So you have taken the step and decided to live your dream by experiencing the magic of the Caribbean for yourself. The arts, the music, the flavors, the fragrances, the beauty...there is no better way to explore paradise than aboard a Caribbean charter. Whether this is your first time and you are unsure what you are letting yourself in for or you are an old salty dog, when it comes to cruising, everyone can make mistakes. As they say in the islands, however, "No worries, Mon." By following these tips, you will look like a pro on your Caribbean charter.
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KNOW BASIC TERMS
Sailing has a language all its own. Some terms make sense, others do not, but if you know even just the basic words/phrases, it can keep the novice sailor out of trouble. If you hear terms you do not know, do not be afraid to ask! Here are some of the most common:
A) Port, starboard, forward, aft, bow and stern. These are the most basic directional terms. Port is left. (My husband taught me, "You sip port on the left bank"). Starboard is right. Forward is the position in front of the captain, while aft is behind the captain. The stern is the rear of the boat and the bow is the front.
B) Not all ropes are the same. Some are called lines, others are sheets, and others are called halyards. Any lines that open and close sails are known as "sheets". The term "sheeting in" means to haul in the sail, while "sheeting out" means to let out the sail. Sheets are usually part of the rigging on a sailboat. Halyards are used to raise the sail.
C) Windward vs. Leeward. These are also directional terms referring to how the wind is blowing relative to your boat. The windward side of the boat is the side over which the wind is blowing. For example, if the wind is coming from the right, the starboard side of the boat is the windward side. Leeward is opposite of windward- so in the above example, the port side of the boat is the leeward side.
D) Falling off vs. coming up. If a captain "falls off" he is not getting wet! Rather, he is steering the boat more downwind. If he wants to come up in the wind, he is steering closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing.
PAY ATTENTION AT THE CHART BRIEFING
Listen and ask questions at the chart briefing and use your cruising guide during the charter. The employees at the charter base know a lot more about the local sailing area than anyone else and they want you to have a good time on your Caribbean charter. You will learn about great places to go, as well as places to avoid. Pay special attention if a "red line" chart is provided since this highlights dangerous or off-limits areas.
CHECK OUT YOUR BOAT
The charter company representative should give you a thorough orientation to your charter boat. Even if you are an experienced sailor, pay attention because each boat is different and may have unique idiosyncrasies. Make sure that you understand how the onboard systems work, such as the sails, safety equipment, sunshades, ventilation systems, windlass system for anchoring, storage, galley facilities, navigation gear and radios, marine heads and showers, and of course, the dinghy. Also make sure that all the required equipment is on board (ie. the right number of life vests, etc). Point out anything you notice is wrong to the base rep, and try and have any broken equipment fixed before you leave.
LEAVING THE DOCK
Before casting off, disconnect the shore power line first! Check to make sure no lines are in the water that could foul up the propeller. Turn on the engine and then release your dock lines. You can put the sails up after you are in open water and away from the crowded charter base. Coil up your dock lines and stow them. (See below). Untie your fenders as well and stow them in a locker. There is nothing that gives a novice away more than motoring or sailing around with his/her fenders dangling over the side!
LINE COILING AND STOWING
Neatness counts, especially because it is safer. Do not throw lines in heaps about the boat. They will kink, tangle or jam when you need them and you or someone in your crew is likely to trip over them. Rid the line of any kinks or knots. Take one end of the line in one hand, and feed the rope to the other hand, making loops. As you coil the rope, place a slight twist in the line to flatten the coils. Continue to make the loops until you near the end of the rope. Wrap the free end of the line 3 times around the top of the coil. This will form a neck and the coil will have the shape of a bowling pin. Tie off the free end of the rope, and place the coiled line in a storage locker.
RULES OF THE ROAD
It is a big ocean out there, right!? You still have to know the rules of the road. In most cases, motorboats have to give the right of way to sailboats. A sailboat is a motorboat anytime you are using the motor to propel the boat. Sailboats must give the right of way to large vessels such as ferries, barges and tenders because they are harder to maneuver. If you change your course to avoid a collision, make it obvious. Sailboats on the starboard tack have the right of way, as does a boat being overtaken from behind. Even if you have the right of way, do not play chicken on your Caribbean charter. If it is obvious that the other boat cannot or will not change course in time to avoid a collision, you need to change your course.
CLEATING A LINE
A cleating knot allows you to secure a line from one of the strong cleats on your boat to a dock or mooring ball, and can also be used to secure your dinghy to your boat if you are hauling it. First, take a length of line and pass it under the safety rails of your yacht. Wrap the line around the base of the cleat for one full wrap so the line crosses itself once. Second, cross the line over one of the horns of the cleat and then pass the line under the horn. Then bring the line up to cross itself on the top, center part of the cleat and take it around the second horn. Third, make a loop in the line by twisting it once. Place the loop over the first horn, making sure that the end of the line runs toward the rest of the cleat and not away from it. The results should be that the 3 rd crossing of the cleat sits parallel to and on the same side as the 2 nd crossing of the cleat. Finally, pull the knot tight and make sure all lines run freely and will not get caught and tangled on other lines.
HOW TO WRAP A WINCH
Winches are a great tool for sheeting, but plenty can go wrong like pinched fingers or fouled lines. Here is how to do it properly. Make sure the sheets are running straight from the block to the winch without rubbing against anything that will inhibit turning. Lay the sheet in the open palm of your hand, than begin wrapping it in a clockwise motion around the spool of the winch until you have 3 wraps that lay next to each other, snug to the winch. There should be no overlaps or knots in the sheet. Then pull the sheet over the silver guide and into the self-tailing jaws. Make sure the sheet is secure in the jaws. Insert your winch handle and crank away. With enough tension, the winch should rotate and you will hear it clicking. When you are not grinding the winch, remove the handle and place it in its holder. These expensive items have never passed the float test, and having the handle removed is safer if you must quickly release the line on the winch. Remember to wrap your winch before you need it - while there is no load on your sheet. And, always keep your fingers/hands outside any wraps that might come under load.
RAISING THE MAIN SAIL
Determine the wind direction and point the bow of the boat into the wind. Trying to raise the mainsail before pointing the bow of the boat toward the wind is a common mistake of new sailors. If the boat is not pointed into the wind, raising the mainsail may be impossible because the wind fills the sail when it is part way up, putting too much load on the halyard. Make sure the halyard is securely attached, and then unclamp and release the mainsheet in the cockpit. Hand-over-hand, steadily pull the halyard to raise the sail. When the resistance becomes too heavy, wrap the halyard around the winch and grind the winch by turning the winch handle until the sail reaches the top of the mast, and the sail cloth is taut along the mast. Cleat off the mainsail halyard, coil it or place it out of the way so you can sail. Be careful, however, that you never tie off a coiled halyard in a way that you cannot immediately release it to run freely. You never know when you will want to lower a sail quickly! Steer slightly away from the eye of the wind and haul in on the mainsheet until there is tension and the sail fills with wind.
UNFURLING AND FURLING THE JIB ON A ROLLER
Most yachts on a Caribbean charter use a jib roller. The sail is unfurled with the jib sheets. After raising the mainsail, and when the boat is in the open - away from other yachts- release the furling line so it is free to run without snagging. Then with the boat on a leeward reach, pull the leeward jib sheet and the wind will unfurl the sail. Pay attention, however, because if the sail is unfurled too quickly, the furling line cannot unreel quickly enough and begins rewinding on the drum in the opposite direction - similar to what happens on a fishing reel that is unreeled too quickly. To furl the jib, ease the sheet tension and pull in the furling line until the sail is fully furled. Always maintain some tension on the jib sheets to permit a tight wrap on the furler and prevent the lines from knotting as they whip in the wind as the sail luffs. Make sure the jib is tight on the furler, with only a small area of sail projecting, if any. The sheets should be tightly secured around the jib sheet cleats aft and the furling line should also be firmly secured. Any looseness in the system will cause a problem if strong winds develop because the jib will catch the wind and unfurl.
ANCHORING
Anchoring a boat securely is one of the most basic skills in boat handling.
See the article, Anchors Aweigh - A How To For Caribbean Sailing at ViSailing.
The only other thing to add is that if you have an anchor windlass - keep your fingers and toes away from the chain, and always know where the electric breaker is. Novices on a Caribbean charter tend to pull the boat towards the anchor by continually pressing the up button rather than let the boat drift over the anchor chain. This causes too much tension and the anchor windlass breaker can trip. If the anchor is already part way up, this can cause an emergency situation in a crowded anchorage and you have to be quick to flip the breaker back on.
DINGHIES
Besides your actual charter boat, the dinghy is perhaps the most important and fun piece of equipment you will use while sailing. See the article, Don't Be a Dingy With Your Dinghy at ViSailing to learn everything you need to know about your dinghy on a Caribbean charter.
ANCHORAGE COURTESY
You can always tell the novices from the experienced charterers when it comes to anchorage courtesy. The new ones are loud, the music is blaring and at night, every light is on. If you want to look like a pro, be courteous of your anchorage neighbors.
SQUEAKING BOOMS
The sound of your boom squeaking as it rocks in an anchorage can drive you crazy if you are trying to sleep. Be sure to tighten up your mainsheet. In most cases, this will prevent creaks and squeaks.
CLANGING HALYARDS
Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing romantic about the slap, slap, slap of halyards banging about the mast. After docking or mooring, as a courtesy to other people in the anchorage, you should always tie off your halyards so they do not slap the mast in the wind at night and keep other people awake.
USE THE RIGHT NIGHT LIGHTS
All boats must show the correct lights at night whether at anchor or underway. Since most Caribbean charter companies do not allow sailing at night, the only reason to have the boat's exterior lights on is to identify an anchored boat in a dark anchorage and to find your boat when you are returning from shore. Most people leave their masthead light on. A few cruisers might leave the deck light on, but this is really annoying to nearby boats because it is so bright. Recently, we were coming back from dinner ashore when we spotted a boat with its running lights on. These are the red and green lights visible on the port and starboard sides of the bow to indicate a boat is underway. Since everyone was tied to a mooring ball, this was a total novice error - but we did have a slight moment of unease. If you need or want to differentiate your boat from the other Caribbean charters in the anchorage, attach a glow stick to the bow spirit or safety line.
RAIN DRILLS
If you are chartering in the Caribbean, it is safe to assume that at some point during the night, it will rain. It may be for a few minutes or a couple of hours, but it will rain. Rain at night is good if you have clothes or towels hanging on the safety lines. It rinses them out and refreshes them. Rain at night is bad if your shoes are left out on deck or your hatches are open! It is a good idea to pull your shoes in at night. Close the salon hatches before you retire for the night. That way, if you do have to jump up in the middle of the night, the only hatches to close will be in your cabin.
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
Sometimes the best sleep you can get is on your Caribbean charter, but it is always a good idea, especially if you are the captain, to get up and look around at least once during the night. This is important to make sure you have not dragged the anchor, broken free of the mooring ball, or that another boat has not done the same and is heading your way. Checking things out also lets you adjust that clanging halyard or squeaking boom. To avoid banging you head or stubbing toes as you move around, make sure each cabin has a flashlight.
WATER VS. FUEL TANKS
This is a real novice error, but since you are a pro, you will never do it! While refilling either water or fuel tanks during your Caribbean charter, make sure not to mix fuel with water or water with fuel. In both cases, the situation becomes unpleasant and difficult to repair.
USING THE VHF
A cellular phone is probably your best communication device if it has the range to connect you to shore. Many of the charter bases have them available to rent, and they are a great way to reach the base, if necessary, or make dinner reservations once you reach an anchorage. Despite this, all Caribbean charters come complete with a VHF radio - which is simply a two-way radio. Although you may be tempted to play "Smokey and the Bandit" with your radio, they are not toys. Remember that two people cannot talk at once on a VHF radio, so finish your transmission by saying, "Over", let go of the talk button, and listen for a response. Normal transmissions should not last more than about 30 seconds. You can use your radio for:
A) Radio Checks: After leaving the base, turn into Channel 16 and say, "Moorings, Moorings (or name of the charter base). This is the yacht ______________(name of your boat) calling for a radio check. Over." Wait for a response. When you get a response, say, "Roger." To end the call, say, "Over and out."
B) Ship-to-Ship or Ship-to-Restaurant: Call on Channel 16 and then switch to another channel. Whoever you are contacting will tell you which channel to tune into so you can continue your conversation.
C) Emergencies: Always use Channel 16. For an imminent, life and death situation:
1. Say, "MAYDAY" three time. Give the name of your boat three times.
2. Repeat, "MAYDAY", this is _____(your boat name) one more time.
3. Report your position as accurately as possible.
4. Report the nature of the emergency.
5. Report the kind of assistance required.
6. Report the number of people aboard and the condition of any injured.
7. Describe the boat ( length, design, color or any distinguishing marks) followed by "Over."
8. If there is no response, repeat until someone responds.
RETURNING TO THE DOCK
Although you have been sailing like a pro, and as much as you hate to see it end, at some point your Caribbean charter must end and you need to return to the dock/base. The key to docking is slowing down at a controlled rate before you get there. Approaching slower is better but do not get too slow or you will lose steerage. Make sure the sails are all down. Plan your approach so that your crew knows what to expect. Have your fenders and dock lines tied and ready to go. That includes bow and stern lines, as well as a spring line. Approach the dock as directed by the base personnel. Make sure no body parts are between the boat and dock. That is what fenders are for! NEVER have your crew jump to the dock! Sailing etiquette is that if you see a boat approach a dock, you should walk over and offer to help catch a line. On a Caribbean charter, you will always call ahead. Reps from the base will tell you which side to put the lines/fenders on and will be there to assist you. Therefore, you need to know how to throw a line https://decksforlife.ca/ accurately and far. Otherwise, you will miss your target and you will have to pull soggy lines out of the water. The key is to start with a well-coiled line. (See above). Put a few coils (about 15 feet) in your throwing hand and hold your other hand open with the rest of the coils pointed at the target so the extra coils can feed out. Throw the coils underhand, aiming slightly above your target. When you are all tied up, make sure to always thank your assistants!
No matter what you are into - from snorkeling to kicking back on a white sandy beach to musical and cultural adventures, there are certain moments you can only capture aboard a yacht. When you are at sea, there is no better way to see, touch and feel your tropical escape to paradise. By following the above tips, even if this is your first time booking a Caribbean charter, you can leave your worries behind because you will look like a pro!