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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: SeanS]
#96807
05/08/2016 12:12 AM
05/08/2016 12:12 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 9 California
ErikS
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 9
California
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My wife and have done a few charters together (just the 2 of us), although now we also have 2 teenagers to lend a hand, and often another family.
Really depends on your wife's comfort level as far as helping out - my wife didn't have many concerns on our charters with just the 2 of us (usually on a 38' cat), but she has sailed with me on our boat on San Francisco Bay for some time.
You know the charter boats - they are pretty much laid out for basic handling - if she is comfortable with taking the helm while you work the halyards, etc., she could likely manage if she has some sailing knowledge. And, most of the charter companies will even offer (for a fee, of course) a skipper for the first day, if you want someone to help "show her the ropes," so to speak, get her comfortable with handling the boat.
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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: FLJim]
#96816
05/08/2016 11:33 AM
05/08/2016 11:33 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,955 St. John, USVI
RickG
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,955
St. John, USVI
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FLJim said: I would make sure the boat has an autopilot - it keeps the boat in the wind while you raise sails, holds a course while trimming sails, even does tacks while you're busy with sheets. Then hire a skipper for a day to show you how to do all that.
My wife was very nervous the first time we went as just a couple, but was quite happy by the end of the trip. We've done this many times since I did sailing school in 2015. Sweet Christine took Learn to Sail in 2008, but did not enjoy classes. The two of us went out for our very first bareboat charter in 2013 with a skipper the first two days with CYOA's Mei Nu Jenneau 44i and she was very comfortable having the skipper on board. It gave her a chance to try mooring with an extra set of hands on the boat. After we dropped the skipper off she was a bit more anxious, but we were able to handle the boat safely. After three years, her favorite days are long sails with just the two of us. She is a prize hooker and anchor tender. On a subsequent trip, we chartered a 36-foot monohull that was waiting on a part for the auto-pilot. The choice was to wait for the part to come in and the repair or head out. Sweet Christine wanted to get on the water. She got a lot of helm time that trip, including Anegada. But, I did miss Otto! She's a better sailor every trip. Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: Winterstale]
#96828
05/09/2016 09:54 AM
05/09/2016 09:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392 Maryland
Kirk
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392
Maryland
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It's been way too long since we're done a two person charter. The last four trips we've taken other people. Hope to do one this winter. Whenever we've done it people always ask if we're on our honeymoon. Never had any problems, but we're pretty much always just the two of us on our boat here at home.
As for hand signals-we pretty much just stick to one...it's pretty universal! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Kirk in Maryland
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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: denverd0n]
#96832
05/09/2016 11:19 AM
05/09/2016 11:19 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 144 We come from the land of ice a...
Subaqua
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 144
We come from the land of ice a...
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denverd0n said: My wife and I have done many charters together. We consider it the best way to spend a vacation.
As for mooring, it's pretty easy. You do the work that might require some strength, and she does the work that requires a delicate touch. Which means, she should be at the helm and you should be at the bow. Why so many couples do it the other way around is completely beyond me. My thoughts exactly.
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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: SeanS]
#96834
05/09/2016 04:59 PM
05/09/2016 04:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 14
Nalu
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 14
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Hey Sean, some good comments and thoughts posted. We own a Mahe 36 and have her in charter at HYC. The Mahe is a perfect example of solo, couple or 2 couple sailing vessel. We spend time with friends and also the two of us. The fist mate did a basic crew sailing course and gave her all the confidence required and terminology to feel comfortable with the two of us. I have instructed in multiple different sports and know it is a BAD idea to try and teach a partner or spouse! Don't try and teach her and you'll be all good. ( take a carabiner or snap shackle, you can do it all your self with a ball) K.I.S.S keep it simple stupid. Aloha.
Live the Life to Live, Aloha Ola (Love Life)
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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: SeanS]
#96838
05/10/2016 02:57 PM
05/10/2016 02:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901 Maine
Breeze
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901
Maine
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So, worst comes to worst and on the second day you are in North Sound and you want to strangle each other.
Take a ball at Leverick, dinghy in and beg to be taken to a slip for the rest of the week. Stay on the boat, rent a car, visit all of VG and ride the free water shuttle all around North Sound. When your time is up, key the Iron Jenny and motor back to base ( yes you can do this in one shot if you start early. We've motor- sailed from Leverick to CYOA on St Thomas and made a noon check-in, and that included a swim at Christmas Cove. ) Granted, that was a very early morning departure from NS, but everyone got their coffee with refills and their toast/cereal and no one complained.
There are always ways to work around an issue, and virtually no reason to beat yourself up. See it for an opportunity, not a potential disaster.
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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: Breeze]
#96839
05/10/2016 06:20 PM
05/10/2016 06:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,114 West Palm Beach FL
bviboater
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,114
West Palm Beach FL
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A couple of things to maybe make it easier to just two people with one not the best sailor. First get at least a 35' mono,IMHO anything smaller starts to get a little crowded. Next take the stress out of raising the sail, raise the main by yourself while still on the mooring and leave at least one reef in the sail. Its much easier to shake out a reef than to try to put one in. As for picking up a mooring,if it really becomes an issue, again do it yourself by reversing into it and picking up the pendent at the stern and with a dock line thru it walk it forward (make sure the dinghy is tied to the side of the boat out of the way). Just some thoughts. Good luck and most of all have fun.
John
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Re: Charter w/ just 2 people - good idea or not?
[Re: sail2wind]
#96841
05/10/2016 09:20 PM
05/10/2016 09:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
StormJib
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
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Moorings are approached with the bow into the wind and current. The retrieving and securing of the mooring pendant is a one person and only one person job, the others are just in the way under the guise of "helping". Here is one demonstration on how the task is executed. Boat control is the key skill set and deliverable for success. The helm must have have the boat in control for the other tasks be successful. Slow, deliberate, into the wind stopping within easy reach of the pendant. If there is any doubt the helm should start over and repeat the approach. https://youtu.be/m_B2SO4Af-o
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