Jay Lloyd's Getaway: Making The Most Of That Invitation Aboard
As summertime revs up, many area getaway seekers will score coveted invitations to spend a weekend cruising or fishing on the boats of friends, some for the first time.
Here, Jay Lloyd offers his annual tips on being a better boat guest.
by Jay Lloyd, KYW Newsradio 1060
It's a lot different than being a house guest. Your accommodations move, space is tight, and parts of the operation are tricky.
So, this year, I turned to a yacht club commodore, Beth Fulton, and to the owner of a classic work-boat-turned-pleasure-craft, Andrew Newman, for their suggestions.
Fulton's advice to guests is a reminder about baggage.
"Bring as little as possible onto the boat because it is a very confined space," she advises, although she notes that sometimes a guest brings too little. "Sometimes the girls don't have enough bathing suit on and other boats are looking at us."
Even so, swimsuits, shorts, tee-shirts, and non-marking, non-skid boat shoes are about all you'll need.
As for skills, Andrew Newman says it's a good idea to learn some basics ahead of time.
"I like to have guests on board who know how to handle lines, tie a bowline," he says.
Reading up before you go helps. The single best book is Chapman's Seamanship and Small Boat Handling.
One more tip: at current fuel prices and with many power boats burning 20 gallons an hour, don't offer to pay for the gas unless you have really deep pockets -- you might be shocked at the bill.
But gifts of food and drink are always appreciated.
