Rules on board
Posted by Fearless_frosk@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 139 comments
My boyfriend and I own our boat 50/50.
I am curious to know which rules you have on board, especially if you sail for longer periods at a time.
keltickiwi@reddit
Everyone gets to have a sit-down pee. Much safer and stops me having to clean up splashes.
tarbasd@reddit
Only if you are far enough from shore to dump. If you plan to stay within 3 miles for days, then every one pees off the deck (yes, girls, too). Leeward side.
keltickiwi@reddit
Is it a legal loophole to avoid discharging sewage or a kink? Or do you get the leeward rail under water for some sweet bidet action?
jonnohb@reddit
I believe it is a legal loophole
Inevitable_Brush5800@reddit
A legal loophole to take a piss in the ocean? Many miles from shore? I don’t know how many people it would take to pee simultaneously in the ocean, in one point, within 3 miles of shore, for it to do anything but I’m guessing it’s more people than there are boats in the US.
I feel like a boat with one or two people aboard doesn’t need regulation on this topic. Cruise ships and other large keeled vessels with hundreds of people? Yes, could be an issue.
That said, worrying about piss in the ocean when agricultural run-off causes algae blooms which kill thousands of fish and sicken humans is peak bureaucracy.
Pumbaasliferaft@reddit
I’ll be the boring fact bearing one, in popular anchorages it’s the accumulation of toilet paper on the sea bed, it falls like snow and blankets the ground stifling the sea grass, coral, molluscs. And we have a lot of oyster farms around us and the yachts get blamed for polluting the water, the pollution actually comes from the hundreds of unregulated septic tanks onshore
Inevitable_Brush5800@reddit
So are you in San Francisco? Or one of the many surrounding bays within the SF Bay? I haven’t been out to SF to know the exact geography but I watched a documentary on this exact topic.
I understand the issue of seagrass and the use of TP. I firmly believe there is a vast difference between a small cruising vessel with maybe a family or two adults taking a piss 15 miles offshore and larger yachts dumping in anchorages, to go along with leaking septic systems.
Hell, most cities that have regulations against these things, including SF, dump sewage into the water. They claim it’s accidental, I’m not so sure.
jonnohb@reddit
The point is that you aren't allowed to dump waste. If you pee directly into the ocean then you aren't dumping.
tarbasd@reddit
In the US, it is illegal to dump sewage within 3 miles of shore. It is legal to pee into the water, but it's illegal to pee into a bucket and dump that into the water. The leeward side is to prevent blowback.
hottenniscoach@reddit
I’ve never heard it’s legal to pee into the water. I’m not saying it isn’t but I doubt it.
_wanderlust912@reddit
I mean, where do we think beach goers are peeing?
hottenniscoach@reddit
Where I live, if you whip it out in public you can get in serious trouble and maybe even labeled as a sex offender for life.
nitroxviking@reddit
In various parts of Spain, it's (definitely illegal.)[https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/comment/2022/06/23/102831/mallorca-beaches-don-pee-the-sea.html]
keltickiwi@reddit
That is exactly the sort of back asswards fuckery the founding fathers were trying to prevent... Probably
boatslut@reddit
Legal pee hole
Maximitaysii@reddit
Forbidden glory hole
Apprehensive-Ant2462@reddit
If you pee standing up, the entire ocean is a toilet
Wooden-Quit1870@reddit
NEVER FEND WITH YOUR BODY. If it's going to damage the boat, it's going to break bones
A good Captain only yells to be heard, never for their temper. A good crew will never push their temper.
When the captain says 'jump' do not ask 'how high? ' just jump.
Always sail to windward or against the tide going out- beat out, blow home.
For dock lines, loop end outboard when away, inboard at home.
Nobody leaves till the boat is cleaned and secured.
In these days of fun and sun, we never flush for number one.
Everyone takes a turn on the wheel/tiller.
Popeye-SailorMan@reddit
Totally agree on #4. Not often stated, but implicit. Like hiking, go up first, then down. If you go down first, you’re too tired to finish.
LastHorseOnTheSand@reddit
Can you explain the dock lines more? (New to docking)
Wooden-Quit1870@reddit
When approaching a unknown dock, there will often be persons on it who are willing to help. Unfortunately, willing does not mean competent. By passing them the eye end, which can be dropped over a cleat, or doubled to make a running loop to put around a piling, you minimize the chances of mishap due to their inexperience. It also leaves the control of the lines and the resulting position of the vessel in your control aboard. If the tide changes, you can easily make adjustments aboard . As a side note, never pass a line that is not secured inboard, lest it all go by the board, which makes it no good for securing the boat, and runs the risk of fouling the prop.
At your home dock, I like to put the loops inboard, and make any adjustments needed on the dock. I prefer to leave those lines on the dock when we sail most of the time, so when we come into the slip, the eyes are just put to the cleats, and she's properly secured . It also leaves the deck neater and there's no surplus line to have to shift when scrubbing the deck.
LameBMX@reddit
/me laughs in geat lakes where I spent years going to weather out. and going to weather back most of the time.
last year I got lucky with a lot of dw out and dw back.
quitofilms@reddit
Wow that "/me" brought back great memories if IRC, thanks
Dorfbulle80@reddit
OK among all the priorities (always have ruhm aboard else it's not a proper boat)... I have 2 main rules Nobody pisses overboard (safety especially at night) And Secondly there's only one skipper aboard and that's me! But as former sea rescue guy safety is no negotiable and there's no room for complacency regarding safety!
eotty@reddit
We did the same, (we had gin though), we only had one skipper, we could hand it over though, and same with safety, we had a zero tolerance, we had a situation where we turned around and debarked people because they didnt listen.
Dorfbulle80@reddit
Yeah get that but to me it's more like master when I say skipper no matter who's at the helm if I decide otherwise it will be done how I want it.... A shared command is a dead command... But I mostly sail solo anyway so mutiny can only come from me!
eotty@reddit
Yeah thats why we hand over the command, (stolen from aeronautics), trust me my wife was more than happy to hand over when she had the chance, but situations existed where i had to check on the engine, had to fetch water, had to cook, situations where i had no business being in command. And with 3-5 people onboard someone had to be in charge, we also had a no discussions rule, if someone didnt like a ruling they followed it when given and we could discuss and explain when docked. (Super good rule when you have a teenager who likes to question anything and everything). But if the boom is about to gybe and we say sit down, we dont have time to explain why.
Dorfbulle80@reddit
As we say in France.... Orders are made to be followed and not to be discussed!
Strict_Swimmer_1614@reddit
Don’t get cold. Don’t get wet. Hydrate. No pissing over the side. Sometimes the skipper really means “now”.
I also do safety systems induction.
Life vests if going forward.
Gas on/gas off for propane (off when not being used)
No drinking while under way (skipper does had discretion here, but rule is a good general one)
(When I sail alone I break almost all of these, cos I’m a dick)
millijuna@reddit
We’re somewhat more strict, but as sailors of the Salish Sea, often in the offseason, our rule is “PFDs always” when above decks and the boat is under way.
BulkMcHugeLarge@reddit
What is the deal with toilet paper and heads? I'm a marina sailor so the need for #2 rarely comes up. I have been told flushing TP is fine and also that you shouldn't.
I never flushed until my GF (who is a much better sailor and more experienced than me) said it was fine. Still don't love it and try to encourage people not to.
smartalek75@reddit
Some systems can handle a little TP but most, in my experience, cannot. It balls up, gets stuck, some gets stuck on the tank sensor.
lucypoocy22@reddit
Our system doesn't handle much toilet paper. I had a hull full of poop water to prove it.
smartalek75@reddit
Not a good time
millijuna@reddit
The person who enjoys dinner does the dishes. The person who cooks gets to relax.
FizzBuzz4096@reddit
Puke to leeward...
bbcwtfw@reddit
Also pee and smoke to leeward.
millijuna@reddit
The only exception is for those who have rounded Cape Horn. They have earned the right to pee to windward.
clamdever@reddit
You guys are no fun. Where's your spirit of adventure
QuellishQuellish@reddit
“I see” said the blind man as he pisses into the wind, “It all comes back to me now”.
bbcwtfw@reddit
You a Jerry Jeff Walker fan?
JohnHazardWandering@reddit
The ole single gun salute.
Late-Hotel-861@reddit
I've got a buddy nicknamed Strulli, because when we were little he got convinced that as a ritual you need to pee against the wind...
sailbrew@reddit
The one strange rule we have, especially for guests, is no filter when you are upset or don't agree while docking (or another stressful situation). My wife and I will swear at each other sometimes with no filter (still being respectful), let er rip, but then all is forgiven afterwards. Although there were times where we have a moment of silence before talking again. We used to bottle it up and then we would go on and on about it afterwards.
hulagirl4737@reddit
Similar to your last one, my husband and I realized we’d always argue after anchoring in bad weather/high wind. We realized it’s bc we would have to scream to hear each other and the act of screaming makes your adrenaline spike. So now we know to take 5 min after a difficult anchoring and everything is fine
LastHorseOnTheSand@reddit
I've heard wireless headsets can be amazing for this
sailbrew@reddit
Yes, a lot of people call them "Marriage Savers". They can be expensive. We bought some cheap headsets intended for motorcycle groups. They work great and wow they really reduce the stress during anchoring! Instead of yelling "Whattt!?" thirty times and becoming a spectacle for the entire anchorage to hear. Now we just calmly talk through the headsets.
sailbrew@reddit
Agree. Calm down after the excitement. Makes a huge difference.
tench745@reddit
Personally, I would add to #3; no one on deck on a night passage without being harnessed and clipped in. And yes, definitely tell someone before going on deck.
sailbrew@reddit
Can't disagree with this advice. Better to be safe.
Active_Engineering37@reddit
I think that last one is where "swearing like a sailor" comes from. I think it's the only acceptable time to shout or yell.
Expensive_Dig_6695@reddit
The rule of most conservative option always wins is very important. I bought a boat with a guy who hadn’t sailed much at all whereas I have a lot of time on the water. I wrongly assumed that my experience would win out over his inexperience. We were out with friends and family and were approaching an island close hauled and it looked like we might weather it but with leeway there was not a chance in hell it would at least be much too close for comfort or a grounding. I suggested a tack away, not a race, no rush to go anywhere but he, at the helm, turned it into a “thing”. Eventually tacked but….Off the water I said, “we need a rule”
unhappy_thirty236@reddit
rrickitywrecked@reddit
No bananas!
Kattorean@reddit
Some context: Long ago, when ships went down & everything was at the bottom, the bananas (cargo) were still floating. The sighting of floating bananas meant the ship went down.
No bananas aboard = no floating bananas = the ship never went down.
Another one: Bananas attract insects faster than other fruit. You'll lose your stocked fruit faster with bananas.
FarAwaySailor@reddit
Hint: the insects aren't 'attracted' by the bananas - the eggs are already there.
Kattorean@reddit
The floating bananas is my favorite reason for "no bananas aboard"...lol
AnarZak@reddit
the reason bananas are not allowed on boats is because they give off a gas called ethene (ethylene), which causes other fruits or vegetables in the vicinity to ripen much faster, and then rot, which is not desirable on a boat.
the upside of this is that if you have something that is not ripe yet, especially avocados, putting a couple of bananas in the same bowl will ripen them much faster.
FarAwaySailor@reddit
When underway: - Wear a lifejacket on nightwatch - don't go on deck if there's no-one in the cockpit - no drinking - everyone sits down to pee - everyone knows the location of: EPIRB, liferaft, lifejackets, flares, fire extinguishers, emergency knives, AED and med kit - everyone knows the plan for MOB - everyone knows how to start the engine
Justice4myhomies@reddit
Have never co owned a boat but I've sailed as a first mate on a small T/S for some years and here are some rules we have, some more applicable when sailing longer distances: 1. Safety first. If the officer on the watch tell you to put on a life jacket - you put on a life jacket, even if you are higher in rank. Always use a lifejacket when sailing and during the night. 2. Never fend off with your body. Use fenders and ropes. 3. Never jump when docking - if you need to jump to reach the dock, you are too far away. 4. Shoes on when sailing - you don't want to get distracted by hurting your toes when you urgently need to adjust something on deck. 5. If you start to feel seasick - put on your lifejacket and get topside. Have someone bring warm clothes for you. 6. Always boil everything with a lid on (saves so much energy). 7. Try to sleep when off watch and respect those trying to sleep. You never know when the others might be incapitated due to heavy seas and seasickness. I once had to stand a watch for twelve hours before we could find some rellief in a safe harbour. And that was after contigous sailing for three days. 8. Keep your hand at some distance from the pulleys etc - if the rope slips you don't want your fingers to get caught. 9. When offshore sailing - make marks in the sea chart with a pencil every hour. Great backup if you lose your GPS signal. 10. Always have a fresh thermos filled with coffee.
SVAuspicious@reddit
I don't have many rules. I depend on judgement by my crew.
No one leaves the cockpit without someone else on deck and aware.
No man in the world has aim as good as he thinks it is. Everyone sits.
Stow your gear.
Don't unplug any of Dave's stuff.
Don't be late for your watch.
I have some specific guidelines for light discipline when sailing at night. Coffee is a problem. IYKYK.
Another guideline is that waking up Dave and asking is always a good idea.
OP u/Fearless_frosk, I suspect there is some underlying discussion between your BF and you. Do you care to share? Dishes? Toilet habits? Sleeping on watch? Sail trim foibles? How long is "longer?" I'm sailing Annapolis to Essex CT nonstop soon and I consider that short. Five days starts to be long. Four weeks even with a brief stop is long. Your definition may be different. Some people consider six hours to be a long day.
empi91@reddit
At first, I read "whose rules" and I was like "uh, must be nice boat to stay away from" :D
- Whatever you're doing, have to be safe, efficient, and elegant. In this very order.
- No alcohol when sailing.
- Preferably no smoking, if really necessary only on leeward aft.
- No puking inside.
- Lifejackets always on when boat is moving.
- Always wear shoes.
- Keep the boat clean. Inside and out.
- Think before doing.
- No yelling at each other.
- Have fun, it's not a punishment to sail.
I've seen your questions under some other comment:
- "who we allow onboard" - I mean, if you get ot the point of having a boat together, I'd say you should have a very good sense of who is going to irritate each of you. Or not?
- "cooking" - when sailing double-handed? I'd say it's up to the moment, whoever feels better, have idea, etc. In bigger crew? Written watchlist before the start, with watches, cooking and cleaning duties
Fearless_frosk@reddit (OP)
Good points! Thank you! 😊
gearboxlabs@reddit
Fearless_frosk@reddit (OP)
What about who we allow on board, who does the cooking, etc?
sam_the_dog78@reddit
Why are you asking us, do you want to do the cooking or does he?
Fearless_frosk@reddit (OP)
Just curious as to what others do. He does most of the mechanical/technical maintenance, so I am thinking that maybe I should be in charge of cooking
Plastic_Table_8232@reddit
So this is where sailing as a team gets fun. It will test the fortitude of your relationship and force you to have excellent commutation .
I’m a firm believer that sailing will take a relationship in one of two directions. It will get stronger than you could ever imagine or you will never want to talk to each other again.
If you really want to test this theory double hand a multi day passage without an autopilot! You’ll either be giving high five’s when you make land fall or giving each other the finger.
I personally do the cooking, I like to eat. Rule on our boat is that who ever cooks skips KP that meal.
Most of the time cleanup is minimal because once I’m done with prep (if it wasn’t done shore side) I clean everything before getting out pots / pans / ect to start cooking.
Tikka2023@reddit
KP?
sola_mia@reddit
Kitchen patrol. (Clean up)
Tikka2023@reddit
Thanks
scriminal@reddit
that's a relationship question not a boat question :)
7lenny7@reddit
I'm usually cracking open my first beer while I'm backing out of the slip.
We do have pfds on board though...wish I could remember where we stowed them...
Disastrous-Angle-591@reddit
It’s all those drugs. Impacting your short term memory
Psynautical@reddit
Nah, I remember where they're stowed.
straitshots@reddit
Omg, I would never sail on your boat, you dont sound like much fun.
BattleReadyZim@reddit
Username checks out
Disastrous-Angle-591@reddit
Where do you stow that enormous fun sponge!
bbcwtfw@reddit
Rule on an old crew was "no rum until the racings done". Beer was OK if it was tame enough to stash for maneuvers, or you were quick about it.
smckenzie23@reddit
Safety third.
Disastrous-Angle-591@reddit
Whisky first. Then beer. Then safety.
_gooder@reddit
Why is the rum gone?
FalseRegister@reddit
Northern sea = Whisky Caribbean = Rum 😎
LameBMX@reddit
I dont know, ask u/whytherumgone
Apprehensive-Ant2462@reddit
I’ve found my sailing people
dirtyvm@reddit
Safety third if at all.
canadianbeaver@reddit
Keep it loose, but keep it tight.
Sh0ckValu3@reddit
Came here to make sure this was listed.
ArwiaAmata@reddit
Don't piss over the side while under way.
sigedigg@reddit
One rule: It is strictly forbidden to fall overboard.
honestfyi@reddit
I refer to this as “no unauthorized swimming.”
kdjfsk@reddit
"Everyone has fun. No one gets hurt. Don't break anything."
meddi_009@reddit
Yup, most conservative person wins- when we first went out my partner wanted to go hard, I got scared and either didn’t want to go out again or put the breaks on early cos I knew it was gonna be a fight. Once he let me set the risk I was much more willing to go harder and further. Also, it wasn’t always me who was more conservative- I was always fine at night while he was less happy so we didn’t do much
Disastrous-Angle-591@reddit
Except hearts in every port
Ilikeng@reddit
Gear or clothes are worn, drying, or packed / stoved. Cant have several peoples stuff flosting around the cabin
foilrider@reddit
Do you guys really have like some sort of written set of rules you use with your partners?
kdjfsk@reddit
Sure, here is ours...
Swab the deck = Get a peck
Hoist the sail = Earn some tail
Coil the rope = Get a grope
Scrub the floor = Score some more
Polish the bell = Time will tell
Chart the course = Get some force
Mop the loo = Kiss or two
Drop the anchor = Naughty Spanker
CptJonzzon@reddit
Might be awkward when you have a guest crew onboard Scubs harder
Neptune7924@reddit
FAFO. Read your own X posts you absolute freak.
StatisticalMan@reddit
Listen to the skipper. Keep the ocean on the outside of the hull, mast up, and keel down and we will have a good day.
Decent-Opportunity46@reddit
Harness and clipped on for c and d
kdjfsk@reddit
Sounds kinky.
Decent-Opportunity46@reddit
Giggity
Entire-Ambassador-94@reddit
My partner and I both have veto power to turn back to the marina if we don't like the conditions. We both enjoy sailing in "sporting" conditions, but respecting each other's comfort levels is critical to making sure everyone has a good time and no one gets hurt.
BulkMcHugeLarge@reddit
Agree that no matter what happens or is said docking/mooring that everything is forgiven and forgotten afterwards. I'm very serious on this point.
Some sailors are experts. Most of us are not. You two are a team. If one of you breaks something or did something stupid you are both responsible.
Your boat will need repairs. Budget accordingly then double it.
laumbr@reddit
"Don't try be smart and clean up the lines."
RavnBur@reddit
Came here to say the second part.
NO loose lines on the deck, EVER!
Family have lost limbs to this, and we've lost family.
laumbr@reddit
True. But, has a situation last summer. Sailing with a novice.
I had just taken up the main and sailed a few miles. Hitting those sweet 8 knots by perfect trimming and pushing into it.
I ease off and the other guy takes over to try. He does a quick 90° turn and the boat tips sideways. Like a lot. I have not had that happen before so I decide to drop the sail to stabilize the boat up right as I wasn't planning on walking the mast 🤣
The sail drops about 50 cm and no more.
He had nicely tucked all the lines back into its pouch on the cabin wall 🤣 Panic time until unwrapped and fixed.
I usually, when we push it and trim a lot like that, keep the lines down and into the boat.
permalink_child@reddit
Coiling lines was not the issue. Coiling incorrectly was the issue.
laumbr@reddit
Love to hear how you organize lines. 🙂
permalink_child@reddit
If another sailboat is traveling in same direction, it is now a regatta, race and sail trim, helming, and course steering are now paramount.
BattleReadyZim@reddit
Cockpit seating cushions do not go on the dockside of the boat when in the slip. Got a sprained ankle and cracked rib coming up with that one.
Tikka2023@reddit
Stops them getting covered in dirty foot marks too
Wahnsinn_mit_Methode@reddit
no shouting when docking.
Plastic_Table_8232@reddit
“No shore captains” is docking rule on my boat.
You’d be amazed at how many well intentioned individuals can negatively impact you unintentionally.
Every boat has its own unique aspects when docking, I know how the boats going to react in 99% of the scenarios we get in, the person on the dock doesn’t.
We have a docking strategy worked out before entering the marina, don’t deviate unless the person behind the helm says to do so.
Tikka2023@reddit
This 100x over.
Amount of times people want to grab your lines and ‘help’.
We have a ‘no one gets off the boat’ approach to docking that simply involves my first mate lassoing a dock cleat. We then drive on that and once the boat settles the rest of the lines go on.
Also marriage savers are a must once the boat gets in the 40ft+ range
piper63-c137@reddit
no hands or feet used for fending off
madworld@reddit
No peeing off the side while on a passage. But if you do and fall off, make sure you zip your pants up so your mates won't make fun of you at your funeral.
wandering_sailor@reddit
Rule 1: all boat people are required to remain on the boat Rule 2: all boat parts are required to remain on the boat Rule 3: The boat is only allowed to touch water and the dock. (Can’t touch other boats, racing marks, buoys, the bottom. I break this rule often) Rule 4: The Captain may not always be right, but he is never wrong.
bigmphan@reddit
Sleep naked
Kattorean@reddit
Stay in the boat.
Keep the water out of the boat.
Have fun doing those 2 things.
stewiegonebad@reddit
Everyone who steps on the boat gets the safety talk and should know where life jackets and fire extinguishers are. When moving on the boat while underway always use three points of contact. Drink less than you would on land no matter how much fun you're having. And sunscreen.
TweezerTheRetriever@reddit
Nobody yells
theaj42@reddit
tarbasd@reddit
Also, don't kill anyone. One of my first sailing institutors, when I got somewhat decent on the helm, went to the bow pulpit to enjoy the view, and just told me: "Don't kill me."
Disastrous-Angle-591@reddit
Don’t die but have fun trying
uke_warrior@reddit
Tell me what you have done/ what you plan to do. I sail with very competent people who do the right thing, but unless I know it, things go wrong.
timeonmyhandz@reddit
One captain... Clarify what that means for new guests... One voice, one command....
I say this because I'm an experienced boater and was a guest on a large catamaran. I was really into it and really helpful in all places I thought I could lend a hand. But there were times when I overstepped or just thought what was needed... When it wasn't.
tobdomo@reddit
Right. We exercise PTPE: Plan, Task, Preparation, Execution. Capt makes the plan and assigns the tasks, crew prepares and reports, execute when Capt says to.
Also, when Capt says: "do it", you do it. Questions later.
Eddie_shoes@reddit
Decide who is captain. No faster way to get into a fight than not deciding who has the ultimate say.
outdoors_guy@reddit
Ha- my wife and I had to define this as ‘whoever is at the helm is captain’ especially as she gained more skill. I have to bite my tongue a lot this way, it it’s allowed us to enjoy the boat more!
For other rules (like do we upgrade ‘x’) we talk it through the same as we would at home. Past that- as long as I let her have some personal space from time to time- things go very well!
Commercial_Copy2542@reddit
Stay on the boat
is0ph@reddit
Don’t fall overboard
DadBodFacade@reddit
"Rules" can be a loaded word when it comes to partners in life or on a boat.
Practices or agreements? Perhaps a bit better to keep from having a heirachal feeling.
Be kind & give grace. We're all learning and "stuff" happens to all of us veterans and newbies. You are not your failures or mistakes on the water, you are how you react to them and how you learn from them.
Be safe. Put your PFD in earlier than you think you should, and take it off only after you feel super comfortable.
Same goes for shortening sail area... Do it early.
You both need to agree when it's safe to go out, and when it's time to go in. Whoever wants to stay in or get back wins... always (unless there is a great case for working through a small scare in order to avoid a much larger one on the way). Even when it's inconvenient or frustrating, it's better to avoid scary conditions with people who don't feel ready.
Only approach a dock at the speed you are willing to hit it, unless more speed is absolutely necessary for steerage. And, don't care what others think of your docking... If the boat is docked and you aren't writing checks to a boat or health insurance company, you did a great job. Everyone else can keep their thoughts to themselves.
So many others... But in general, just be safe, kind, non-judgemental of yourself and partner. You are going to make mistakes, you are going to break things, it is going to cost a lot more than what you imagine and take a lot more time to learn, maintain and grow than you imagine.
If you can approach this as a mutual adventure supporting each other and celebrating the lessons with humility and grace, then you will absolutely enjoy it. If you're trying to impress, show off or are on a tight budget of time/money/patience, then I would probably recommend avoiding boat ownership.
scriminal@reddit
The only written rules I've seen posted on boats are about how to use the head :) Other than that, normal boat safety rules like others are saying. Agree with vest + tether at night, especially if forward and or alone. Also remember the idea is the tether is short enough to keep you on the deck, not just out of the water. If you don't believe me, (at the dock/anchor of course) attach your tether long and heave yourself over the side, see how getting back up goes for you.
supertucan@reddit
This heavily depends on the boat, the crew, the conditions etc.
But during offshore races everybody has to wear a lifejacket from dusk till dawn when not down below is one basic rule.
Efficient_Waltz_8023@reddit
You should really tether as well
ndorinha@reddit
no safety
smoking first
jzwinck@reddit
These are the only rules you need: https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/racingrules/