| Whether you're an experienced sailor or a greenhorn | | | | to. But even short weekend trips and daysails require |
| going out for an extended cruise or daysail, there are | | | | at least some degree of crew briefings. The keys are |
| things you should do to prepare the boat and the crew | | | | to make sure they are aware of safety procedures |
| to ensure safety and minimize the chance of | | | | and items on the boat. Everyone should know where |
| equipment failure. Complacency has no place in sailing | | | | life vests are and they should understand that in |
| and many bad sailing experiences could be avoided | | | | certain conditions everyone is required to wear one |
| with just a little upfront work. | | | | like keeping watch and helm duty alone at night. |
| Weather | | | | Everyone should know what to do in a man |
| Being prepared for weather is not only important for | | | | overboard situation so ask each crew if he/she |
| blue water, ocean voyages but is just as important to | | | | understands what their role would be. |
| the weekend lake sailor. Take a few minutes to check | | | | Leaving And Coming Into The Dock |
| the forecast and note any possible changes that is | | | | This seems terribly obvious but you would be surprised |
| predicted while you're out on the water. Even clear | | | | how many sailboats crash the dock every year or are |
| weather can have wind changes that blow through | | | | damaged because assumptions were made on who |
| with force enough to require reefing sails. Being | | | | would do what or mundane things like crew not |
| prepared to reef and having the right sails available for | | | | knowing where the dock lines are stowed. Don't |
| the potential wind change could be key to safety and | | | | assume your guest/crew knows how to help and |
| minimizing equipment damage. The obvious concerns | | | | what to do when leaving or approaching a dock. The |
| such as proper protection from the sun and having | | | | last way you want to start your day is someone falling |
| adequate foul weather gear for approaching rain | | | | off the boat and hitting their head on the dock |
| storms is just as important to plan for. Always have | | | | because they "were trying to help" get the boat clear |
| contingency plans like safe coves or marinas/harbors | | | | of the slip. |
| along your route in case the weather gets really nasty. | | | | These are but a few things to get you thinking that |
| Crew Briefing | | | | safety and preparedness should never be taken lightly |
| For longer voyages and crossings, having your crew | | | | in sailing. Practice good seamanship before you leave |
| on the same page and prepared for the journey is an | | | | the dock and you'll have a pleasurable experience by |
| obvious step that all distance skippers know to adhere | | | | being prepared for anything. |