Ocean Sailing Adventures – What to Expect

Life Aboard

For most, the first 12 to 24 hours will be filled with either excitement, anxiety, or both while adjusting to life aboard. Once you get the "butterflies" out and begin to understand the daily routine you will become more relaxed, allowing you to learn and enjoy all aspects of the voyage.

Each type of passage, be it offshore or coastal/island hopping, will have similar duties. The exception being that the offshore passages have the goal of sailing non-stop the entire leg, while the coastal/island hopping passages offer one to two night sails and anchoring the other nights.

Expectations during your time as crew will be:

  • Adhering to a proper watch schedule
  • Steering
  • Trimming sails
  • Navigation
  • Monitoring weather
  • Recording logbook info
  • Cooking
  • Cleaning
  • Anchoring/docking
  • Getting proper rest
  • Maintaining a positive attitude

No Smoking While Aboard
No Recreational Drugs Allowed Aboard

Sleeping Arrangements:
Each individual/couple will be assigned a berth/cabin. This is the cabin to be used when sleeping in most situations and where your gear will be stowed. There may be times when conditions dictate that we hot-bunk (rotating/sharing berths when not on watch) to be sure everyone is getting adequate sleep/rest.

Meals Aboard:
Eating well tends to keep morale high while passage-making. Everyone will be required to cook/prepare at least two meals, one lunch and one dinner, during the trip. Prior to our pre-departure meeting we will discuss a projected daily meal plan for lunch and dinner. After the pre-departure meeting we will make a final grocery store run for any provisions that were not on our initial list.

Breakfast - You are on your own. Watch schedules can make it difficult to time a hot breakfast for everyone. That being said, if you are cooking or preparing something it is considered good form to ask those that are awake if they would like some also.

Lunch & Dinner - A rotating cooking schedule will be created at our pre-departure meeting. One crew, two when needed, will be preparing each meal.

 

Not Included :
Travel, including flights, to and from the boat. Any ashore purchases, including meals and beverages.

What to Wear/Bring

Pack light. Crew tend to bring more than they need. A small to medium size duffel bag for clothes/foul weather gear and a backpack for land-based excursions and no bigger than you would carry onto a flight will suffice.

Passport - If you have chosen a leg/passage that requires a passport, please do not forget it.

Already Onboard

  • Linens, Blankets & Pillows
  • Personal Sleeping Bags
  • Towels & Wash Clothes
  • Beach Towels
  • Snorkel Gear
  • PFD with harness and tether

Required to Bring

  • Foul weather gear - Rain jacket with hood, rain pants, water-proof boots or shoes. Check with Defender, West Marine or equivalent.
  • Deck/tennis shoes
  • Headlamp with white and red lighting
  • Re-usable water bottle
  • Personal and sea-sickness medicines

Recommended to Bring (passage dependent)

  • Spending money for personal purchases and land-based activities
  • Casual wear (1-2)
  • T-shirt (3-6)
  • Long-sleeved t-shirt (1-3)
  • Quick-drying shorts (2-4)
  • Swimwear (2-4)
  • Pants - Quick-dry (trust us) (1-3)
  • Warm Layers - Fleece or similar, long underwear (1-3)
  • Warm Sweatshirt, Coat, or Jacket
  • Underwear & Socks
  • Gloves for warmth
  • Warm hat/beanie/toboggan
  • Sailing gloves
  • Sandals or flip-flops (optional)
  • Hat with brim
  • Sunglasses
  • Toiletries Bag - Typical items for yourself when traveling
  • Sunscreen
  • Entertainment - Books, tablet, music (headphones are required)

Crew Resources

Sign Up Application & Personal Info
Payment Schedule & Refund Policy

Seasickness Articles
Cruising World
DanBoater
Intrepid Travel

Apps
Navionics (Navigation)
Aqua Map (Navigation)
PassageWeather (Weather. Not an app, but save to your home screen for quick access)
Windy (Wind Forecast)
PredictWind (Wind/Weather Forecast & Router)
Tides Near Me (Tidal Charts)
SailDroid (Speed & GPS Coordinates)
Animated Knots (Knots)
WG Marinas (U.S. Marina Locator)

Websites for Learning
American Sailing Association
Sailnator
Discover Boating

Books for Learning
Sailing Made Easy
The Complete Sailor
The Annapolis Book of Seamanship
The Complete Sailing Manual

Book Lists for Casual Reading
ASA - 8 Great Sailing Books
Sailing Europe - Top 10 Recommended
Good Reads - 88 Sailing Books

Videos for Learning
There are plenty of YouTube videos online for learning the basics of sailing. Go to YouTube and search for "learn to sail".