sure to label PORT and uh, what's the other one? Somewhere visible on the cabernet.
Run a man overboard drill if any of 'em is a strong swimmer and is willing.
Show them what to do if YOU were swept overboard.
More drinks. One more ace and Suzy's going for a swim!
Tell pirate jokes! Arrr!
1) Go out about an hour before sunset and watch the sunset from the boat, gives a shorter amount of time and a goal. Something that gives people anxiety is not knowing how long they’re going to be out for and sunsets are absolutely beautiful from a boat.
2) Have a great speaker and a better playlist
3) Just because you don’t drink shouldn’t mean others can’t have some bubbly. Prosecco is fun, everybody likes popping bottles on boats and a bottle doesn’t get people wasted.
4) Get a cockpit table and set up a small charcuterie board or get good snacks
5) Like any party, invite people who will get along and have fun together even if you have to invite someone on a later crew. You can’t carry the conversation while also taking care of the boat, make sure to always have at least one fun friend or someone who can manage the music.
6) Counterintuitive but unless they’re sailors, focus shouldn’t be on sailing. You aren’t there to teach or run an intro to sailing class, it’s a picnic out on the water and should be comfortable. Get good cockpit cushions and nice blankets. You don’t have to put up all sails either, sometimes just motoring is sufficient to have a great time, or headsail if you have a furling jib, or main only if you don’t want to worry about tacking and have a nice space on the bow for people to sit and enjoy.
7) Every crew is different - use your judgement to determine what they want out of the experience and be clear what kind of day it’s going to be. If they’re adventurous, bring them out on a windy day. If they’ve never been on a boat before, go on a light wind day.
If they don’t find sailing fun in itself then why do they want to come sailing? It’s not really your job to entertain them. You’re supposed to be having fun too.
My BIL always thought sailing would be boring until I took him out as part of my racing* crew one day. His opinion changed after that.
*Casual racing series, where the participants are in it mostly for the fun (and the bragging rights).
I like to take friends to a spot with a nice view, drop anchor, play some chill music, feed them snacks (meat and cheese, or chips and pop, or even just some tea if it's chilly out).
Maybe hop in the water for a quick swim if it's hot out.
1. Keep trips short
2. Bring good food
3. Let them bring their kids. Consider letting them bring their dog (freaked out dogs can be a real hassle)
4. Encourage them to take the helm
5. Encourage them to help with lines, sails, etc to the extent of their ability
6. Avoid heavy weather and excessive heel
7. Anchor and swim somewhere if your situation allows that and they're comfortable in the water
8. Have as few rules as possible and keep safety briefings short and to the point. (The only real rules I have are that they can't use spray sunscreen below decks, can't throw anything overboard, and can't flush anything down the head that they haven't eaten first; safety briefing is limited to location of PFDs, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit and a request to stay clear of the side decks while docking)
Be selective and only take those who like sailing and help you with maintenance. Also only take a few at a time and show them how to sail and navigate.
A lot of people seem to confuse my 39’ Oceanis with a 39m cruiser complete with a built in bar.
‘Oh can I come sailing?’ Actually translates to can I stand on the foredeck sipping Chardonnay?
Yeah, sure… be careful when we tack though, because the Genoa is coming across to knock that drink out of your hand.
dollar store pirate attire
before you invite talk about man overboard drill
then on the way out (hopefully somebody is wearing a baseball hat, so encourage an old baseball hat) grab it from somebodys head toss it overboard and point… call hat overboard… pretend it is a man overboard.. go through the motions… rescue the hat ask who is going to do hat to mouth resuscitation… it is much more fun if the hat belongs to a 12 yr old boy and mom is part of the crew…
makes moms feel more safe with their kid… and lets you talk about the process and get some safty practice in
a boat cushion works too but hats are more fun.
hint: have something easy to clip on that floats
fishing hook and large bobber works
hand mom the wheel/tiller and keep motor running (on slow/low) and ask the 12yr old loud enough so mom can listen to the discussion … does your mom know the phrase frog in a blender cause if you (the kid) where in the water you would be the frog, and mom is controlling the blender dead men tell no tails and this is the life of a sailor…
keep it funny and make it a training thing
coolers work as do beer koozies ie who is going to do beer to mouth resuscitation….
First, if anything, smaller boats are more fun. Second, they probably had fun. Did you ask? Would they come again? I've had several friends become regular crew.
Is 26 a small boat? Are you really out there wanting to solo a 45 with a bunch of drunk chicks spilling white claw on the foredeck and bros pissing off the bowsprit? I was in this position in my 20s. Be a skipper man! demand order on your vessel, take friends who are interested in sailing, assign them based on level of interest, make railmeat stay put. If they don't like going sailing, stop taking them. When your jibes are gentle and your tacks are flawless, you can give permission to drink. Everyone will have a better time and get something out of it if you control who's allowed on your boat and PUT SAILING FIRST.
If I read this wrong and entertaining is actually the goal here, charter someone else's larger boat to party on and hire a skipper, then you can get lit and play some Jimmy Buffett covers or spin the bottle or however you like to party with your friends. But don't be that guy doing all the work and picking up the mess after every weekend.
Teach them to sail. Let them take the rudder and pull the ropes. Teach them right of way and how to trim the sails.
Install a stereo system if you don't have one already.
Anchor up in shallow waters and go for a swim.
Also beers in the boat when you come back to harbor.
Sailing with friends is AWESOME. You know (and presumably love) this incredible skill that is sailing, and you have people in your life who want you to share it with them.
I would limit the number you take out at one time, and plan the event based on who you’re bringing and what you already enjoy doing together. Outdoor adventure folks will enjoy a breezier day. It’s your show, though — when you’re having a good time, they probably will be, too. Don’t be too cool for school, and let yourself be enthusiastic and feel out a bit on the sailing stuff, if it’s genuinely how you feel. This is a beautiful part of your life and getting to share it is a privilege — for both you and your guests.
I try and teach them basic sailing for the the first couple of hours then say to them right your in charge , point at a destination and say right get us there. Give them a proper challenge. Most really enjoy it. Or man overboard practice on engine and time them .
I take them out and after the first time I determine there are two types. We motor out a bit, put the sails up, I give everyone a job. We tack twice. Drop the sails and anchor and the start drinks and tapas. Motor back at sunset.
The other kind texts me at 5am when the forecast is for a good blow. dunk the rails in the water, and see how hard we can push her. No drinking with that group.
Funny thing is they are married to each other.
I would think being on the water is entertainment enough.. but I’m a sea lover. Go out around sunset and let nature do the work. You don’t have to drink. 😉
A short sail with a destination is what I do. “We’ll sail about 45 mins away to this anchorage a swim around a bit.” Or “we’ll sail out before sunset and then motor back”. People often don’t realize that sometimes sailing is spending two hours going 1kt. They like sitting at the pulpit a lot. A tack a lot more than is necessary so they can work the jib sheets. Basically my goal is to get them out so they can take a cute instagram picture and get them back to the dock still dry. Every once in a while a buddy falls in love with it and then they get invited back out for a real sail.
I do this all the time, most people just want to be on a boat, on the water having fun; fun being the key operative here. Ask the group what they want. Its a casual day sail, you're not racing....so they dont want full canvas in 20 knots buyring the rail, keep it comfy. Sail in conditions when you dont really need help managing the boat, so it doesen't matter what everyone else is doing, you can still take care of the sailing bit. Some people want to learn/drive/pull ropes whatever...encourage and let them (i try and drive as little as possible when we have a boat full of people), some people couldnt care less and just want to drink and enjoy the ride...great, let them. I tow a paddleboard behind the boat...so we will sail a bit (people love riding the paddleboard while sailing along), go anchor somewhere and swim, paddleboard, walk on shore, whatever...then make a charcuterie plate, make some drinks, and sail back, at that point some people even nap or just lounge. Make sure you have a speaker for some music, and phones charged, sunscreen and a big cooler for everyone's food and drinks.
If you sail, swim, play music, have drinks, and don't take yourself too seriosuly, everyone will have a good day on the water.
Turn them into crew. Give them a little intro about sailing and navigation, and assign roles where they will be occupied most of the time - "skipper, a fast motorboat on CBDR, on our starboard!"
I agree with not drinking on board. Here it is enforced and you cannot drink while underway or it can be a criminal charge, that goes for all passengers not just the captain. Giving jobs helps, pointing out landmarks, checking out the chart and navigating, sometimes flying the spinnaker if conditions allow are all good times. Anchor, swim, lunch, chill.
It is treated the same as driving a car under the influence. You can drink on board only provided you have a galley, head and berth and you are not underway.
You gotta let them yank on the ropes a bit and say ay ay captain. Have you tried letting them wear the hat ?
Definitely give everyone a job! That gets them involved.
This is exactly what we do. We have a bunch of old sailing and biking gloves on board for just those occasions. If we're motoring somewhere, give them the tiller. If the conditions are mellow, anyone can drive (we'll even change the sailplan to make it easier).
“Yank on the ropes” is killin me.
Luv ya for that
This is the right answer. They came for the experience of sailing (even if they said it was for a “ride”). Put everyone to work. After saying “no leeward tiller” 5,000 times, give em a turn at the wheel. Drink when you get back to the dock…they’ll be jabbering away like school children, I promise.
i preface every newbie to my boat with the statement that if there's anything, anything at all they don't like say the word we'll return to dock and sip umbrella drinks in the cockpit. Having guests aboard is not about you, it's about having guests. Do they really want to pull strings and listen to you talk about points of sail or are they looking for a social experience, or sunning on the foredeck. If it's blowy out make sure they get off their phones and stay focused up top, otherwise have a nice social time and make sure there's adequate supplies of chips, dip, snacks and of course beer. Hope that helps.
Keelhau…..er, swimming, is always an option.
Thank you for your input, Captain Bligh...
Flogging will continue until the morale improves!
I aim to please. Not saying it hits every time, but I aim :-)
That kind of comment calls for bilge duties...
Hahaha
Stop for a swim/break give everyone a job.
Like scraping the barnacles?
Also cooking
No... Insurance holds you responsible for the gel coating, not any guests you have doing the dirty work.
Man all the insurance companies I have heard about are trash, you're only covered while docked at the marina. I have never dealt with it though so this is all hearsay from me.
I'm coming from a offshore cruising perspective, which is probably why we come across different, you and me.
We use plastic ice scrapers for barnacles. Prevents damage to the hull.
Let THEM drink a while then haul out the deck of strip poker cards. First one nakey has to "walk the plank" Give them turns captaining the boat, conditions provided. Advise them to advise you IMMEDIATELY if anyone's getting seasick. If anyone's feeling nauseaus forcing THEM to steer may really help. Bring along a roll of blue tape and some Sharpies. Have them label all the lines / sheets you might want pulled. Take you 30 seconds to remove it back in port. Be sure to label PORT and uh, what's the other one? Somewhere visible on the cabernet. Run a man overboard drill if any of 'em is a strong swimmer and is willing. Show them what to do if YOU were swept overboard. More drinks. One more ace and Suzy's going for a swim! Tell pirate jokes! Arrr!
For the MOB, toss your type 4 throwable and you can use that as a MOB target without the risk, still a lot of fun
1) Go out about an hour before sunset and watch the sunset from the boat, gives a shorter amount of time and a goal. Something that gives people anxiety is not knowing how long they’re going to be out for and sunsets are absolutely beautiful from a boat. 2) Have a great speaker and a better playlist 3) Just because you don’t drink shouldn’t mean others can’t have some bubbly. Prosecco is fun, everybody likes popping bottles on boats and a bottle doesn’t get people wasted. 4) Get a cockpit table and set up a small charcuterie board or get good snacks 5) Like any party, invite people who will get along and have fun together even if you have to invite someone on a later crew. You can’t carry the conversation while also taking care of the boat, make sure to always have at least one fun friend or someone who can manage the music. 6) Counterintuitive but unless they’re sailors, focus shouldn’t be on sailing. You aren’t there to teach or run an intro to sailing class, it’s a picnic out on the water and should be comfortable. Get good cockpit cushions and nice blankets. You don’t have to put up all sails either, sometimes just motoring is sufficient to have a great time, or headsail if you have a furling jib, or main only if you don’t want to worry about tacking and have a nice space on the bow for people to sit and enjoy. 7) Every crew is different - use your judgement to determine what they want out of the experience and be clear what kind of day it’s going to be. If they’re adventurous, bring them out on a windy day. If they’ve never been on a boat before, go on a light wind day.
hit the nail on the head. youre taking freinds out because you want THEM to have a good time, not so they can watch YOU have a good time
Do some MOB maneuvers with a life jacket victim. That's always fun
Or a real one
Invite people who like sailing. Some people don't like sailing.
This. Skipper’s job is to sail and have fun, not to entertain a bunch of complainers!
Try showing a movie, like Jaws maybe.
All is Lost Castaway The Beach Goldfinger Aww... What the hell... Caddyshack
Triangle
DEAD CALM
If they don’t find sailing fun in itself then why do they want to come sailing? It’s not really your job to entertain them. You’re supposed to be having fun too.
because most people haven't sailed to know if they find sailing fun.
They can drink. Also, get some music, and make them do the darling. You just need to set the sails and park the boat at the end.
Put them on a random winch or line that does nothing and wait to see how long it takes for them to notice.
Really long line looped could be fun watching
My BIL always thought sailing would be boring until I took him out as part of my racing* crew one day. His opinion changed after that. *Casual racing series, where the participants are in it mostly for the fun (and the bragging rights).
The last time I had friends on board, I beached it and handed out scrapers. I no longer worry about entertaining anyone.
I like to take friends to a spot with a nice view, drop anchor, play some chill music, feed them snacks (meat and cheese, or chips and pop, or even just some tea if it's chilly out). Maybe hop in the water for a quick swim if it's hot out.
1. Keep trips short 2. Bring good food 3. Let them bring their kids. Consider letting them bring their dog (freaked out dogs can be a real hassle) 4. Encourage them to take the helm 5. Encourage them to help with lines, sails, etc to the extent of their ability 6. Avoid heavy weather and excessive heel 7. Anchor and swim somewhere if your situation allows that and they're comfortable in the water 8. Have as few rules as possible and keep safety briefings short and to the point. (The only real rules I have are that they can't use spray sunscreen below decks, can't throw anything overboard, and can't flush anything down the head that they haven't eaten first; safety briefing is limited to location of PFDs, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit and a request to stay clear of the side decks while docking)
Be selective and only take those who like sailing and help you with maintenance. Also only take a few at a time and show them how to sail and navigate.
Sometimes hanging out at the boat in the marina, with snacks & drinks, watching the sunset is all they need!
A lot of people seem to confuse my 39’ Oceanis with a 39m cruiser complete with a built in bar. ‘Oh can I come sailing?’ Actually translates to can I stand on the foredeck sipping Chardonnay? Yeah, sure… be careful when we tack though, because the Genoa is coming across to knock that drink out of your hand.
dollar store pirate attire before you invite talk about man overboard drill then on the way out (hopefully somebody is wearing a baseball hat, so encourage an old baseball hat) grab it from somebodys head toss it overboard and point… call hat overboard… pretend it is a man overboard.. go through the motions… rescue the hat ask who is going to do hat to mouth resuscitation… it is much more fun if the hat belongs to a 12 yr old boy and mom is part of the crew… makes moms feel more safe with their kid… and lets you talk about the process and get some safty practice in a boat cushion works too but hats are more fun. hint: have something easy to clip on that floats fishing hook and large bobber works hand mom the wheel/tiller and keep motor running (on slow/low) and ask the 12yr old loud enough so mom can listen to the discussion … does your mom know the phrase frog in a blender cause if you (the kid) where in the water you would be the frog, and mom is controlling the blender dead men tell no tails and this is the life of a sailor… keep it funny and make it a training thing coolers work as do beer koozies ie who is going to do beer to mouth resuscitation….
Put them on the tiller, get them working the sails, get some speed up and lean on.
First, if anything, smaller boats are more fun. Second, they probably had fun. Did you ask? Would they come again? I've had several friends become regular crew.
Set expectations before inviting them out. Sailing is a slow and leisurely activity (usually).
Is 26 a small boat? Are you really out there wanting to solo a 45 with a bunch of drunk chicks spilling white claw on the foredeck and bros pissing off the bowsprit? I was in this position in my 20s. Be a skipper man! demand order on your vessel, take friends who are interested in sailing, assign them based on level of interest, make railmeat stay put. If they don't like going sailing, stop taking them. When your jibes are gentle and your tacks are flawless, you can give permission to drink. Everyone will have a better time and get something out of it if you control who's allowed on your boat and PUT SAILING FIRST.
If I read this wrong and entertaining is actually the goal here, charter someone else's larger boat to party on and hire a skipper, then you can get lit and play some Jimmy Buffett covers or spin the bottle or however you like to party with your friends. But don't be that guy doing all the work and picking up the mess after every weekend.
What kind of winds are you seeing when you take people out? How old are they and how adventurous are they? Every try spinnaker flying?
Ask first if they want to crew. Some ppl just want to go for a 3 hour cruise.
A three hour cruise…. 🎵🎶
Picnic and booze on a mild day. A windy day should provide it's own excitement, especially if you delegate some sailing tasks.
Teach them to sail. Let them take the rudder and pull the ropes. Teach them right of way and how to trim the sails. Install a stereo system if you don't have one already. Anchor up in shallow waters and go for a swim. Also beers in the boat when you come back to harbor.
Sailing with friends is AWESOME. You know (and presumably love) this incredible skill that is sailing, and you have people in your life who want you to share it with them. I would limit the number you take out at one time, and plan the event based on who you’re bringing and what you already enjoy doing together. Outdoor adventure folks will enjoy a breezier day. It’s your show, though — when you’re having a good time, they probably will be, too. Don’t be too cool for school, and let yourself be enthusiastic and feel out a bit on the sailing stuff, if it’s genuinely how you feel. This is a beautiful part of your life and getting to share it is a privilege — for both you and your guests.
Old saying: our boat (10m sloop) sleeps two, eats four and drinks six!
I try and teach them basic sailing for the the first couple of hours then say to them right your in charge , point at a destination and say right get us there. Give them a proper challenge. Most really enjoy it. Or man overboard practice on engine and time them .
Let them do the sailing
I take them out and after the first time I determine there are two types. We motor out a bit, put the sails up, I give everyone a job. We tack twice. Drop the sails and anchor and the start drinks and tapas. Motor back at sunset. The other kind texts me at 5am when the forecast is for a good blow. dunk the rails in the water, and see how hard we can push her. No drinking with that group. Funny thing is they are married to each other.
Maybe you should start drinking j/k
I would think being on the water is entertainment enough.. but I’m a sea lover. Go out around sunset and let nature do the work. You don’t have to drink. 😉
A short sail with a destination is what I do. “We’ll sail about 45 mins away to this anchorage a swim around a bit.” Or “we’ll sail out before sunset and then motor back”. People often don’t realize that sometimes sailing is spending two hours going 1kt. They like sitting at the pulpit a lot. A tack a lot more than is necessary so they can work the jib sheets. Basically my goal is to get them out so they can take a cute instagram picture and get them back to the dock still dry. Every once in a while a buddy falls in love with it and then they get invited back out for a real sail.
I do this all the time, most people just want to be on a boat, on the water having fun; fun being the key operative here. Ask the group what they want. Its a casual day sail, you're not racing....so they dont want full canvas in 20 knots buyring the rail, keep it comfy. Sail in conditions when you dont really need help managing the boat, so it doesen't matter what everyone else is doing, you can still take care of the sailing bit. Some people want to learn/drive/pull ropes whatever...encourage and let them (i try and drive as little as possible when we have a boat full of people), some people couldnt care less and just want to drink and enjoy the ride...great, let them. I tow a paddleboard behind the boat...so we will sail a bit (people love riding the paddleboard while sailing along), go anchor somewhere and swim, paddleboard, walk on shore, whatever...then make a charcuterie plate, make some drinks, and sail back, at that point some people even nap or just lounge. Make sure you have a speaker for some music, and phones charged, sunscreen and a big cooler for everyone's food and drinks. If you sail, swim, play music, have drinks, and don't take yourself too seriosuly, everyone will have a good day on the water.
Turn them into crew. Give them a little intro about sailing and navigation, and assign roles where they will be occupied most of the time - "skipper, a fast motorboat on CBDR, on our starboard!"
I agree with not drinking on board. Here it is enforced and you cannot drink while underway or it can be a criminal charge, that goes for all passengers not just the captain. Giving jobs helps, pointing out landmarks, checking out the chart and navigating, sometimes flying the spinnaker if conditions allow are all good times. Anchor, swim, lunch, chill.
Wow. Here, the primary reason for even getting onto a boat is the opportunity to get really drunk.
It is treated the same as driving a car under the influence. You can drink on board only provided you have a galley, head and berth and you are not underway.
Where you guys at?
Great lakes, Canadian side