Layfhakersky yachting: a typical beginner mistakes in charter

Caveo non timeo
Beware, but not terrible (lat.)

Today, as part of the yachting theme, we would like to warn novices of the most common mistakes. Some psychological factors have been lit blog, move on to the harsh realities of everyday. If you are going to try to charter a rented boat or even contemplating such a possibility, you probably have seen: in Network can find tons of articles on the positive aspects seylinga, and very little information about the pitfalls that await beginners. Read the rave reviews on forums, look at the blonde in swimsuit sunbathing on deck (as pictured below) - and you think, well, what can there be a problem? And that's what.

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Reception and delivery of boats

Talk about a returnable deposit and how not to lose. Making charter, you pay a damage deposit - a pledge that you will then be returned if the boat comes to port intact. Or do not return (partially or completely) if they detect any damage. Positive point: if you have damaged the boat by a large amount, than the size of the collateral, with you still take him only.

How are the damages? At the very beginning, even before going out to sea, you need to go through the standard procedure: it is called check-in, acceptance. You give a list, the list of property and existing yacht damage, if any. Need to inspect the boat and put in a check-list signature. Take your time with this. You can, of course, blindly trust the skipper that takes the boat with you, and dutifully nod. Most likely, he will do everything in the best possible way. But better make something what is your own.
On most boats you will be allowed to attend the board until the company's manager and skipper are all inspected. Of course, not being a professional, it is impossible to identify some of the subtleties: let it remain on the conscience of the skipper. By the way, the view of the universal conspiracy of the skippers and owners of the boat, which viciously prey on careless novice in 99.9% of cases wrongly. No sane skipper does not come out into the sea, if it finds on the yacht damage or lack of equipment. Of course, too meticulous to be not necessary, but the main points to check or even just useful to know.

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Checklist consists of a detailed list of domestic property on a yacht (from blankets and pillows to navigation equipment) - of indoor - and the same list of everything that is on the deck and in the lockers (drawers under the seats) - outdoor. On the first point no problem typically occurs: small science to count the things on the list and check the documentation. However, in all a good idea to carefully inspect and touch. And latrine, too, of course. If you do not know what a set of letters written in this or that point - ask again at the manager / skipper.

The second part is more complicated. It is necessary to check the sails, grooves, deck, winch, engine instruments and even a thousand little things. Walk for the skipper and watch as he inspects. Together with him (or after it), inspect the deck for scratches, stains and damage. Open the lockers and check the list. Check the operation of all devices: turn on and off, do not hesitate to ask questions. Make your own eyes that all electrical systems and batteries are working properly, while still on the yacht shore power. Then check work offline. Let start the engine (it should turn on immediately and easily). Recalculate the side ends and fenders (all that land people usually calls the word "rope"). Ask a diving magazine to look for damage underwater and consult with the skipper. No magazine? Point out that the underwater part is not inspected. Do not miss a single point, to try Manager for each question that you have a. All deviations fix in writing. You also have to give a short briefing about the features of your stay on board. Even if someone in the company is not the first time there is a yacht, a briefing should be conducted for all.
Acceptance is carried out in the daytime, if you arrive late and do not have time until the evening, better spend the night on the boat, and in the morning, go back to check.
It seems that everything is terribly difficult and scary? This is not the case with you next to a professional, who will be responsible for you in the way, and the boat is not really that big, though crammed with electronics and appliances at the most can not. Just be careful.
It seems to me, it is better to pass boring, meticulous and pedantic rookie than after swimming passing check-out (delivery boats), with scandals prove that "this has been a scratch here, it's not us, it is itself", and then lose their money. And if at the time of check-in skipper was your ally in the inspection and fault location, it is now your company has a chance to be alone with the problem, if it is not shared with you spending originally nothing to do with breakages.
A few more comments about the deposit. You can give him cash or use card. In the latter case, be careful: after the date card can be unlocked at once. Is also non-refundable deposit (150-300 euros), you will not see and which should be prescribed in the contract.
Example checklist and a small dictionary.

We are purchasing the correct

So, you took a boat, completed all the formalities and go to the nearest supermarket bought. A typical mistake beginners: buy a little drinking water and a lot of waste products. And it should be the other way around. Water will leave a lot: acclimatization morning implications of various "excesses", Food, emergency intestinal disorders. By the way, do not take too much alcohol at once. The first days there is a habit, you do not know how it will react to the body. Anyway, take a boat to charter, then all the way to plump, not drying out, it's not ok, right? But most of the delicacies has all the chances to be in the trash, do not buy an unusual and difficult to prepare food. Seyling generally not conducive to good digestion. Look at that buys your skipper (or, if he did not go with you - he pointed out in his list). Yes, the skipper, too, must be fed, with at your expense. Not to buy both the North Pole, it is in the next day or two you will cleave to the shore, where there are also shops and supermarkets.

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It is better to take care of the small things: salt, sugar, dishwashing detergent (it can be useful and more at the pump, if the diesel oil will drop), essential drugs, just in case (including pills / patches from seasickness, but on her talk next time), sunscreen (and more, on a yacht is often an illusion of coolness and a nice breeze, but in fact the sun fuck hoo) and others.
If you plan a little work on the yacht, the skipper to help, be sure to buy special gloves, or make sure that you will be given them. Without them, you simply will not allow many things, for example, work with the sheets (ropes, which is controlled by a sail). By the way, about the equipment: take care of proper footwear. Firstly, it should not spoil the deck, that is the sole need to pick a bright, smooth, no heels and get dirty materials. Secondly, it would be better if the shoe covers toes: deck full of sharp angles and different devices, which are easy to get hurt, especially during pitching. However, this is a topic for another article - what to take with you on the yacht. We continue to talk about everyday problems and warnings.

A short list of "never" for a beginner on a yacht

1. If something fell overboard on the move, never jump after him, even if it is a person. To learn how to behave properly in such cases, you will be told at the briefing before boarding.

2. Never indulge in with the radio. Do not cry to "instill in all-a!" And so on in the same spirit. Do not click the channels. Do not press the red button MOB (man overboard alarm) for no reason. The Coast Guard is working accurately and fine for a false call can be very cruel. In England, if you fly a helicopter - thousands of things at 40.

3. Never walk barefoot on the deck during pitching.

4. Never rest leaning against the winch, and do not touch it - it is one of the major sources of injuries on the boat, even for experienced boaters.

5. Never obstruct skipper charts for complex maneuvers or when approaching / leaving the parking lot.

6. Never to hang things on Leer (fence around the board) and do not leave them on the deck. Everything will blow and wash away in the most unexpected moment.

7. Never throw garbage in the sea, do not trash from the sea. For it may be fined.

8. If the skipper of calm, never panic because of the fact that it seemed to you, if something goes wrong.

9. Never jump onto the deck (his or someone else's), if there are people inside. It gives the impression of an exploding bomb. Besides, you could end up trauma for you.

10. Be careful on the galley kitchen. Never leave cupboards open (all fall and will break when rolling). Do not cook hot, if the boat is on the move under sail, you can cool burned.

11. Do not waste fresh water in vain, her supply is limited and the recovery costs money. Do not try at the first parking lot to fill the tank with fresh water by yourself. Go wrong with the tank - pour the water into diesel fuel.

12. Never use a latrine standing. Even without comments, just do not do it.

13. Never throw in a latrine foreign objects, it is not the city bowl.

Title: Throw the toilet only that which has been previously eaten.

So, we looked at the most common problems faced by newcomers. Of course, the list turned out not full, but the amount of readable article, unfortunately, limited. Next time we will look at the topic of motion sickness and digestive problems on a yacht in more detail, it will devote a separate article. In the meantime, I wish you all a fair wind, the sea and on land luck and I hope that this information has been helpful to you.