From the Boathouse: Correspondence from the captain
Ahoy!
Now that Labor Day has passed, so-called off-season boating begins in Southern California. I have mentioned from time to time that boating is great almost year-round in our area, and the waterways are much less congested when it’s not summer.
So as we transition into the off-season, I have a few interesting emails in my inbox from loyal readers. As a courtesy, I have protected the senders’ names.
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Ahoy Capt. Mike,
We would like your advice when we invite friends aboard our boat. Many of our friends are not boaters and they do not know boating etiquette. For example, there are red wine stains on the carpet, the heads are constantly clogged, and our friends do not help to clean the boat when we are back in the slip. What should we do with non-boaters aboard our boat? Signed, Cruising with Friends.
Ahoy Cruising. Let’s start with the red wine question. Real boaters do not drink red wine when aboard for just that reason.
As far as clogging the heads, you always need to explain to your friends how to properly flush before they use the facilities. Now as for cleaning, I hope you do not make your friends clean your house after a dinner party. Should you need a hand afterward, let them know ahead of time what is involved in the post-cruise activities.
When I invite guests onto my 8-foot Sabot, I have my deck crew, bartenders, cooks and cleaning staff take care of all the post-details.
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Cap’n Mike,
I would like a few tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from my generator’s exhaust while we are at anchor. I am wondering if my wife’s headaches are from the buildup of CO in the main salon. Signed, Relaxing at Anchor
Well, Relaxing at Anchor, good question. Carbon monoxide can be deadly, and poisonings continue to be a major problem aboard vessels.
Carbon monoxide detectors are standard on most new boats, and older vessels should have detectors installed immediately as part of the safety equipment. I have been aboard yachts where the owner has disconnected a detector because of false positive alarms.
While cruising aboard any vessel, you need to watch out for the Venturi effect, which can pull carbon monoxide into the cockpit, salon area or an aft cabin through an open door. This effect is similar to what happens in a station wagon with the back window rolled down.
When you are at anchor, your boat’s exhaust fumes can enter your boat easily from a shift in the wind or no wind. Also, fumes from neighboring boats can waft in though any open portholes, hatches or doors.
Trust your nose. If you smell fumes inside your vessel, get anyone showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning into the fresh air. Remember, carbon monoxide poisoning has many of the same symptoms as seasickness, so a detector is great tool in preventing and determining if it is CO poisoning.
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Capt Mike,
I thought sailboats always have the right of way, so why didn’t the tanker divert its course for us to maintain our course? Signed, Luffing Sail
Ahoy Luffing Sail. You might want to take a boating safety class and learn the rules of the road. Professional captains, like me, use the tonnage rule when underway. Just try to imagine who would survive if a subcompact car and a big rig collided on the freeway. Basically, that applies to the meeting of a large ship and small craft.
However, a major subcomponent of the tonnage rule is, “Just because you might perceive that you have the right of way, you don’t want to be ‘dead’ right.”
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As always, just keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm.
Tune in to the No. 1 boating radio talk show in the nation, “Boathouse Radio Show,” broadcasting live coast-to-coast on a syndicated network. See times at https://www.boathousetv.com, https://www.facebook.com/boathouseradio and https://www.twitter.com/boathouseradio.
Safe voyages!
MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to https://www.boathousetv.com.