Our first ZTC Guest Post

If this sounds like you, join the club. I read ZTC’s blog for a few months before I finally reached out to say hello, digitally, to Mike and Rebecca. Being the great people they are, we rapidly built a relationship online. One day, a crazy idea entered my head. What if I flew to Grenada and spent a week onboard ZTC? Would they be willing to add me to their crew and accept a stranger into their home? The answer came back in less than an hour. Absolutely.

Sounds dreamy doesn’t it? Reach out to a relative stranger, get an invite to live on a sailboat for a week and live the island lifestyle. Not to mention this solution is budget friendly. What you need to know are a few simple rules to ensure that if you are so lucky, you live up to your side of the bargain.

As promised Carl arrived with only one bag, half full of stuff for US!

Life onboard a boat, especially a cruiser’s boat isn’t one long vacation. At least not for your host. This is their life. The boat is their home. Their home is a very complex and large machine that they are accustomed to operating. Sailors, full time cruisers especially, are very relaxed people but they are also very structured. At least in so far as maintaining and operating their vessel, which takes constant and mindful attention. You must keep all this in mind when you arrive. Some hints that will make you stay go smoothly.

1. Fresh Water – If you are on a mooring or anchored the only fresh water you have is in the tanks. This water is used for everything from cooking to washing your hands. Producing fresh water is a slow, energy demanding process. Be mindful of this while aboard. Use water sparingly. Not sure what that means? Watch your fellow crew members and follow their lead. If the tanks are small, plan on bathing in ocean. Take a bar of soap and jump in. Sound less than refreshing? Think that isn’t for you? Then maybe you shouldn’t be onboard.
2. Power – Batteries provide the electric energy. Just like water, there is a limited supply. Running a laptop is likely fine but be mindful of your use of lights. Try to avoid recharging batteries for your other electronics. The best solution is to bring extra batteries that are already pre-charged. If you still run low, charge up in a bar or restaurant. Better idea.
3. Space – Boats, regardless of overall length, have limited living space. Remembering you are in someone’s home is key. You wouldn’t plop down in your friends favorite chair in their home to watch a movie would you? Don’t do it on a boat. You can ask where to put your things or where to sit but you also have eyes. Observe, pay attention and stay out of the way. Which brings us to how much stuff you bring aboard with you.
4. What to Pack – Don’t bring too much. One small carry on bag is all you should need. T-shirts, swim suits and flip flops. This isn’t a big city and people don’t expect to see you wear color coordinated fashion. Nobody changes cloths a couple times a day depending on the event. Get up, pull on yesterday’s mostly dry swim suit, a clean T-shirt (or dirty if need be) and you are good until tomorrow. What you should pack is anything and everything your hosts ask for and a few items more. One cannot always get what they need or want living on a boat in the paradise. Save room in your bag for them and bring them as much as possible.
5. The Head – That would be the bathroom, toilet, or crapper to you land lovers. This is a vital and often finicky piece of machinery on a boat. We all have to go eventually. If you can hold it until you are ashore, you should. Let’s face it, you will need to use it. Key advice here. Your hosts are used to dealing with their own crap. If you screw up the head they will end having to deal with yours. It’s likely that your welcome will rapidly run out thereafter. When you get aboard, learn EXACTLY how to operate the head. Be fastidious in your cleanliness and use only when you must.