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Cheat sheet for Newbies #124914
03/22/2017 04:26 PM
03/22/2017 04:26 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 47
Georgia, USA
N
NGAWolf Offline OP
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NGAWolf  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 47
Georgia, USA
This will be our 6th charter in the BVI's. My college age daughters are bringing 2 friends that have never been sailing nor in the Virgin Islands. We did give them one of our cruising guides as reference. I seem to remember a cheat sheet someone developed about sailing with Newbies in the BVI. It explained some reference terms about sailing and boats and also had notes about what to expect in the BVI's Can someone recall it?

Thanks

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Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: NGAWolf] #124915
03/22/2017 04:39 PM
03/22/2017 04:39 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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sail445  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
Let them know it's like camping but with Bars and Restaurants
😎

Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: sail445] #124916
03/22/2017 06:17 PM
03/22/2017 06:17 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
agrimsrud Offline
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agrimsrud  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
There have been some posts on this forum on this subject. Maybe do a search and you can find some lists.

Here is the list I send my guests. I'm trying to be realistic about the experience so they have the proper expectations while at the same time trying to make it a positive set of instructions. I've been trying to fine tune this message for the last couple of batches of guests. Its a work in progress.

Here is the message I send out:

-------------------------------

As I indicated yesterday, you should plan to bring very little. Here is roughly my pack list for a week:

2 swim suits
6 t-shirts and some underwear
2 pair of shorts (plus the one I'm wearing)
1 pair of clean (never used with dirt/oil/grime) leather gloves. You can use sailor/biker gloves but personally I find them to be too hot to leave on my hands and and takes too much time to put on/off. Just a plain pair of leather gloves that I can slip on for a couple of minutes works fine for me.
1 pair of sandals or flip-flops which I'm wearing when I get on the plane. Need to be able to get wet. You will mostly be bare foot on the boat. Make sure your foot gear won't leave black sole marks on a boat.
Sun Gear which consists of:
2 pair of sun glasses, i.e., the pair I usually wear and a back-up pair. Must be polarized. And make sure you have a lanyard 'cause they might try to fly off your head in the wind. I used my back up pair on October btw, I whacked my head up against the bimini top stepping on board the first day and popped one of the lenses out which of course fell in the water never to be seen again. Back up pair saved the day.
A bucket of sun block. I usually use the spray on kind but this can be difficult if all your are bringing is a carry on.
Whatever else you might need to protect yourself from the sun such as hat, etc.
Rain gear. Atleast a rain jacket. If we get in some squalls you can cool off quickly if you get wet + wind.
Beach/Sailing Music (my phone) + a usb cable
Flashlight
Reading material
Mask & Snorkel
Towel - we use the light weight skinny towels that dry quickly. You don't want to bring a thick towel 'cause it will never dry and mildew
Ear plugs. I bring the disposable foam plugs you get at the drug store. Why do you need them? Lots of noises on a boat that will wake you multiple times a night. I find I need the plugs the first couple of nights but after that I'm find without them.
Camera
I bring a BVI sim card for my phone. Phone/text only. Cell coverage is possible if you have a global plan but even that may be spotty. If no global plan you will not get coverage in BVI. I would not do anything, i.e., use my BVI phone for emergencies. That's one of the upsides to going - there is virtually no communication to the outside world which is a good thing when going on vacation. We will pull into some places that have free Wi-fi if you need to catch up with something.
If you don't know for certain that you don't get motion sick get a prescription for Transderm Scop patches
Money and credit card
Passport

I can not adequately stress the need to deal with the sun. NAMEHERE - you tan and probably do ok. I don't. And I don't think NAMEHERE is any better. And even if you do well you will want to be a bit careful. The cockpit has good shade. But everywhere else you're getting direct sun plus the reflection. It's like being in a sun broiler. Most of the trips we have had down there we've had a lot of cloud cover especially in the mornings. But once it clears up you can certainly feel the sun frying you.

The most common personal safety/discomfort things to watch out for when sailing are:

* Sun burn
* Drinking enough. You will be sweating more than you are used to and you need to drink plenty of liquids to make up for it.
* Staying dry. If you are wet - especially with salt water - and have any clothing rubbing you might chafe. I tend to chafe in my crotch which can be uncomfortable. I bring some Gold Bond with me and make sure I stay dry most of the time. And certainly rinse with fresh water after being in the ocean. There is a shower hose/nozzle on the back deck for this purpose.
* Rope burns. Usually a result of not thinking through what you're doing like popping a clutch without having wrapped the line around the winch the one time you didn't wear gloves. Dumb stuff like that. I'll go over that the first day out so you have at least heard the warning. But you will likely still do it at least once.
* Smashing some body part. Again part of the safety briefing. The boat weighs 10 tons. If it's moving you are unlikely to stop it by putting your body part between it and an unmovable object. I've never had anyone on the boat smash anything but I've yelled at a couple of people who were on the path.
* Getting enough sleep. This will not be too bad of an issue on this boat since it has a generator and AC. Without it it's hot/stuffy and hard to get to sleep. But even with the temperature under control the boat is moving around a bit which at first may cause you some less than ideal sleep. We're going to try pretty hard to find/use protected anchorages to minimize the boat movement at night but unfortunately there will very likely be a couple of nights that the boat is rolling/moving enough that it's pretty annoying to fall asleep.
* Tender feet. I don't walk around barefoot enough so the diamond finish on the decks tends to make my feet pretty tender. I always try to toughen up my feet as much as possible before going on a trip by walking around barefoot as much as possible in the weeks before.

The most common causes of property damage are:

* Docking accidents and/or hard docking the boat. Usually involves fiberglass dings (or worse) or possible damage to a rub rail.
* Grounding the boat
* Wrapping a line in the prop. Multiple ways to do this but most common is running over the dingy line while backing up because you didn't bring the dingy up short during mooring/anchoring/docking.
* Sucking up a line or debris into the bow thruster
* Hitting rocks/coral with the dingy and/or dingy outboard prop
* Swamping the dingy while attempting to beach it in the surf
* Having an agenda instead of intentions. You should never have a set sail agenda 'cause that makes you less likely to take into account the weather/boat/crew conditions and you try to force something to happen that would not otherwise. If conditions are not favorable then a day at anchorage is a perfectly fine place to be.

Sailing a boat - especially when sailing in unfamiliar waters - is probably not unlike being a pilot. Long periods of boredom interspersed by brief periods of stress/terror.

The intention of these long lists is not to make you discouraged or rethink this trip but rather make sure you have some idea what you're stepping into and have you be as prepared as possible. This is an active vacation. You will not be sitting around napping and ordering up room service. You will be relatively busy with stuff to do each day and you will likely be physically tired at night. It will be a fantastic trip and unless you are motion sick the whole time I can't see any possible outcome where this won't be one of the most amazing trips in your life time. And of course the company is great😁


Life's short - sail more!
Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: agrimsrud] #124917
03/22/2017 09:37 PM
03/22/2017 09:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 481
7
706jim Offline
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706jim  Offline
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7
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 481
I read this long list and agree with everything you said.

Good job!

Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: NGAWolf] #124918
03/23/2017 12:24 AM
03/23/2017 12:24 AM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
D
dkenny Offline
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dkenny  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
Maybe this is the thread? The top link doesn't work, but there is one later on that does.

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...rt=all&vc=1

We also bring bug spray and small supply of remedies including band aids, bacitracin, aloe, itch cream and Advil.

Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: agrimsrud] #124919
03/23/2017 07:39 AM
03/23/2017 07:39 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 241
Springfield, MO
justaroofer Offline
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justaroofer  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 241
Springfield, MO
Quote
agrimsrud said:


Good stuff ^
I'm adding ear plugs to my gear. Great idea.

I would also suggest considering Ginger to combat/cure motion sickness instead of other meds.

Ginger is a natural anti-nausea substance, and in my and my crew's experience, has no unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, etc. I urge my crew to take a Ginger pill, regardless of their history with motion sickness, on travel day, when we step on the boat for the sleep aboard, and again in the morning as insurance against fun-killing motion sickness. After that, only if they think they need it.

On our first trip to the ilons, the folks that were worried about motion sickness used the patch with mixed results/experiences. Since then, they've used Ginger and have been much happier.

Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: dkenny] #124920
03/23/2017 07:50 AM
03/23/2017 07:50 AM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
agrimsrud Offline
Traveler
agrimsrud  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559
Apex, NC
Quote
dkenny said:

We also bring bug spray and small supply of remedies including band aids, bacitracin, aloe, itch cream and Advil.


Obsolutely. As the captain I have a different list that the one I give my guests - the first aid items are on my list.


Life's short - sail more!
Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: agrimsrud] #124921
03/23/2017 08:54 AM
03/23/2017 08:54 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
denverd0n Offline
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denverd0n  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
Earplugs for the noises on a boat? Um... Yeah. On our boat that would probably be me snoring! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: denverd0n] #124922
03/23/2017 09:40 AM
03/23/2017 09:40 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
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RickG  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
I have a pretty long list that I give folks with the caveat that it is more than you need. My daughters use that list, plus they bring four bathing suits and combo shampoo/conditioner.

Some things to add to the discussion:
- Refillable water bottle
- Hat
- Chargers/batteries for electronics
- Non-Deet bug spray, we use picaridin
- Non sprayon sunscreen

I bring generic Bonine and electrolytes to share. Both are good for hangovers. DEET and sprayon sunscreen can stain fabrics and DEET melts plastics.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: RickG] #124923
03/23/2017 01:03 PM
03/23/2017 01:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
rita_irvine Offline
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rita_irvine  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
This is a Crew Safety list that I found to be helpful for newbies to boating. Hope it helps.
<a href="file:///Users/ritairvine/Documents/Sailing%20Crew%20Safety%20Tips.webarchive" target="_blank">file:///Users/ritairvine/Documents/Sailing%20Crew%20Safety%20Tips.webarchive</a>


Rita
It is better to be happy than it is to be right

[Linked Image]
Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: rita_irvine] #124924
03/23/2017 01:08 PM
03/23/2017 01:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
rita_irvine Offline
Traveler
rita_irvine  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,545
Here and There
First link did not work: here is the text:


Sailing Crew Safety Tips
SAILING CREW SAFETY TIPS
(Courtesy of Traveltalkonline.com contributors)
No. 1 is where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them (including in the engine box).
No. 1 (yes, there are two #1s) is where the MOB button is on the GPS and related MOB procedures.
2. Know the purpose and location of electrical/light switches.
3. Know how to use the VHF and how to contact Virgin Island Search and Rescue (VISAR).
4. Know location and contents of the first aid kit.
5. Don't carry anything in or out of the boat. Always move yourself first, then the bag or whatever.
6. One hand for the boat, one for yourself while moving about the boat.
7. The lifelines are not meant to steady you as you move about the boat. Use shrouds or handholds instead.
8. Move slowly about the boat. Nothing really bad can happen then.
9. Close all hatches and through-hulls before leaving a mooring/anchor. Make sure everything is stowed securely.
10. Ginger snaps/crackers or drink are best if you are queasy.
11. Everyone should wear deck shoes or sandals for the first 2 or 3 days until they learn where all the toe assassins are lurking. There are many of them hiding around the deck, and a black toenail or a broken pinkie can put a big crimp in a 7-day cruise.
12. The BBQ can be hot, even if the lid is closed. Don’t lean on it.
13. Watch your head anywhere in, on, or around the boat.
While underway...
1. Always have the tail end of any line running through a rope clutch on winch with several wraps and tension before releasing the clutch. Bad things can happen otherwise.
2. All crew should be aft of the blocks for the headsail when tacking. The sheets can whip wildly and cause nasty injuries or MOB. Same thing goes when furling.
3. When releasing main halyards either control the line with a winch or let it run free and keep hands and all body parts clear of the line!
4. If you are not sure what you are doing, ask the captain.
Mooring...
1. When picking up a mooring ball, if things go terribly wrong, let go of the pole. You won't be able to stop the boat with it! (see MOB drill)
2. It doesn't hurt anything to tie a light line to the boat hook handle and to the boat somewhere so you can retrieve if dropped.
3. Make sure everyone is aboard and accounted for before dropping a mooring or putting the boat in gear.
4. If the main is raised on a mooring, open the traveler and mainsheet and back off the mooring nose to wind. Anticipate the main powering up and the ability to safely avoid other yachts/people/dinks in the vicinity. (For some reason, I like to do this.)
While swimming...
1. Be wary of sea urchins.
2. Don't wear jewelry while swimming.
3. No night swimming.
4. Don’t touch the coral.
5. Don’t feed the fish.
6. Beware of jellyfish... http://www.allatsea.net/article/June_2005/Jellyfish_Season
Dinghy rules...
1. Watch out for flying elbows when starting the dinghy engine.
2. Shorten dinghy painter when picking up a mooring or anchoring or entering/leaving the dock.
3. When beaching the dinghy, be aware that the water may be deeper than you think.
4. Never untie the dinghy from the boat until you have started the dinghy motor and let it run for a few minutes ensuring it will continue to run.
5. If your dinghy ever shuts off abruptly after running fine, you can count on a dislodged fuel line at the motor or at the tank. Make sure both are secure and start again.
6. Never leave the charter company dock until you're sure your dinghy motor will raise up and stay there. If it won't, you'll never be able to dink ashore to any beach... like White Bay, Sandy Spit or Sandy Cay!
7. Carry at least a flashlight when the dinghy is in operation at night.
8. USE said flashlight to watch for anchor lines when coming back from the bars at night.
9. Move the dink as far away as possible from the BBQ.
10. USE the dinghy kill switch lanyard!
11. Is there a pump for the dinghy in case it leaks?
Docking the boat...
1. When the boat comes up to the dock, do not use your leg as a fender.
2. Don’t put your fingers or hand between the boat and the dock.
3. Don’t shout helpful advice to the captain while he's in the process of docking. He has a great deal of experience doing this and despite the fact that his experience isn't helping, neither will your rookie advice.
Head...
1. Know how to use a marine toilet.
2. Take navy showers, and always turn the tap off when not in use anywhere on the boat.
3. If any crew are doing the stern shower and hair conditioner thing, be sure to follow with a deck brush, bucket and dish soap to remove the slippery slime the conditioner leaves on the swim step!
Galley...
1. Always turn turn the gas off on on the electrical panel before turning off gas on the stove.
2. Be sure to turn the gas switch off on the electrical panel.
Fishing...
1. Have a knife handy if trolling. Any MOB, cut the lines!
Captain...
LISTEN TO THE CAPTAIN!
1. The captain's always right and if he's not, he's the one with his name on the contract and bears that responsibility if he's not.
2. Don't be afraid to ask if you don't know, and always offer to help out.
3. If the captain asks you to go ashore for more ice, obey him. He's the captain, and plus running out of ice creates a very unsafe condition on board.
4. Do not keep asking the captain to adjust the white flappy things so they stop blocking your sun.
5. It is considered unsportsmanlike to stand around and laugh uproariously should the captain fall from the dinghy while attempting to disembark at Foxy's. Instead, the experienced seaman should be prepared to immediately throw the skipper a line and a cold beer, though not necessarily in that order.
6. It is helpful to tell the captain at least one good story each day to keep him in good humor.
Qualified Crew Member Course


Rita
It is better to be happy than it is to be right

[Linked Image]
Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: NGAWolf] #124925
03/23/2017 01:45 PM
03/23/2017 01:45 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
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cwoody  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
This from a great trip report by Capt Morgan in 2015.

Quote
With everything stowed, and a cold beer in hand, we spent about 60 minutes taking the crew through the initial safety briefing covering the following:
Safety Discussion: (taken directly from posts on this web site)
1. Please take care of the boat like it was your own. Our goal will be to bring it back cleaner / better than when we got it. Do not force anything, and ask if something does not work the way you think it should. There has been a $1,000 security deposit placed on the boat, be kind to her.
2. Location of life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares, plugs, throw able flotation devices
3. Electrical panel, batteries (isolation switch) , shore power, generator, battery gauge
4. Lighting of the charcoal grill (captain needs to be on board)
5. Proper use of VHF radio, and the importance of weather (mayday procedure)
6. Docking, mooring, and anchoring procedures (never use your hands – roving bumper)
7. Winch instruction and hand placement while operating sheets (ongoing training throughout the week)
8. Toilet operation and water conservation (only things that come out of you go into the toilet), if you plug the toilet, you will need to pay to get it unplugged. Shower off the back of the boat
9. Hats, sun screen, sun burn and hydration (the wind will make it not seem as hot)
10. MOB situation, roles and responsibilities, what to expect as you may see the boat moving away from you initially. Always keep 3 points of contact with the boat , tell someone if you are going to sit on the back steps while under way
11. Proper shut off of propane gas and solenoid switch. How to light the stove.
12. Use of the spare tiller if steering goes out (not a real need with a twin engine cat)
13. Use of the manual bilge pumps on deck.
14. Buddy system for snorkeling, never leave your buddy in the water alone when snorkeling
15. Buddy system for going ashore – never leave you buddy alone on shore, be courteous – let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.
16. Dinghy operation (secure all lines – watch elbows when starting engine) , outboard motor operation
17. Expectations before getting under way (shut all hatches, all laundry inside, everything stowed and put away. Look around and use your eyes. If something does not look right, say something, ask for help
18. You are on vacation, take a deep breath – enjoy. If someone does something that rubs you the wrong way, think about their intention, and let it slide. This is an adventure, and anything can and will happen.
19. Right of way: Portly / Windy always give way, motor gives way to sail (on going training throughout the week, also check out the free “Rules of Sailing” App on your I-phone)
20. In an emergency situation, the captain makes the call, follow the directions immediately, as it could save someone's life.


Chuck W.

Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: cwoody] #124926
03/23/2017 01:56 PM
03/23/2017 01:56 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 89
Mebane, NC
mriley4955 Offline
Traveler
mriley4955  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 89
Mebane, NC
Here is a link to an item that should be on everyones list. I came across it during a visit to a gun show in my area a few months ago. It was meant to be in a bug out bag but my first thought was to have this on the boat.
It is called Oral IV
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9672Z8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered this pack of 25 and I'm going to bring this as a preventative measure to being in the sun all day. I have Yeti's for the crew and will keep them full of ice-water and we will all take one of these Oral IV's as an Aperitif before dinner LOL
Captain Redbeard


I spent all my money on "Boats", "Broads", and "Booze"; the rest I wasted!


[Linked Image]
Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: rita_irvine] #124927
03/23/2017 05:42 PM
03/23/2017 05:42 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 114
Englewood, Florida
D
DaveF Offline
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DaveF  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 114
Englewood, Florida
Re: agrimsrud list: I bring over twice as much and use half as much as I bring
Re: rita_irvine Safety list: Now am am afraid to go!!!

Woe is me. so many problems....

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />


Dave
Re: Cheat sheet for Newbies [Re: rita_irvine] #124928
03/27/2017 11:11 AM
03/27/2017 11:11 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 385
Richmond, Texas
El_Capitan Offline
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El_Capitan  Offline
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Posts: 385
Richmond, Texas
"3. If the captain asks you to go ashore for more ice, obey him. He's the captain, and plus running out of ice creates a very unsafe condition on board."

LOVE IT!!!!!!!

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />


Q: What do you do all day when down island?...

A: I don't really know, but it takes all day to do it...

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