I was going through some of the old PDB archives the other day and I found a great story on being a good guest while onboard your friend’s boat. The suggestions were common sense, but given the world we live in, refreshing common courtesy isn’t always a bad thing. But that got me thinking. What about being a good host or hostess while you have company onboard? Isn’t it just as important to make people feel comfortable as it is for them to respectful?
So I sat down and compiled a list of things to consider when you’re having guests on your boat for the day. These are just suggestions and the best host and hostess will take what works best for them and apply the principles to make their guests feel welcome and wanted.
1 FOOD
Touch base about food beforehand. Ask guests about dietary restrictions and personal preferences when you extend the original invitation. When you plan for the day, take a little extra time to make sure you have snacks onboard that will make them feel comfortable.
Be sure to take them up on offers to contribute food too. It’s always helpful when people bring chips and dip, fresh fruit or their favorite picnic dish. Remind them that glass aboard a boat isn’t always a great choice and that finger food works the best.
2 DRESS
Make sure they dress appropriately. Let your guests know, especially the inexperienced ones, that expensive clothing may not be the best idea on a boat. Explain that with the way your spouse drives, the chances of something being damaged or completely lost are 50/50. If you have strict rules on your boat, this is the time to let them know that non-marking sandals or boat shoes are a must. Also fill them in on the approximate weather conditions for your lake.
It’s not a bad idea to make sure you dress appropriately as well. We once went boating with my husband’s co-worker and his female companion showed up in a “barely there” swimsuit. I can’t really put it into words, but it was just uncomfortable. Obviously you’re on your boat so you can do whatever you want, but sacrificing a little of your own priority will let your guests know that you value their feelings as well.
3 NEEDS
Ask in advance what supplies they might need. Your needs may be different from your guests. We have an employee in our office whose husband doesn’t swim, at all. If I were ever able to talk him on to our boat, I would make sure to have a CO2 life jacket available for him because they’re light and not florescent orange. I would also make sure to give him a way that didn’t draw a lot of attention to the fact that he would sink like a lead balloon if he went overboard. All of this goes back to making sure your guests feel welcome and comfortable aboard your pontoon or deck boat.
You should also make sure to bring enough of the necessities, such as sunscreen, beach chairs, towels, for everyone. This sounds like a huge pain and lost of extra work, but if your guests aren’t boaters, these things may honestly escape them. Plus it gives you the chance to be the hero for the day.
4 CHIP’N IN?
Graciously accept offers to chip in for gas, but don’t be bitter if you don’t get one. Many boat guests wonder if they should offer to help pay for gas, but then it turns into an awkward moment. If they offer to help out, let them! If you are only planning a short excursion, it might not occur to them and that’s okay too. If you extend an invite to a guest on your own initiative, then be prepared to cover the fuel expense. If they invite themselves along every weekend and never offer to help out, open that Excel spreadsheet and hit “create bill.” Drop it in the mail Monday morning on your way to work. You have my permission not to be a doormat.
5 CAPTAIN CAUTION
Act like the captain at all times. In other words, never do anything that would compromise the safety of your guests or yourself. Stay sober. In a true emergency, your guests might not even know where to begin so you need to be of sound mind at all times. Just this summer, I went out on a boat with a man who had much more to drink than I had first anticipated. He ended up screaming at a passing boat and I wanted to die of embarrassment, plus I didn’t feel safe or welcome aboard his pontoon. Worst boating trip ever.
C LEANUP
Excuse your guests from cleaning up. Some people might disagree with this statement. I have to preface it by pointing out that as a guest myself, I would never not help clean up. My mother would be beside herself if I just walked away. But, as a hostess, show your guests a fantastic time on the lake and end the night on a high note by letting them relax. Let them figure out how much work it really is after you’ve sold them on the boating lifestyle and they own their own boat. If they do insist on helping, then by all means, let them. A few more helping hands really do speed up the process.
All of these things go back to making sure your friends want to stay your friends after you go boating with them. It doesn’t take a lot to make people feel comfortable and the fact that you’ve extended the invitation means you want them there. Just keep lines of communication open early in the process and you are setting yourself up for a fun day on the lake.
