Things to Know about a Sailing Vacation
A sailing vacation is a very unique thing. Life will be totally different, new and unique for a week...
but isn't that what you signed up for?
If I had to pick a two word phrase to describe a sailing vacation, I would pick the phrase UNIQUE ADVENTURE.
Not only will the climate be different from what you're probably used to but the scenery, environment, activities,
meals, sleeping quarters, bath room (referred to as the HEAD on a boat) will certainly be totally foreign to you.
So you wanted something different and adventureous? Welcome aboard as we give you some pointers about life on
a sailing yacht....
THE HEAD/WATER USAGE
This is an interesting and unique "room" on a boat, much different than what you're used to at home.
The plumbing on a boat is not connected to a city reservoir... our "reservoir" consists of 3-water tanks totaling
270 gallons of water. If you forget that you're not home but in a sailing yacht, we will run out of water and have to
go looking for a marina that sells (yes, SELLS, water is not free in paradise!) water and fill up the tanks again, when
wc could be snorkeling or sailing. The rest of your charter party will be upset with you!
So conservation of water will be a new way of life for you, if you want to maximize your fun-time.
This means...
1. When you're brushing your teeth, don't leave the water running. Water should only run while collecting it for
good use.
2. When you take a shower, don't leave the water running while you suds up, let the water run only when you are
actually using it to rinse.
3. When you are done using water, check to see that you have indeed shut it completely off and the faucet is not
dripping surprising everyone to an empty water tank in the morning after a restful night.
4. It's a great water-conservation idea to snorkel or swim every day, rinsing yourself with fresh water from our
fresh water shower when boarding at the stern of the boat. That is a sailor's shower.
If you are the proverbial dog that can't learn new tricks and must lather up with soap, then come up the stern ladder,
lather up, jump back in the water to rinse, and give yourself a final fresh water rinse when you come up again at
the stern ladder.
ELECTRICITY
This is a subject matter similar to water usage.
Islander, as with other sailing yachts, is not connected to the local power plant. Our power plant consists of a wind
generator, a solar panel, and the engine alternator. This energy is stored in batteries.
The batteries have enough drain powering Islander's refrigeration system, auto pilot, and electronics.
This means that it's very important not to leave lights on when leaving a cabin. It's not a matter of cost, it's a matter
of NOISE having to run the engine or a generator if the batteries are low.
LEAVING LIGHTS ON UNECESSARILY, IS A NO-NO ABOARD A SAILING YACHT!
THE DECK
Be careful with deck fittings that can scrape you if you're not paying attention.
People worry about storms, sinking and sharks on a sailing vacation, but the only real hazard is falling over board!
If you fall overboard, it will be difficult and time-consuming to start the engine, turn around, lower the sails and
approach you getting close enough to pick you up.
Since the motorized dinghy is usually hoisted on davits by the stern, the boarding ladder cannot be lowered without
first lowering the dinghy! We do have an emergency boarding ladder which would have to be rigged on the side
of the boat and it is very difficult climbing up that ladder.
Falling over board is a very real danger aboard a sailing yacht and you should be carefully thinking about that as you
slowly make your way through deck areas always holding on to something secure and safe.
This opens up another related subject... the life-lines. Life-lines are meant to help keep you on board ,but there have
been many documented cases of people falling over board because they trusted the life-lines with their very lives!
So even though they are designed to assist you in staying on board, don't trust you life on a life-line! Use other more
secure deck fittings like the teak hand-rails, the masts, the standing metal rigging that hold the masts up, the bow and
stern rails, etc.
IN ROUGH CONDITIONS, THE CAPTAIN MAY NOT PERMIT YOU TO GO ON DECK AT ALL!
In calm conditions, enjoy the many areas on deck. Even sitting on the bow rail and observing the whole ship with all
sails up and looking down at the bow wave is fine... one of the biggest joys of sailing is the sounds and sights of a
sailing vessel cutting through the water at speed and full sail.
Children, of course, are required to wear life preservers at all times when they step out of the cabin.
ISLANDER CHARTERS ALWAYS HAS YOUR SAFETY IN MIND AND THAT IS WHY WE DISCOURAGE
EXCESSIVE DRINKING.
DO NOT FALL OVERBOARD... YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
THE DINGHY
There will be many times when we will be boarding the dinghy to transport ourselves to land or take snorkeling trips.
Take precaution to hold on tightly to the stanchions (the steel bars at the boarding gate) when boarding or disembarking
from the dinghy. Step on the non-skid tape on top of the rub-rail and then into the dinghy. Sit down, do not remain
standing.
When making a beach landing with the dinghy, the person nearest the bow should step out quickly and hold the dinghy
in place while keeping it from going side ways to the surf. Everyone should follow quickly getting off and stepping on
the sand bottom, all pitching in dragging the dinghy up on the beach away from the water and surf.
The reverse process of getting the dinghy in the water and getting under way also requires a bit of alertness and quickness.
We all turn the bow into the surf and push the dinghy in until the water is up to our knees or so and we're past the surf-
line, quickly get on, sit down and assist the others quickly boarding so that we can get in deeper water and away from
the surf line.
When you board Islander, your feet or water shoes/sandals will likely be wet. Be careful, hold on tightly to the stanchions
in case you do slip and stay aware of the danger of slipping... do not be caught by surprise!
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
The crew is generally up perking coffee just past 6 when the sun is rising. It will be to you YOUR advantage to be up and ready
for fun before 7 when breakfast is generally served.
We will have 12 hours of daylight to snorkel, sail, sight-see, shop in quaint towns, hike, dinghy sail... it goes on and on.
We just want to make sure that you have the time to do all the things you want to do and see.
We generally like getting back to Islander from day-time activities just near dusk for your sun-downers. You can then
relax and reflect back on your fun-filled day while hor d'ouvres and dinner is prepared for you.
This is a time when some may prefer private time in their cabin, others may want to watch the sun go down while
sipping their sun-downers in company of others... it's your private custom sailing vacation... the choice is yours.
Dinner is generally served at 8 and by the time you're done with the different courses and dessert, it's about 9.
Star-gazing, a movie, a walk on the moon-lit beach, quiet times updating your journal... the choice is yours but we
have found through experience that turning in for a good night's sleep by 10 or so is the wise thing to do in preparation
for another fun-filled day.
It's your vacation... we recommend you use your time wisely but above all, have fun and do what you think you should
be doing on your own custom sailing vacation!