The Float Plan: Safety and Comfort

We have a dream of sharing the excitement of sailing with our family and friends. In my last post, Sailing Dreams: A Proof of Concept, I talk about our recent outing with our kids on Lake Michigan. The idea of sharing these experiences with our loved ones is what really keeps us going, especially when our progress feels slow or clunky. To make this dream come true, we have given it a lot of thought and put together a set of plans (checklists) to make our sailing adventures safe and truly special. Below, you will see our philosophy – here is how we ready ourselves for a day of optimal sailing with special guests!

Weather Considerations

One of the most important factors in planning a sail is the weather. It’s essential to check the weather forecast in advance and continue monitoring it up until departure. Our division of labor has Kent taking into consideration the wind speed and direction, temperature, precipitation, and storm warnings. Remember, conditions at sea can be quite different from those on land. A sunny day on shore does not necessarily mean ideal conditions out on the water. High winds or rough seas can make a sail uncomfortable or even dangerous. (And that is not even to mention confidence in the skipper….)

To ensure our guests are comfortable, we inform them of the forecast and suggest suitable attire. If the weather decides to change her tune, or if we’re not feeling confident, we’re prepared to bow out gracefully. 

Safety is our highest priority, and we won’t risk it for a day on the water.

Checklists: The Backbone of Preparation

Food and Hydration

Of course, no day sail would be complete without food and drink. Plenty of water is first on the list, along with other beverages (rum). We prefer finger foods that are easy to eat and clean up, think corn chips or crackers, hummus, cheese, cold cuts, nuts, fruits, and veggies (keepin’ it gluten-free). I like to include fruits and veggies with high water content, like peppers, sugar snap peas, grapes, berries, and oranges, to help everyone stay hydrated. It’s like a floating picnic!

Setting No Expectations

A topic that has come up more than once is the expectation of participation. My husband and I are the skippers and we don’t expect our guests to help with the work of sailing. We want them to relax, soak up the experience, and enjoy themselves! That’s the whole point!

That said, there is an exception. Our guests have a single responsibility. See below.

Safety Briefing

In the event of a crew overboard, we have instructed our guests that their singular job is to spot, point, and yell , “CREW OVERBOARD!” And most importantly, do not take their eyes off the person. They are the spotter and we will do the rest.

Safety is our guiding star. We conduct a thorough safety briefing, covering everything from life jackets to fire extinguishers, from VHF radios to running rigging. We also encourage our guests to voice any concerns or fears as soon as they arise. That is how we want to roll.

Seasickness

We take seasickness seriously and will do our best to prevent it. We encourage our guests to get a good night’s sleep, stay hydrated, and let us know right away if they start to feel queasy. One trick we’ve found helpful is to put a queasy person at the helm. It helps them get their bearings and synchronizes their brain with their body.

The Float Plan

Finally, we share our float plan with our guests. We want them to know where we’re headed and what to expect. Because, sailing is all about the journey. 🙂

As we welcome our guests aboard for a day of sailing, our biggest concern is always their safety and comfort. From lengthy checklists to thoughtful food choices, from clear communication to careful weather considerations, every decision we make is aimed at ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

If you have any tips, tricks, or stories to share, we’d love to hear from you. Happy sailing!