5 things to know about life on board
The rules, that is the unwritten rules that it is good practice to know and follow, especially when one is at first experience with life on board. For many, the sea is a lifestyle, especially if lived on a sailboat. To better live an experience like this, it is good to be informed, to take every aspect before boarding and during navigation. Let's see what are the precautions to be followed before boarding and the following at sea.
- Once at the dock it is necessary to complete the rental procedures, then the formalities such as possible payments, stipulation of insurance coverage and rental contract, which obviously will not be required if already completed before the delivery of the boat.
- Respect the check-in and check-out times, it is a good rule and recommended to show up on time and deliver the boat on the set day and time.
- The delay especially for the check out could lead to penalties to avoid. The advice is to return to the port with a good margin of advance, if expressly requested at the time of delivery, follow the return directions scrupulously. It is advisable to take out a non-repayable insurance policy, which protects you from any risk of damage to the boat. It is not too expensive and will make you travel at sea much more serene.
These are the conditions to pay attention to, to be followed exactly, even not very new boats have a certain value, so it is good to be precise and safe.
Life on board
Everything changes in the boat, it's a world of its own and there are conditions dictated by life on board. Rules and attitudes that are useful above all for the success of the holiday itself, but which in any case affect everyone's habits. Let's see which ones.
- The first thing is to adapt to the obviously narrower spaces, especially with regard to the bunks and the bathroom. The use of the bathroom requires special care, the drain is a crank and the toilet paper should not be thrown into the toilet but into a special bag. The sea must be protected as well as lived.
- To keep in mind that the electrical energy on board is precious, in many boats the power supply is 12 volts, except for exceptions where there is an inverter that turns it to 220 volts with the engine running. It is good to know therefore that there are limitations and therefore some discomfort if one does not have this awareness.
- Food and galley, with the heat we tend to put everything in the fridge, so it is good to know that those on board are not great, so avoid filling it until it collapses. For example, prefer boxed foods as much as possible, so as to leave room for chilling drinks. In any case you can always go ashore in some small port and stock up on fresh food or maybe have some dinner in typical restaurants.
- Sleeping on board, spending the night on the boat is something exciting, especially the first few times. Perhaps the first few nights, given the novelty, we don't pay much attention, but it should be remembered that space is little, so it's better to be aware of it.
- Where to spend the night, there are two possibilities, the first is moored in the port, but certainly less "adventurous" than a night at anchor in the harbor. Maybe in a small half-deserted bay where you can dine by candlelight. For long stays in the port it is necessary to pay, in high season, however, it is necessary to book the berth beforehand.
These are the crucial points of life on board, obviously not as comfortable as a suite at the Grand Hotel, but do you want to put the charm of a sailboat?
