Read prior to your arrival
Important Information for our INVITED Guests
Please understand this is not us trying to scare you out of coming as we would not have extended the invitation. We really want you to come join us, but we also want to make sure we all like each other when you leave.
So, we believe that brutal honesty is the best way forward. Read everything thoroughly and take some notes on any concerns or questions you might have. We would be happy to talk things over with you!
THE CAPTAIN RULES
Rob is the captain of our boat and the captain always gets the final say. Period. We are liable for our vessel and for the safety of every passenger. It’s a great responsibility and one we take seriously. Safety is always the first priority.
WE’RE OFF THE GRID
We have limited resources that we carefully manage. The sun provides our electricity, but the sun doesn’t shine all the time. You must be cautious about using anything that requires electricity and unplug when something is charged. We encourage you to leave high voltage electronics at home like blow dryers, flat irons, etc.
We turn sea water into drinking water and that is no small feat. We take quick (sometimes room temperature) "marine showers" (get wet, turn off water, soap up, rinse off). We use water, but do so thoughtfully. We do our best to conserve water because it is a limited resource.
Trash can build up with a lot of guests on board. We hold onto every piece of trash, load it up in the dinghy and then find somewhere to properly dispose of it once arrive on land. The goal is to try and create as little trash as possible. We use very few paper towels and avoid buying things with lots of packaging or discard the packaging prior to returning to the boat. Please help us minimize our carbon footprint.
FOOD AFLOAT
We enjoy eating out, but we cook 95% of our meals on board. This is your vacation but our real life and we really try to stick with a budget. If possible, we will try to provision (grocery shop) prior to your arrival, so please inform us if you have dietary needs and we will do our best to fulfill them. If you would rather accompany us to shop for food at your destination and pay towards that, even better. Keep in mind that our options for groceries are very limited and food often costs upwards of 3x what you would pay in the US. If you have specific foods that you must or want to consume on a daily basis (i.e. chocolate, sweets, alcohol etc.), please bring them with you.
MULE RUN
Some boat parts or other items are really difficult to obtain and/or are quadruple the price we would pay in the United States. Every visitor to the boat will be asked to carry items for us (consider this a small price to pay in exchange for a free waterfront hotel). In some cases, they might fit in your suitcase, but they may also require an additional bag to check. We thank you in advance for agreeing to help us in this way.
POTTY TALK
Toilets are called heads on a boat, and while very different from what you are used to, they are nothing to fear...as long as you ONLY flush down the loo what comes out of you. Toilet paper and sanitary napkins are thrown into a brown bag in your trash can. When you use the marine toilet, your bodily deposits go into a holding tank which can only be emptied when we are 3+ miles out to sea. It gives new meaning to feeding the fish!
EXPECTATIONS ARE EVIL
Expectations and schedules can be a joy killer. Sailors often say that "You can pick the place or you can pick the time but not both." Weather dictates where and what time we can go. You may be inconvenienced at some point in your travel to or from the boat. If you come with an open mind, prepared for anything, we will have a great time!
Your cabin will sometimes feel cramped and your personal space will be small. Sometimes it’s hot, wet, cold or all around miserable weather. Other times it’s like something out of a dream, with perfect, clear, blue skies and turquoise water. Think of it like camping on the sea with a really, really nice tent.
Being cooped up in a small space will cause us, at some point, to get irritated with each other. There will also be indescribable moments of connection and bonding. No matter what, at the end of the journey, we will have stories worthy of sharing for years to come.
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
We typically stay at anchor because it’s free, offers the most privacy, provides cool, evening breezes which make sleeping comfortable, and is usually the most scenic. Your lovely cabin room complete with ocean view is provided by us. A lot of our entertainment and adventures will be based around nature and are also free. If it is your desire to have air conditioning and the ability to charge all the electronics you want while onboard, let us know ahead of time as we can let you know the rate for us to dock at a marina or arrange for you to stay at a nearby hotel.
WE SPEAK MARINER
It is important you know some of the boat lingo basics before you come aboard. It’s for safety reasons and we also want to encourage your growth as a sailor. Familiarize yourself with the following terms and know what they mean so that we are not speaking Greek to you.
- Port & starboard
- Fender
- Galley, Salon, Cockpit, Cabin, Head
- Forward & Aft
- Bow & Stern
Bonus points and special treats if you know how to tie a Bowline & Clove Hitch before you come on board.
NO SMOKE SIGNALS
There is no smoking on Paradise Falls. You’ll have to go to land or be willing to risk burning a hole in your floatie while you puff away in the ocean. Not that any of our guests would ever consider this, but we still feel it’s important to say: DO NOT bring any illegal drugs on board. As the boat owners, we are responsible for anything on board and we would be the ones hauled off to prison and the boat will be seized. This situation would completely ruin your visit as well as our lives.
LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST…
We’re going sailing and this trip is going to be an experience of a lifetime, as you venture into our amazing water world! There will be wind, water, swimming, diving, fishing, snorkeling, free diving, and you will get wet. Please be sure to read over our sailboat packing list below so you don’t forget anything important or bring more than you need.
Thank you Eileen and Brown Council for your excellent visitor information!
