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Taking Friends Out

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/25/2008 : 20:54:29

This topic was just brought up. I was wondering, when you take out new people sailing, what is their initial reaction prior to going out and after is all over, what do they say then. Do you think it was a positive experience or waste of time.
My experience is apprehension at first but find much beauty and peace afterwards. They may not love it but usually its a very positive experience.
Now I must say I am pretty accommodating. Some like to eat and drink-sandwiches, wine and cheese, etc, some like music, some don't, some like to just anchor and swim and watch boats, others like to play with my toys on board. I enjoy making it a truly great experience.
Steve A

Previous Owner
PiSeas II
2003 C250 WK #692
Newport Beach, CA

Edited by - piseas on 06/25/2008 21:04:00

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2008 : 21:09:58

I live in a part of the world where a sail boat is something you see on TV. I've taken people out for their first ever boat ride and others for their first ever sail boat ride.

I get a lot of satisfaction in explaining things...this boat is really just a soap box for me to pontificate from. It is my pulpit, so to speak.

I have had nothing but good experiences taking people out.
Sailing is a very social sport on many levels, I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have this boat.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2008 : 22:27:02

Quote:"This topic was just brought up. I was wondering, when you take out new people sailing, what is their initial reaction prior to going out and after is all over, what do they say then. Do you think it was a positive experience or waste of time.
My experience is apprehension at first but find much beauty and peace afterwards. They may not love it but usually its a very positive experience."

I put them at the helm immediately. The feeling of control inspires confidence. Show the the fire extinguishers, life jackets, kill switch, radio 16 coasties, etc... before you head out and then let them drive while you prep the boat for sail. Teach them about wind direction and then raise the main. Sail with the motor on and the main up for a few minutes so they know you can do that and then shut it off. Sail with just the main. After they are comfortable, raise or unfurl the jib. Go slow and explain why you are doing EVERYTHING. Knowledge is power and I am proud to say that I taught my wife to sail in one day using this method. Then ther was the guy that bought a pearson 30 4 days after going out with me for the first time.

Sten

DPO C25 #3220 "Zephyr", SR, FK
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Newport RI

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5896 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2008 : 08:46:06

I also like to get a newbie actively involved in sailing the boat - steering it, tacking it, etc. Most important is to make sure that the experience is completely positive. Don't bore them by choosing a day when there's light air. Don't scare them with excessive heeling in too much wind. Choose a day with winds in the 10-15 range to keep the boat moving nicely, but well-behaved, and set your sails appropriately. Explain everything. Take a cue from your guests. If they are young and adventuresome, and if they want excitement, give them what they want. Add sail area, let the boat heel more, etc. If they're older or more timid, reduce sail area, and sail it upright.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2008 : 08:57:27

I've had about 95% good experiences. The only negative that I can think of is sea sickness as I'm sailing coastal Florida. Even though I'm in a heavily "boated" area I've taken many folks out that haven't been on a sailboat and they just love it. Daytona Beach looks really different from 5 miles off! The twinkle in their eyes is really fun to see.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2008 : 11:03:58

I've taken a lot of people sailing, usually for their first time. Some love it, most get seasick. The keepers are the seasick ones who want to come back.

I put novices on the helm as soon as I clear the marina. I have the main up and the motor on. As I shut down the motor I let them drive and learn to steer.

Go up jib and sail around the harbor. If things are going well, out into the ocean. The ocean run usually takes about 10 tacks and we switch here and let them learn to trim.

We take just as much ocean as they can without getting sick. Sometime 5 minutes, sometimes 2 hours. We sail upwind.

On the way back, I feed them and give them a drink (unless too seasick).

If the guests are kids or teenagers we anchor, take the kayak to shore, play on the beach, and go have ice cream in Belmont Park (roller coaster, etc.)

For me, success comes when they say "so how much does a boat like this cost?"

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2008 : 11:32:29

So far so good...I do a little on-boarding about the life preservers, explain what we'll do and how we'll do it - first thing is getting a hand w/ the dock lines, I think involvement is the key to getting folks into the experience. Then there's the patter of commentary about wind direction, speed, traffic, radio chatter etc...once we're onto the Bay, and the sail plan is stable, I'll pass the tiller off to those interested. We keep an inventory of snacks and beverages on-board and they're always available.

Edited by - jerlim on 06/26/2008 11:33:39

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2008 : 12:56:28

We start with dinner on the boat at the dock. Then we head off. I offer to the guests that they can do as much or as little as they want in regard to running the boat. Of course, I never relinquish responsibility for the safety of everyone and if the situation ever deteriorates then the main crew is back at the helm and controls. Also, no one rides on our boat without a PFD on at all times.

I find that most folks are perfectly happy being a passenger and enjoying the ride. Some like to steer and the wheel is intuitive for them in that regard.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2008 : 16:19:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Then ther was the guy that bought a pearson 30 4 days after going out with me for the first time.

Sten

DPO C25 #3220 "Zephyr", SR, FK
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Newport RI
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Great job but I better not go out with you if I know whats good for me!

Steve A

Edited by - on

Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2008 : 17:25:15

I take people regardless of weather, barring electrical storms; if we're going, we're going. I try to determine how much they want to be involved; some want to help out right away and learn "how it works", others want to just sit on the rail and watch the clouds and the water. I make a point of explaining what's happening and why, those who do the best are those who ask a lot of questions. As far as how comfortable newbies are with sailing, they come in a wide range; some can get out there in heavy wind and weather, reefed and going hull speed and have a great time, others I've taken have been been nervous in moderate air. I've even had at least one I can think of who was terrified to the point of screaming in moderately strong wind and rain. That one I had to bring back to the marina and set on the dock.

Generally when I take people out, it's strictly for sailing and that's what we do. I reserve long trips, anchoring, cooking meals and so on for very close friends. My boat is my home away from home and I like to keep it that way. I think I'm more selfish this way because I went through a period in my life where I took a lot of friends sailing and they would invite their friends and their friends would invite friends and so on. The upshot of it all was that I played host to a lot of people I didn't know and it made me resentful. I found very often I would end up back at the dock with my boat trashed and my guests leaving me to clean it up. Eventually I wised up and began telling friends that seating was limited.

So when I take people out to sail, I make sure to have enough food and drink that they will stay healthy and happy. I make sure they eat and I particularly make sure they drink enough to keep them from becoming dehydrated. I teach them as much as they want to know, I involve them as much as they want to be involved. I watch them carefully until I feel they can handle a task so as not to endanger the boat and passengers. The more trips they take and the more they demonstrate competence, the more responsibility I will give them. Eventually there comes a time when I give someone the helm and go to the head and have no concern that the boat will not be properly handled. Not many get to that point, those are the ones who become sailors.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2008 : 09:58:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Then there was the guy that bought a pearson 30 4 days after going out with me for the first time.

Sten

DPO C25 #3220 "Zephyr", SR, FK
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Newport RI
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hope you taught him how to set an anchor!

Edited by - GaryB on 06/28/2008 09:58:45

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2008 : 10:23:00

Quote: "Hope you taught him how to set an anchor!"

Hilariously, this guy has not done the deed yet. We did meet up - while we still owned our C25 - in Bristol RI to anchor out and socialize - a storm blew in and we went in to set our hook and he caught a mooring, backwards to the wind - he finally got himself untangled... Anyhow, we have discussed the proper 7 to 1 program with at least 45 feet of chain. My new rule is 1.5 feet to the length of the boat. That ratio and those who run higher seem to drag less when on a combination rode..

sten

Edited by - on

Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2008 : 08:43:57

For chain/rope combination, Chapman Piloting: Seamanship & Small Boat Handling suggests 1/2 foot of chain for each foot of boat length, while others suggest less length and heavier chain. I tend toward Sten's way of thinking, but I go with heavier and not so much length. My chain is the length of the boat and 3/8" thick, so it's very heavy, but it gives me peace of mind when I'm anchored in stormy weather. I've never fouled an anchor, but I've had them catch so hard I could not retrieve them. The first time, it was so far from anywhere there was no way I could come back with a diver to find it. The second time I coiled the rode and tied it to a bouy just under water, then brought a friend who dives back with me later to get it. I pointed to the bouy, he went in untied it and can came back with it. Having dropped the rode in deep, murky water he was not able to find it again, so that anchor was lost also.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2008 : 09:52:32

When I took my grown daughter out for her first sail, she loved it, in spite of the heeling in 15-20 knots. She'll be visiting this summer and wants to try again!

Setting the rig to make everyone comfortable is important for new sailors.

Two former grade-school pals just went out with me, and we cruised around the Bay and ate and drank and told each other stories from our 40 years apart. We weren't racing, and we could go in any direction, so they liked the whole thing, including the comfy seats and the bimini. One had been a sunfish sailor, and the other's dad had keel boats for years, but it was their first time sailing for a long time. And then we even missed being sunk by a 400 ft. freighter as we crossed the sea lane!

A fun time!

The admiral came out for supper with wine and fireworks last Saturday night. Nice to escape the sweltering heat by getting out on the water & swimming.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2008 : 11:50:08

Stardog - when an anchor sets hard like that you will need some forward movement to help break it out. I've had my hook so firmly set that I almost called a diver for my C25. I let some more scope out, backed up and then let her rip! C25's need better bow cleats as I was able to make one loose using the ah heck let's do it method. But I learned a neat trick from one of my fellow cruisers a few years ago, and it really works. Take about 2 1/5 feet of chain and shackle it together around your fouled rode. Attach to line long enough to get to the bottom. Then jump in the dink and simply work the chain section down to where the anchor is and use some muscle power to pull it free.

On Zephyr, I had several 20 foot sections of chain that I could attach quickly to the 15 feet of chain attached to a standard 200 foot rode. You can never have too much chain! 1/2 a foot per foot seems like 12.5 feet for a C25. I call that a bit shy of real world expectations.

sten

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