Beer and sailing. Are you for it or against it?

[Joseph]

Here are some interesting URLs produced by Google with pertinent facts, figures and suggestions. There are more but anybody can Google these days! Some seem from sources of, presumably, undisputed authority and credibility:

http://www.uscgboating.org/command/initiative.htm
http://www.uscgboating.org/command/initiative/bui.htm
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bui.htm
http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Alcohol/ba.pdf
http://www.boat-ed.com/sc/course/p4-5_alcoholdrugs.htm
http://www.boatingsafety.com/alcohol.htm
http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/new_alcohol_boating.htm

Cheers!

J.

[Nicolina]

No alcohol while sailing for me. No alcohol while driving or flying either. When I was a student pilot, I once had an early morning instruction flight following an evening meal with 2 or 3 glasses of wine. I felt completely sober after 8 hours of sleep and I know I would not have felt any effect in a normal situation. But in the plane, I noticed my coordination wasn't very good and I could not handle stress as well as I should. Now I don't drink at least 12 hours before flying, and I know what effect alcohol can have even when we "feel fine".

[ka8uet]

We have a fellow around here who seems set on showing how stupid one can be while drunk.  He got drunk and drove a bulldozer across his neighbor's yard.  Next he got drunk and drove a  fork lift.  Then he rode into town on a horse.  He was drunk, the horse seemed to be sober.  He stopped the police and told them they couldn't arrest him for riding a horse drunk.  They arrested him for public intoxication.  While he was still on the horse, it fell over, landed on him and broke his leg.  After he got out of the hospital, he was arrested for riding a bike drunk, and for driving another piece of construction equipment while drunk.  He seems to have set himself the task of trying every thing possible to find something he can drive while drunk and not get arrested.  He also was arrested a few years back for riding a lawnmower while drunk.  He said he took the mower because he was too drunk to drive.  I'm glad he doesn't own a boat!

[Steve Ullrich]

Was that in Wisconsin? Might have been my brother.

We have a fellow around here who seems set on showing how stupid one can be while drunk.  He got drunk and drove a bulldozer across his neighbor's yard.  Next he got drunk and drove a  fork lift.  Then he rode into town on a horse.  He was drunk, the horse seemed to be sober.  He stopped the police and told them they couldn't arrest him for riding a horse drunk.  They arrested him for public intoxication.  While he was still on the horse, it fell over, landed on him and broke his leg.  After he got out of the hospital, he was arrested for riding a bike drunk, and for driving another piece of construction equipment while drunk.  He seems to have set himself the task of trying every thing possible to find something he can drive while drunk and not get arrested.  He also was arrested a few years back for riding a lawnmower while drunk.  He said he took the mower because he was too drunk to drive.  I'm glad he doesn't own a boat!

[robb_black]

I enjoy having a beer or two (on occasion) when sailing.  I usually avoid alcohol when I am out because drinking alcohol while out in the sun is not good for hydration.  My beverage of choice is usually water or gatorade in order to avoid dehydration.  But if we have a steady course, a nice breeze, and if I drank plenty of water earlier in the outing then why not toast a great sailing day with a round of beers?

[ka8uet]

Steve, sorry about your brother! :-)  No, not in Wisconsin, northern Ohio.  I'm still trying to figure out why the horse fell over.  I used to raise, train and show horses, and never had one fall over.  Maybe he got the horse drunk, too!  Then there's the line in the obituary of one of my ancesters-"even a sober man couldn't have handled those horses."!  LOL

[nies]

AS IN LIFE, HAVING A BEER IS NOT A BAD THING AS LONG AS ITS DONE IN MODERATION. MY TEST IS, COULD MY ACTIONS EFFECT OTHERS NEGATIVELY , AND IF SO DONT !!!  ..............NIES

[tmolik]

...the amount of beer a person drinks on a boat is inversely proportionate to that person's IQ...duh...

tom

[kchunk]

...the amount of beer a person drinks on a boat is inversely proportionate to that person's IQ...duh...

tom

Not true...I know some really dumb boaters who never drink a drop! 

[Bob23]

Greg:
   I'll drink to that!
Bob23

[HideAway]

Seems to me that turning on an ignition key turns off the brain - Matt

[kickingbug1]

   against----cant say i need beer on a good sailing day. let the powerboaters get drunk no sense adding to the problem

[adifferentdrummer]

A beer, a boiled egg, a tin of sardines, and a few saltines is a true maritime cornucopia for a sunny afternoon's sail. If the conditions were anything other than placid, I might forgo the beer for some other tasty beverage. I like to relax, not get drunk. My brain is dim enough without any undue help from me. Yes, I might enjoy a beer, or even two, while engaged in a leisurely bit of sailing. So far, it has not caused me to sail off the edge of the world.

Milt

[Bob23]

Milt:
   Good thing you haven't sailed off the edge of the world. I hear it's a tough beat to windward getting back. But who knows? Maybe you'll find a better one down there. Let us know.
Bob23...grog to ya.

[adifferentdrummer]

Hear here, and a round of cheer, for all me hearties!

Merry Christmas to all,
and to all,
following seas and a slapping breeze!

Milt