Life Aboard Bedouin

Most people think life aboard a sailboat is a life of relaxation; reading books, napping in a hammock, and swimming to your hearts content. And that  the only job on board is working in your tan.

 

And while there is a bit of that, life aboard is full of things to do to keep the boat in good working order and everyone happy and fed.

 

On board, there’s a lot of ways we tweak the way we live to conserve water and energy, and when we’re underway, there’s lots of serious jobs for deckhands to keep the captain well supported and up-to-date on what’s happening on deck. 

 

Here’s some things about life aboard that you should know…

Communication is everything.

  • Ask questions when you need to know something.
  • When on deck, always face the person you are speaking to. The wind often makes it difficult to hear so facing the person directly helps carry your voice to their ears better.
  • Learn the hand signals we use when anchoring. See our Boat Skills Page to learn our anchoring hand signals.
  • Let someone know if you’re feeling sea sick. The earlier we know, the faster you’ll be feeling better.

Our swimming pool is always open.

We’ve got a killer pool just off our back deck. And when we’re at anchor, we’ve also got plenty of toys to keep you entertained; two paddle boards, some miscellaneous and likely ill-fitting snorkeling gear, a big-ol awkward blow-up flamingo thanks to our bosun Chloe, and a nice shady spot to swim under our hull. We’ve also got some spectacular night swims which become a refreshing way to cool down when it’s still HOT outside even after the sun has gone to bed. We have some killer blue water lights that turn night swims into a party.

Everyone gets a job on board Bedouin.

We love to share the adventure of sailing, especially kids who are old enough to be part of our crew—so we often give crew members official jobs while they’re onboard. A cohesive crew builds camaraderie and great memories, so we put everyone to work. 

  • Anchoring crew.
  • Fender crew.
  • Master of the Dingy.
  • Sails manager.
  • Bedouin D.J.
  • Galley Gourmet
  • Damsel or Dame of the Dirty Dishes
  • And Long passages often mean assigning people to watch shifts.

Connectivity.

  • Internet is not very reliable which is sometimes the greatest thing about sailing. Our phone’s data plan becomes our main source for connectivity. 
  • Phone and data depends on your personal wireless carrier plan from home. Find out how it works, your coverage, and its cost to use before you leave home. There are some great international plans offered by various companies back in the states.  You’ll want to make sure you understand your coverage while you’re overseas.
  • If your phone is unlocked, a great option is to buy a sim card at the local phone stores in the country you’re visiting. They usually offer great deals on data and calls during the summer and we can help you get one after you arrive.

SEASICKNESS.

This is the not so glamorous side of sailing, but it happens.  Here’s the rundown so you’ll be a puke master.

  • Bring medications
    • HERE’S SOME OPTIONS TO CONSIDER:
    • Meclizine (Bonine) taken once a day
    • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) taken every 4 hours
    • Seasick Patches
    • Scopolamine Patches—for more severe motion sickness, It’s an adhesive patch you put behind your ear a few hours before you think you’ll need it. (Prescription only)
    • Chewable tablets specifically for children.
    • Here’s a link to the rundown on the different kinds of medicine available.
  • Avoid these activities while underway
    • Avoid reading
    • Going below deck (unless sleeping helps)
    • Greasy foods
  • Stay hydrated while you’re on board
  • Know the early signs of seasickness
    • Headache
    • Feeling sleepy
    • Pale skin
    • Irritability
    • Dizziness
  • Know how to take action to ease a sudden bout as quickly as possible
    • Fresh air helps so stay on deck in a safe spot. DO NOT hang over the rails
    • Nibble on crackers, this often eases a queasy stomach
    • Sips of fizzy drinks
    • Ginger
    • Sit at the helm with the captain and offer to help steer the boat—no joke, this helps, especially if you know you’re predisposed to nausea while underway. There’s something about concentrating on steering and watching the horizon that seems to be the magic sweet spot.
  • What to do if you’re really seasick
    • Sit or lay in a safe spot where you can get fresh air.
    • If puking feels eminent, DO NOT hang over the rails. Have a crew member get something for you to use while sitting in a safe area of the boat.
    • Avoid causing others to feel sick by retching near them.