Advice to an Offshore First-Timer

[SailorGregS]

It would a great time sailing off shore. What a great time.

[hump180]

Bring lots of tools!!

[munir]

Those are all very good ideas. Some are new and very usefull for me. Listening a stereo, or i-pods are not good ideas. If you are on a watch you'd better be alert and listening to the boat.

[zeehag]

we use a regular cheepo wrist watch that beeps the hour and i only read in cockpit during day--at nite i read sky and absorb nature----is difficult enough to read the sea at night without moon --donot need other distractions--i found music is a very strong distraction when the sa and the boat ar rmusic in and of themselves....LOL....and i never sleep on watch.....have to remain alert---i also fish by trolling in daylight hours---

[jerryrlitton]

[QUOTE=imagine2frolic;356405]One thing I have found handy when having to have newbies hand steer. Is that left is less when keeping a heading.[/QUOTE]

The way I always taught it is that the compass does not turn, the plane/helicopter/boat turns around the compass and left turns the numbers get smaller.

Jerry

[jackdale]

"Cleanliness is next to godliness"

Having done a 21 day passage from Honolulu to the PNW, I learned that staying clean is essential, especially when hot bunking. At least every second day I went in the head, stripped off and wiped myself down with a slightly soapy wash cloth.

We had one crew member who developed distinct (distink) odour. Fortunately I was not hot bunking with him. But it did lead to some dissension among the crew.

Jack

[Stillraining]

Hove too and heave him overboard on a teather