Frequently-Asked Questions:

What do I need to bring for the Instructional Passage?

(And other considerations)

Gear to bring:
With the exception of the passport, which is absolutely required (contact us if you don't have one,) and Visas if you're a non-US citizen, most of the gear below can be provided or done without. However, it is a nice comfort to have your own things and know that they fit you well.

All gear should fit in one big duffle or suitcase (or a couple of small ones) which is stowed in one's bunk while awake and on the cabin sole when sleeping. Most crewmembers travel with one duffle and one or two carry ons. Hard suitcases are awkward on a boat.

Valid passport
Appropriate Visa for non-US citizens
Tom Cunliffe's "Ocean Sailing," available at bluewaterweb.com
Any other sailing texts that appeal to you
Foul weather gear. Coat and bibs (not too heavy) deck boots
Deck shoes or sneakers
Cool and wet weather clothing
Cold weather clothes for passages north of Hatteras or Bermuda
Cool night watch cap
Warm and hot weather clothing
Sun gear
Bathing suit
Toiletries
Prescription medicine
Seasick medicine
Rigging knife (folding knife with a marlinespike for untying knots)
Harness and tether
Flashlight
Books, music, DVD's
iPod with iTrip attachment or equivalent
Camera
USB adapter to download photos
Journal, pen and pencil
Light sleeping bag

Night deck work will be done while harnessed and tethered to the boat. It would be wise to invest in this gear. Let us know if you choose not to.

You do not need to purchase a sextant. There will be one on board. If you have one, please bring it along. If you'd like to buy one, the Davis Mark 15 is a perfectly functional plastic sextant that costs under $200. (Don't buy the Mark III.) Celestaire's Astra IIIB is an excellent aluminum sextant for around $500.

Travel:
Crewmembers should plan to arrive at the boat early in the day of the date listed on the schedule page. If you're coming from a long distance you may want to come the day before and arrange either a place to stay or stay on the boat. Note that if you're joining the boat in Bermuda, it's possible that the boat may not be there if you arrive early. Specific directions on how to get to the boat are sent out once all crewmembers are signed up.

Be prepared to jump in and get to work if there are any boat issues that need attention. Sometimes a dinghy needs stowing, jack lines run or a sail must be changed.

Tickets home are difficult to plan. Sat phones can be used to change flight reservations, but keep in mind that sat phones, like any electronic gear in the salt environment, can fail. We usually recommend flying stand by. When reservation adjustment fees are considered, stand by is usually affordable. Also, please consider travel insurance, which would come in handy in the unlikely event that the trip had to be cancelled.

Provisioning:
Provisioning is usually done shortly after crewmembers arrive. If your flight will arrive late, you should make a list of preferred foods. It is important that each person makes sure that personal food preferences be addressed. Life at sea takes some adjustment, and having food that you like makes the adjustment easier. Also, one of the crew positions that you'll rotate through each day is Cook so you'll be cook possibly twice during a passage. Please take the time to make a list of food items that you'll like to have on hand for your turn as cook. If you can't cook very well, just keep it simple.

If the captain permits, alcohol is allowed on board as long as there is no drunkenness and no drinking on watch. A beer or glass of wine with a dinner beneath an orange sky, above thousands of meters of water and hundreds of miles from land, is quite nice.

Of course, illegal drugs are absolutely out of the question. The Coast Guard occasionally boards and searches boats for drugs--they are allowed to do so without cause. The penalties are severe--confiscation of the boat, imprisonment, and the captain's license is put in jeopardy. Please, no drugs.

Cuban cigars are not legal in US waters, so please do not bring them aboard.

Crew members sometimes bring along special food items. Feel free to do so, of course. Also, it is likely that we'll catch a fish or two--dorado and tuna are most common. Bring along your favorite fish recipe if you have one.

Captain's dinner:
Depending on the weather and other considerations, the crew may enjoy a captain's dinner before or after the passage.

Departure:
Late night and early morning departures are both possible. It can be quite a challenge to leave the same night as you arrive, but sometimes that's the best way to take advantage of the weather window. Be mentally prepared to be physically exhausted for the first couple of days. It usually takes at least that long to acclimate to life at sea.

Communication:
Most cell phones work well in the islands, but check with your carrier to make sure. Sometimes that service needs to be added by the company.

Once underway, the only connection we'll have with the mainland is through the boat's sat phone which costs $2 per minute if you need to use it. Occasionally crewmembers bring along a sat phone. They may be available for rent through Boat US.

Before you commit to calling family members each day, keep in mind that equipment can fail for a variety of reasons. A boat at sea is a harsh environment for electronics. Anyone expecting a call may get unduly worried if the phone stops working.