The following information and guidelines is intended to make your visit enjoyable for all . . .
When planning a visit, you can choose the location or the time, but not both! Whichever you choose, the other one will most likely be given to you on short notice. This is due to our needing to be flexible with weather conditions. If the wind doesn’t cooperate, we may be waiting it out for a week (or even longer) until it turns and we can move on under favorable conditions. We don’t intend to beat up our boat or ourselves trying to get somewhere. All guests need to understand this; sometimes you might be waiting at the pre-arranged meeting place waiting on our arrival.
When packing, think outdoor, very casual, and plan for all weather conditions. The weather can change drastically and quickly. It might be hot at the dock, but offshore the wind is blowing and the air cools down quickly. Plan to bring shorts, t-shirts, swimsuits, long sleeve shirts, slacks, sweater or fleece, windbreaker or other jacket. If you have foul weather gear, bring it along. If you have your own snorkeling gear, bring that also.
Our cabins are equipped with complete bedding, so there is no need to bring your own. However, please bring your own towels to help us reduce laundry.
Pack your belongings in a duffle bag, back pack, or other soft bag that can easily be stowed. Absolutely NO suitcases, please! There simply is not room to store them while you are on board.
Boating shoes are preferable, but white-soled (i.e. Keds) or other non-marking soled sneakers are also acceptable. Most Tevas with spider rubber have non-marking soles.
We usually talk about provisions in advance and assign who should bring what. We have both a refrigerator and freezer on board and prefer not to have hard coolers. Bring any provisions in bags or soft coolers that can be stowed.
Keep in mind that water is a valuable, limited commodity. If you’ve never heard of ‘boat baths’, read up on them prior to your visit. Long showers/baths are simply not available on board. Many times we will bathe in the ocean and then follow it with a quick, fresh water washdown on the boat’s transom.
If you have never been on a boat, or tend to get motion sickness, bring the necessary medication with you. Stugeron (if availble to you) is recommended. Scopalomine is another medication which can help. Also, be sure to bring any medications you need during your visit in their prescribed bottle marked with your name.
Smoking is not permitted on Following Tides.
Our cat, Shadow, is always on the boat when we are.
While we’re always up for a good party, we do not drink alcohol while under sail or motor. Happy hour begins after the sails are furled and we are securely anchored or moored.
Bring spending money in U.S. dollars. These are widely accepted throughout the world. We also ask our guests to cover the costs of all permits, fees, fuel (propane, diesel, gasoline) and provisioning during their visit.
The pleasure of sailing is in the work (so they say!). Everyone aboard is assigned a responsibility. If you aren’t comfortable pulling lines (ropes), let us know and we will let you take over the galley or choose from the endless list of other things to do.
Most importantly, Robert is the Captain. For safety’s sake, it is important that everyone follows his direction, especially when under sail or in a perilous situation. However, feel free to make suggestions or offer ideas on how to do things better or differently at an appropriate time.
Fair winds and following tides!!!
Darlene and Robert