John, it's funny that you would write a post with this topic. My wife and I were just talking about putting something tegether so that we wouldn't forget some of the important points. We recently invited a couple of friends up for a day of sailing and I didn't give them a briefing prior to leaving the dock. Rather than handling it ad hoc I need to make a list of the key points. You have several good ones listed.

John,

We've found that by the time someone has to actually use the head they've already forgotten the instructions we'd given them for its use when they first came on board!

We keep it simple:

1. One hand for yourself, one for the boat --- then we explain what that means.

2. Please do what we ask, when we ask it, usually immediately --- then feel free to ask why after you've completed the task.

These two have sufficed for over 30 years.

You have a relatively unique situation, that we have the good fortune to share: your location in the Oakland estuary gives you plenty of time to both instruct and entertain guests as you motor out to the Bay. Unless you're tacking out the estuary, which is rare and usually not done with newbie guests, it is a nice 40 minute ride. We show off the sights, like the "Potomac" and other points of interest. We take folks around the boat, usually one at a time. When they ask questions, we answer them.

We have written instructions for the head (simple: small handle up, pump 10 times, use head, pump 10 more times, small handle down, pump 10 times, done) and the VHF (right next to it). We've got a full four page Boat Startup and Shutdown checklist. I cobbled it together almost a decade after we purchased [I]Aquavite[/I], and have only had need to use it once: when my son was starting to get interested in boating again; I figured if he could deal with that long of a list maybe he WAS interested again after all!!!:cool:

The rest of the stuff folks tend to pick up based on their interest levels.

Information overload is really something to avoid. I would be interested in knowing what information one would need sailing outside the Gate vs. inside.

Oh, I forgot: Have Fun!!!

I agree with Stu that information overload can be a problem for some, but I prefer to give them more than just the minimum for those that might absord it. O start out by saying I have two basic jobs as captain: first, to keep my crew safe, then to ensure they have fun.

I further explain that to do the first job, I need their attention while I tell them where the life jackets are located. I ask if everyone can swim well and would anyone feel better having a jacket on (We have only had 'guests' aboard once in other than easy conditions, and that was for overnight passagemaking. If conditions are rough or it is after dark, everyone topside wears a life jacket).

I explain where the fire extinguishers are and briefly how to use them. I show them the throttle and shfit lever and the remote cockpit mic for the VHF radio. I tell them that as long as Diane or I are on board and functional, things will be fine.

I tell them that the first mate or I will show them how to pump the head on first use and to be sure to alert us. I encourage them to assume I have not seen other nearby boats or obstacles and to point them out to me. I ask that no one goes forward outside the cockpit unless I know about (so I can explain what to do and not do as circumstances dictate).

Out guest sailing has so far always been in easy conditions, so heeling has been minimal, but I agree that explaining that in advance is a good idea.