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a keg on board?

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new sailor
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/06/2006 : 21:09:00

When my boat is loaded with seven thirsty sailors, the job of going down below to bring up another round for the crew while under way seems to be one of the least desired tasks. Rocking around while it's hot down there usually doesn't set too well with my landlubbing friends. I was wondering if anyone has tried moving a keg aboard in lieu of having dozens and dozens of empty beer cans littering the sole (everyone misses the pitch to the trash can located at the bottom of the companionway stairs).

A pony keg, just over 7 gallons, should do the job for a daylong outing. It'd probably fit in the lazerette along with its ice-filled container and I'd plan to pipe the tap through the coaming.

If anyone has ever attempted a setup like this, I'd like to know if it worked well. I'm particulary concerned with how the constant motion would affect the contents of the keg. Would there just be a constant flow of foam from the tap or does the internal pressure of the container supress that? Can anyone think of a better, more practical area to keep the apparatus? I can think of lots of advantages this idea would have, what might be some disadvantages?

Input would be greatly appreciated.

Former owner of a 1989 C25 WK/SR #5862
Clear Lake, TX (near Houston)

http://www.myspace.com/a_boat_called_lafawnduh

Edited by - new sailor on 11/06/2006 22:47:34

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 21:54:19

I am very Libertarian when it comes to copping a buzz, I don't care how or where you do it. However, drunks suck. Drunks on boats and docks suck more. I would never have anything on board that promoted consumption of mass quantities. Honestly, I do not mean to preach but if you are really going to have that much beer on board you need to tether your guests to the boat. People joke about the percentage of drown men found with their zippers down but it has some truth to it. The only sailor ever lost at our lake was off the bow and no one noticed until way too late.

Frank Hopper

Edited by - on

mashedcat
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 22:13:37

i agree with frank. you need all your faculties running a boat. i hate to sound like a prude. i think its at least as important to be in control on your boat as it is in your car. too many things can go wrong when you are on a boat. dont put other boats or people in danger.

Edited by - on

mashedcat
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USA
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Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 22:15:07

ps. ive been in too many places (anchorages, marinas, life) where the party that others were having was not the one i was the least bit interested in. be polite

Edited by - mashedcat on 11/06/2006 22:16:58

new sailor
1st Mate

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USA
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Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 22:19:07

A gallon of light beer consumed over a period of about six to eight hours probably wouldn't significantly impair most who are accustomed to such quantities.

Now, back to the subject at hand...

Edited by - new sailor on 11/06/2006 22:48:39

mashedcat
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USA
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Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 22:20:12

thanks, frank

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 22:25:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by new sailor
 A gallon of light beer consumed over a period of about six hours probably wouldn't impair most. Now, back to the subject at hand...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Wow you must hang with the Irish or maybe even the Aussies. Being a Science/engineering/techno nerd myself it sounds like what you need in your dumpster is a large tank of liquid Nitrogen and a nozzle on a hose. Drag the cans of beer in the water in net bags, pull them up as you need them, use the nozzle. You can custom cool each can.

Edited by - on

mashedcat
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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 22:25:50

i guess i aint changing your mind

Edited by - on

new sailor
1st Mate

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38 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 22:30:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
Being a Science/engineering/techno nerd myself it sounds like what you need in your dumpster is a large tank of liquid Nitrogen and a nozzle on a hose. Drag the cans of beer in the water in net bags, pull them up as you need them, use the nozzle. You can custom cool each can.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Way too complicated.

This is would be the ideal setup:

...but a C-25 isn't quite big enough for that.

Edited by - new sailor on 11/06/2006 22:42:49

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 11/06/2006 : 23:16:40

you are going to be on a vessel that even at dock or at anchor rolls with the tide, the waves, the current or the act of your drunk buddy quickly making his way so that he can hurl to leeward (hopefully you've taught him that). You noted that the c25 isn't quite big enough...well..its also not as stable as the boat in your picture.

This isn't the Frat house built on stable ground. Remember back in college how annoying it was to wait for the foam to go down....Think of it as an eternal chance to wait for the foam to go down, because it won't.

Then there is a question of ice. A twenty pound bag in the Texas heat thrown in the sail locker or lazarette will melt in about 40 minutes. So now you are drinking Warm, Foamy Beer.

Then there is a question of resale value. Most sailor, while they love their beer, don't really love the idea of extra holes in the boat....especially ones without sailing functions.

Toss in the law... When given the chance to board one of two boats who do you think the coast guard, local police, DNR or other law agency will choose? the guys who have a beer can in their hand or the guys with a beer tap coming out of the cabin coaming.

You think the cabin is messy now, wait until one of your buddies gets seasick because he is choking down foam and not beer....

just my two cents.

PS - 128 ounces in 8 hours is still going to be over the legal limit - even in texas and even if you weigh about 600 lbs.

Edited by - Champipple on 11/07/2006 05:57:14

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 04:49:42

Man, I thought I drank a lot, but 12 beers in a day?
I'd consider modifying one of those round coolers to fit the keg in, packed with ice, then run the line through one of the coaming boxes.
I like a cold one as much as the next guy, but I just don't feel comfortable drinking unless the boat is docked or moored. Even anchored, I keep it to a minimum.
Good luck with this.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 06:46:18

From the point of a 25year navy veteran I would be worried stiff.
Sadly here in south florida we see way too many boats captained by the impaired, most always power boats. The display of 'impaired ability' is astounding. Make it worse with an overload (7 guys on the boat) and the recipe gets worse.
We frequently see kids injured in car accidents where the car was overloaded and it was the behaviour of the group that caused the distraction and then the accident.
Create that environment on a boat and something bad is almost certain.

A Skippers primary duty is the safety of his crew and others. If you watch the scenes of Court TV filmed in the holiday isle area of the keys you'll see what happens when the mix of beer/saltwater/crowds goes wrong.

So if nobody else is prepared to say this, then let me...

<center>Please don't drink and die!
Especially on a sail boat.</center>
Paul

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 07:19:32

To beat a dead horse, I have't had so much as a can of beer on Gallivant in 16 of the 17 years I've owned her. I found that even one can of beer caused a woozey lack of attention to what's going on around the boat. I do carry a bottle of wine or two on cruises and enjoy a glass after dinner while on the hook or tied to a pier.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 08:22:24

Seven thirsty sailors and a keg of beer...How big is your holding tank?

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 08:25:18

The P.O. of our boat added the 12v cooler in the galley area. I can fit about 3-4 six packs in there if I wanted. Usually I carry 1 on day sails, or two if I plan to have help doing projects around the dock. However, when I am sailing I expect myself and those around me to be sober. I drink water and gatorade because I have a constant case of dry mouth when I sail. And you never know when you need everyone's undivided and clear attention in case of an emergency.

And I guess I sort of look at it this way. If you wouldn't put a keg with a tap in your car, you shouldn't do it on a boat. Don't get me wrong, I drink my fair share of beer and don't have anything against it. I just don't do it before and during a sail, just like I don't do it before and during a day of snow skiing. You're just asking for trouble.

Edited by - cat1951 on 11/07/2006 08:26:02

bamasailor
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 08:31:43

Me thinks New Sailor may be jerking someone's chain!!! LOL

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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621 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 08:43:28

I'm not going to preach about the consumption of alcohol on the boat or on land; mainly because I was introduced to sailing and taught to sail by a bunch of guys who were vetran boozers. Carrying enough beer was never the problem on their boats because once we finished the 12 0r 24 pack we would start on the bourbon, rum and/or gin.
Strong drink has historically been associated with sailors and sailing. BUT I credit my involvement with sailing with actually reducing my alcohol consumption because I became too busy tending the boat and trying to coax another knot out of the sails to bother with drinking. Also, and I know that this sounds trite but it is true none the less, I have come to like the buzz I get from sailing better than the high from the booze. I'm not a Teetotaler by any means,and I still enjoy a good dock party once and awhile but the thought of modifying my boat to allow my guests to enjoy their beer intraveniously shivers my timbers. And besides, no one has addressed the real issue in your original question - "How to serve seven thirsty sailors" - The problem is not that you are loaded but that YOUR BOAT IS OVERLOADED!! So if you don't mind a little advice from a former drunken sailor; reduce the number of your guests, increase the number and size of your sails and nurse a couple of beers, you'll have even more fun. All things in moderation - including moderation- Ya gotta let loose once and awhile.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 09:03:27

YIKES !!! 12 BEERS A DAY SHOULD GET YOUR LIVER READY TO GO SOUTH IN ABOUT 12 MAYBE 13 YEARS. ONE OF THE BEST WAYS THAT I'VE FOUND TO LIMIT MY BEER DRINKING WAS TO MAKE MY OWN. COULD NEVER MAKE THAT AMOUNT OF BEER IN MY GARAGE

VAL ON THE HARD DAGNABIT,PATCHOGUE,N.Y.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 09:20:37

Having a keg onboard sounds like a great idea.

If the harbor police or coasties come aboard for an inspection you'll have enough beer onboard to offer them all a tall one staight from the old tap, which would probably please them so much that they'd definitely overlook any other infractions they might uncover.

I've discovered that most boating while intoxicated charges stem from the fact the the offending skipper doesn't have enough beer onboard.

Having a keg onboard should definitely do the trick to keep you out of trouble with the law and in case one or more of your guests suffers an injury while on your vessel, your defense in the resulting civil suit can be that they were "hitting the keg" and it was their own fault.

Edited by - oldsalt on 11/07/2006 09:26:38

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 11:50:11

Are you going to have a keg sized holding tank or do you have a porta-potti?
One time out on the ol' lake there was a big party on a boat and the action that caused the cops to show up was complaints about the boys whizzing over-board.
Forget the keg. Use a cooler(s) lots of ice, everyone gets their preferred beer.
And if you've got seven thirsty sailors on board, certainly you can all chip in and hire a barkeeper to do all that fetch'n and running about for a couple hours. The barkeeper may even be able to help steer your home at the end of the day.

Edited by - on

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 11:52:03

I like a cold one as much as the next guy, but I've found there are some good non-acholic beer out there and you can still operate your boat.

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 11:55:31

And If you are going to do the barkeep,,,and possibly as TOASTED as the old boys may get...WHY NOT HAVE....
WAITRESSES! Now that would keep them from bouncing around! or maybe not.. HMMM

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 12:06:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by oldsalt
 ...Having a keg onboard should definitely do the trick to keep you out of trouble with the law and in case one or more of your guests suffers an injury while on your vessel, your defense in the resulting civil suit can be that they were "hitting the keg" and it was their own fault.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
And be sure to bring a few cases to the trial and offer a couple of rounds to the judge and jury.

Seriously, Colby, you're looking for trouble, and whether you find it or it finds you, The Law is not going to be amused when they find a tap on board.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/07/2006 12:07:53

djn
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USA
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Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 13:32:18

I am one hundred percent Irish Catholic so I know how to drink. Back when my Dad and his brothers hung out on their numerous boats, like Larry, once they finished the beer, they started on the booze. When I was young I thought you had to be drunk to operate a boat properly. I had one uncle that would only fly his Piper 180 airplane after he left the bar. But these days I am too busy to drink while sailing and don't feel a need to do so. I carry a bottle of Rum and six pack of coke on board just in case I'd like a drink at the dock, but it still remains unopened. Here in Michigan, they passed a law that transfers ANY vehicle violatioin to our drivers license. So if they water cops pull you over and you are drinking you get a DUI on your car license. ps. if you remember my story about my first outing on my boat, it was four motor boats full of very drunk $(*&@$(&^#@*$( that left me stranded in the middle of the night. Cheers and New Sailor, don't take all these responses to hard.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
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Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 13:42:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 ps. if you remember my story about my first outing on my boat, it was four motor boats full of very drunk $(*&@$(&^#@*$( that left me stranded in the middle of the night. Cheers and New Sailor, don't take all these responses to hard.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dennis, You had to have looked so pathetic on that first night that it would have been hard for anyone not to punk you and leave.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2006 : 14:00:41

We have ONE beer coming in from a race, thats 3 hours out on the lake in 100 deg. weather, We drink allot of water and stay focused most of the time. We are one of the only boats to take a cooler out on the race coarse.

We have the KEG back at the dock, we sit around and have a couple of beers and shoot the crap. At this point you are ready to go home and take a shower and go to sleep.

BUT, We have all talked about the KEG on the boat, You will need a CO2 tank, a couple of hoses, A trash can of ice, and the KEG. OR you can just get the pump kind, put it in the cockpit and just open your mouth, then you don't need any cups.

OR

Take two beers for each buddy and have a beer bong(funnell and hose) after two in the Texas heat you will be ready to head back in.

OR

One bottle of Jaeger and a 12 pack of Red Bull and make everyone Jaeger Blasters. Don't forget a bucket for the puke, and don't try and wash it out going 5 knots buy throwing it in the lake.

Edited by - on

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