Blog #9 Sailing Circles and Cruising Conservation

Friday was our last day of sailing before we started our crossover back to the U.S. We only sailed a few miles from Double Breasted Cay to Grand Cay, but we used the opportunity to practice our new sailing skills and maneuvers. Amelia and I both practiced our jibes and tacks and then Vince challenged us both by having us perform circles. This consists of a tack and jibe back to back to the boat turn in a full 360. It was intimidating at first and quite intense to do so many things one after another, but after a few times, Amelia and I both completed the circles on our own successfully and confidently. After that, we learned how to do quick stops with the boat which are used in emergencies, like if there is a man overboard. Essentially we had to turn through the wind and then back into the wind which allows for the boat to essentially park in the middle of the water. It is able to stop the boat about 2 to 3 boat lengths from the hypothetical victim in the water, then you can throw them a flotation device, get them yourself, or call for help.

Later in the afternoon, we all reflected on how different the lifestyle on the boat is compared to on land, specifically in terms of conservation. On land the typical person uses about 25 gallons of water a day; however, on a boat, we use about 4 to 5 gallons of water. That is a huge difference! The boat has a water tank similar to a gas tank, which means water is a very limited resource for us. We reduce our water use by having toilets that use ocean water and just return waste to the ocean or holds waste in a holding tank. We also take very short showers, often only a rinse after our last swim of the day. The boat has a fresh water pump that we only have on when we are using water which saves a lot of water as well. In addition to water conservation, we also have to reduce our overall waste production. When we are far from shore we are able to throw organic products and small pieces of paper and glass into the ocean. Besides that, you are stuck carrying all of your other trash around for your whole sailing trip, so you don’t want to throw out a lot.