Heading back to the BVI's in January for my fourth charter! Seems just like yesterday that I got pulled into this wonderful lifestyle. My previous three trips have been with my wife and kids, but this next one will be six guys. One of them is experienced and certified so we should be able to do all of the heavy lifting. But I'm getting everyone out on the water together in a month to cover a few of the basics with the newbies. I was coming up with a brief agenda of items that we should cover with them (not a full check-in list) and thought I would cheat by asking this great group for input! Again, trying to strike a balance between covering the basics but not scaring them off. What else would you cover with your new crew on an 6-hour introduction? Thanks!

At the dock
Demonstrate proper cleat hitch
Spring lines, bow lines, stern lines
Placement of fenders (round turn & 2 half hitches; clove hitches)
Strategy for approaching/leaving slips
Dock pilings; releasing bowlines under other lines

Down Below
Proper use of heads
Use of galley solenoid
Generator; battery switches, panel
Head/shower sumps
Bilge alarm and manual pump
VHF / cell phone usage
PFD's

Under Sail
Man-overboard drills
Reefing sails

Anchor/Mooring
Communication / signals
Approaching and leaving a mooring field
Windlass operations and safety
Securing dinghy and painter