Visiting Big Sky

We're glad you're coming! Below are a few tips for packing and what to anticipate living aboard. The trickiest part of your visit may be the rendezvous location, because we're dictated to by wind and weather which means you may have to via train, bus, or ferry. Nevertheless, we'll do what we can to ease the connections.

What to bring: Pack light and remember it's cooler on the water. Keep it simple (we have a washer and dryer aboard). Check with us for anticipated weather. We have rain coats, so perhaps a light wind breaker is needed. Comfy walking shoes and soft soled shoes for the boat. Remember a shawl or sweater for your shoulders for visits to churches and mosques. Hats are important and an under-chin strap works well while underway. Sun glasses with straps too. (Con's lost a number of glasses to the sea!)

A duffle bag on wheels or a back pack would be ideal, as hard suitcases are more difficult to store.

Life jacket for swimming (if that's your preference). We have life jackets, but they are not for swimming as they inflate when in contact with the water. Bring life jackets for children.

Ear plugs, if different noises tend to keep you awake. There are bound to be windy nights and squeeking marina lines.

Currency: ATM's will provide instant cash. Check with your bank about fees, so you don't have surprises when you get your statement. Outside North America, 'cash' is the preferred currency.

Guests share one safety deposit box for valuables.

We have an assortment of sea sickness pills aboard as well as sea sickness remedies like pressure point bracelets.

Things to know: We have 1600 litres of fresh water in three holding tanks. Never keep a tap running. When showering aboard, wet yourself, turn off the water, soap up, shampoo, shave, etc., and then turn the water back on for the rinse cycle. Same idea when brushing your teeth, washing your hands, etc. We drink and cook from the water out of the tanks through the filtered tap.

Sometimes we have television reception, lots of movies, books, magazines, and nearly unlimited access to the internet.

Three bedroom ship (two guest rooms). One double bed in the V-berth, and two single bunk beds in the third room. The two guest rooms share one bathroom. View About pages and the pictures. (We have a dishwasher, oven, stove, microwave, washing machine, dryer, heater, air conditioner, piped-in music, and three televisions.

Big Sky uses shore power (16 Amps and 230 Volts) and a generator for short periods of time if there's no access to electricity. We avoid using the batteries for day-to-day energy needs.

Our lifestyle is casual. We walk, bike or use local transportation to get wherever, and on occassion rent a car. Sometimes when the conditions are just right, we may sail off in the night or at first light to the next destination.

Meal planning is based on the foods available in the towns, harbours and cities, and generally enjoy experiencing the different cultural tastes and local wines. Good tastes are a major priority.

Your involvement: Sure! It's more fun when we all take a shift making meals, shopping in the market, and helping to plan the route on sea and land too. Also taking turns at the helm on watch. Be sure to inspect your quarters to make sure nothing is lose and could fall or fly when we sail. Please wipe down the shower stall and door after use, and pump out the water.

Your help docking and departing, by helping with fenders and docking lines. More hands are always better. On long passages, we put a watch-duty schedule together so everyone takes a shift. After a long passage or by the end of a week, we get out a bucket, brushes and fresh water to wash the boat topside.

Each room is equipped with window screens, please use them to keep mosquitos, cockroaches and flies outside. Ensure the windows are fully closed before each departure!

Toilets: They're electric and require a finger button to flush. The content is flushed through a masticator, and then continue to the sea, and then the fresh water must return from the sea to the tank. That takes at least six seconds. Be kind to the toilet and use minimal toilet paper. Nothing goes down the toilet that you haven't eaten, except for the few sheets of toilet paper. Hair or dental floss can destroy the mechanics.

Communication: We have a European cell phone which usually doubles as our modem, Skype and Face Book for phone calls. and try to buy SIM cards for each country. This is our modem. Also used for emergencies, and local calls. We use Skype to make phone calls around the world.

To sail or not to sail: Sailing is a new experience for most people. If you know in advance that you're uncomfortable about sailing, but are coming to visit us, just say so, we'll work together on the planning.

There may be travel days where the water is like glass, and other days when it's rougher. If the conditions are not for you, don't feel bad or be afraid to say so. Easy alternatives may be that we go by sea, and you travel by bus or train and we meet later in the afternoon or so.

Safety: Before sailing, we will go over the safety procedures to make sure it's safe and comfortable for everyone. For instance, we don't drink and drive, or leave the port without a pre-charted course. We don't jump off the boat when it's moving or coming into dock. We have criteria for when it's necessary to wear life jackets and safety harnesses.

Most importantly, have fun.