Boat Guests

[NauticalFishwife]

They always say fish and company begin to smell after three days! Is there truth to this? And after three days do you feel guilty for throwing either out?
Today was 6 days in a row with company on board. This is the third year for three of my OLD college roomies to join me on the boat. We DO have a wonderful time, consume a good deal of refreshment (after the boat is safely tucked in) manage to shop, have great dinners, get in jammies and pass around a bottle of spirits while watching a few episodes of "Sex in the City" Yeah, a real chick trip. Oh, and did I mention we also have some great sailing days. But it is a cramped boat with four people on a 37 foot boat and one head for six days.
While not intentional, they tend to adopt the "It's only a boat attitude" and forget it's also my home. They tend not be as tidy as they would in my home on land even with my constant reminders to put things away for space and safety issues. And I'm certain they haven't a clue as to the responsibility I feel for their safety and the safety of the boat. Any suggestions on how to lay out the rules without becoming Captain "B"? I go through boat rules when they board but feel like I'm back in parenting days repeating constant reminders of those rules. And, like childbirth, I'll forget the strain and pain and end up doing it all over again next year!

[Boasun]

This is were a Welcome Aboard Orientation for anyone coming aboard comes into play.

The Orientation will explain all of the safety features of the vessel.

The proper boat etiquette while on board. Which would include cleanliness, chore assignments, Emergency assignments, behavor and anything else that comes to mind.

Written up neatly and a place for the Captain's (your's)and their signatures showing that they understand what is required of them.

Have a picture of the boat on it along with the boat's Specification. Making this a nice souvenir

And this would be a behavor contract for them to abide by. This include the level of drinking also. Because I hate dealing with drunks.

Maybe someone here could write one up a an example.

[Boasun]

Then there is the sign:

Clean up After Yourself!

Your Mother Not here

To Do It For YOU

[Stillraining]

I think you blew it by letting it slide the first year....

Remedy:....Buy a new boat and lay down the rules using the new boat as an excuse for the new toughness..makes you less of the party pooper that way.

Baring that... if thats not an option your interested in ...Lay down the laws in next years RSVP stating your getting Old , Cranky and tired and dont know if you want to do this any more due to the mess..

Threatening taking something away from people and they tend to buck up and pitch in more...most of us are all skaters if allowed.....Remember this is their time to let their hair down a little..Thats why they come....but your not their hired maid either...

PS:.. I dont have parties at my house...

[poopdeckpappy]

Simple fix, buy 3 day old fish before your guess show up

[sailingdog]

Keelhauling the guests would work...but they might not come back.

[xort]

You wimmen are just too damn nice.

Scream at them at the top of your vioce:

I'M NOT YOUR FRIGGIN MOTHER, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF.
DON'T TURN MY HOUSE INTO YOUR TRASHCAN.
YOU PEOPLE DISGUST ME, CLEAN UP OR SHIP OUT.
DON'T MAKE ME GET THE BELT!

Any or all of those will straighten them up right quick.

[chucklesR]

Toss loose items over the side , if they run out of clothes call me

Seriously, get a garbage bag, pick up the flotsam and put it in the garbage bag; just tell 'em if they won't you will. Throw the bag on their berth (any of them at random).
Do the same thing with dishes, plates, etc.. food and all - right in with the clothes and other things left laying around.

No yelling, just a one time reading of the rules - loose items left laying in public spaces go into my 'you are screwed bag' I don't care what it is, who's it was or why you just forgot. You can have your item back at any time by getting it. If I find the same item twice in the same day it will fall overboard or into the real trash. Everyday I will clean the items in the bag for you by tossing it overboard and laundering it.

It's rough, it's tough, it's a angry dad reaction to kids being inconsiderate and

it is amazingly effective.

It takes once, just once and they get the message.

Works at home too - a plate full of food and glasses with soda etc. found under their pillow is a nice surprize; I figured they left it out thye were not done with it so I put it away for them

[timebandit]

Soooo, in your college days how did your room look??

Rick

[MIKEMCKEE]

Martha,
Don't scream at them, just be calm and set down with them IF you have another boating trip and say to them "last year you caused a bit of a problem concerning keeping the boat clean and safe, think about haow you would feel if I came to your house for 6 days and left my clothing and dishes just laying around". This just might get them to think that, hay I wouldn't want that in my house, so Martha might not want it in her living quarters.
Martha it's worth a try, at least you'll be getting the point across to them without having to point fingers at any single person, keeping it gerneral. I know I've got a Irwin 37CC and even though it seams big enough it can get cramped with 4 adults on board.

Good Luck,

Chief
s/v Blue Bayou