Looking Forward To A Sail
Some people undoubtedly decide to charter a boat without a second thought. Perhaps they have sailed before or maybe they simply have the kind of personality that lives and breathes “que séra, séra”. However, over half of our guests who charter do so for the first time. But even if the person paying for the day on the water is experienced, his or her family or friends may not have the same level of knowledge or confidence.
So, what should one expect when chartering a crewed sailboat?
Excitement and Relaxation. The water rushes beneath you as you lay on the wide net while the boat covers ground with the bows pointed to the horizon. The wind makes the sun’s rays on your face just about perfect. The net is a great place to chat with family and friends. This is where you catch up while the rhythm of the ocean swoops you effortlessly. With a bit of luck you may get to see a race go by complete with spinnakers and hasty maneuvers.
After our jaunt to the horizon, as the wind builds we usually “turn tail” and make our way to an anchorage so that you can also enjoy the quiet, very relaxed side of sailing. Sit around the table in the shade of the cockpit and appreciate the food you brought aboard. Maybe jump off the boat before or after lunch. We will gladly make coffee and tea for you. After more time lounging around we will weigh anchor and sail lazily through the East Passage, which on any summer afternoon, teems with activity. Six hours of sailing is never enough and the only thing that seems to pry guests off the boat is their dinner reservations ashore.
Sea Sickness: If you are worried about seasickness there are things you can do to mitigate the chances:
Come aboard already well hydrated.
Don’t come aboard with a hangover (celebrate after you get off the boat)
Skip the coffee, the eggs and the fats that morning.
Bring salted crackers or pretzels (we always have those aboard anyway).
Tell us if you are worried and unsure and we will ease you into it. Any signs you are not well and we will turn toward calmer waters. It also helps to stay on deck and keep an eye on the horizon.
Non-drowsy Dramamine works well.
Some people try alternatives like candied Ginger or acupressure wrist bands.
Storms and Rocks: If you are worrier, let’s get that fear off the table. According to the US Coast Guard Accidents Report https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2019.pdf, larger sailboats like Cénou accounted for only two percent of all watercraft fatalities in 2019. And how many is two percent? 14 for all bodies of water in all waters controlled by the United States. Meanwhile the venerable canoe and loud motorboats accounted for twenty and forty six percents of deaths respectively. Clearly, if you are going to get on the water, a large sailboat is a pretty safe way to go. Just like with flying, your drive to Newport is likely to be riskier than your time aboard.
That Pirate Swig: However, alcohol is a big contributor to boating related incidents. Is that a surprise? While insurance companies and even the crew would like to think that it is possible to keep people from getting in trouble, in fact it is not. Your level of hydration, lag time between consumption and effect and the fact some people “hide” their alcohol better than others make it hard for the crew to get ahead of the curve. And let’s not underestimate that taking the step of telling someone they have had enough is not easy. That is why we ask that you do not drink liquor while onboard and that you drink responsibly.
