> Do any of you all have a "formal" or "informal" guest policy. >
Yes, we do - and I also have a "FAQ for guests on Flying Pig" which lets them know they're not in Kansas any more. Before we leave, I sit everyone in the cockpit, and stand in the companionway, and do "the talk" - which includes holding up a joker valve as part of my explanation of why nothing you haven't eaten yet, other than modest amounts of paper, flushed as you use it, goes in the heads. As to how long, you set the rules. We've found that folks who aren't REALLY into sailing and the marine lifestyle, but really want to be there, do well with about 10 days tops. OTOH, Lydia's mother was with us for 6 months the last time, and it was OK, though a bit long. This time, assuming she gets in shape (she's 85; she was 83 the first time) at my sister's, where she is now, it will be a couple of months. If you have pre or early teens aboard - alone, likely only if you're grandparenting or perhaps aunt/uncle-ing - be prepared for a severe culture shock for them. They need to be prepped (unless you're of the dockside and restaurant crowd; we're definitely not) as to how diet and schedule (and internet and telephone) will be a radical change from what they're used to; if they can't agree (and keep to it) in advance, or adapt, I'd suggest an agreement with the parents that they can be put off at the first opportunity (assuming you're cruising, of course). We've not had any guest pets; that would be challenging in any event. As to safety, our rule is that one is harnessed and jacklined whenever out of the cockpit for any under 16, and, in any "weather," jacketed as well. The "one hand for the boat" and "three point contact" rule is also demonstrated... I can send the FAQ if it's of interest; it covers water and electricity, heat, bugs, bathroom realities, diet and a host of other things... L8R Skip Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC See our galleries at www.justpickone.org/skip/gallery ! Follow us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheFlyingPigLog and/or http://groups.google.com/group/flyingpiglog "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://liveaboardonline.com/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardonline.com/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
