Booze on board?

[Sticky Fingers]

Not a problem for me bcs I don’t drink…Nor do I have a boat.

Hmm, one of those is not so good.

You could definitely fix one of those!

 

[newtothis]

Not a problem for me bcs I don’t drink…Nor do I have a boat.

Hmm, one of those is not so good.

You are Wansworth and and I claim my £5.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Interesting topic. My view of this is broadly 'don't drink and boat', I love a cold beer in the evening sun after we've arrived and put the boat to bed though. Or if a long lazy lunch at anchor might have something with lunch.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

You are Wansworth and and I claim my £5.

Lol. He really isn't!

 

[Thresher]

Of course, alcohol underway is a complete no no. But after a long passage, tied up and safe, I get completely wasted, I love it. I feel I've earned it.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Wasted, or waisted?

 

[KevinV]

Only a beer or two the night before sailing, nothing at all at sea, then whatever we fancy when the anchor is solid and the boat is sorted.

 

[johnalison]

Oh that creates a much more interesting question - are the colloquial terms for a measure different for different spirits?

I think so, but I deliberately avoided the more obvious ‘dram’ of whisky, not being Scotch myself. (I use Scotch in place of Scots in a probably vain attempt to resurrect what was actually normal usage in the 18thC)

 

[ylop]

I think so, but I deliberately avoided the more obvious ‘dram’ of whisky, not being Scotch myself. (I use Scotch in place of Scots in a probably vain attempt to resurrect what was actually normal usage in the 18thC)

I think, at least in the company I keep, dram does not require a definition of the liquid it contains - it is always a whisky. Curious then that rum is always a tot and whisk(e)y a nip when used with the drink. I guess tequila is a shot (although other things are too), but what are the normal “measures” of brandy and vodka? Gin I guess is rarely drunk neat so less likely to have its own term…

I think your attempt to restore language to that used during the Highland Clearances might be somewhat futile! But I guess colonialism is having a resurgence so why not!

 

[newtothis]

what are the normal “measures” of brandy and vodka? Gin I guess is rarely drunk neat so less likely to have its own term…

Can't speak to brandy, but I measure vodka by the pint.

 

[Koeketiene]

I sail solo most of the time.
The boat is well stocked with booze - some might even say she sits low in the water.
No alcohol when underway, though I will enjoy a drink or two at the end of the day (either alongside or at anchor).
Before longer passages (36 - 48 hrs plus) I refrain from any alcohol 1 or 2 days prior as sleep quality seems to be better without booze (or so my heart monitor tells me).

 

[Concerto]

Never drink alcohol before or whilst sailing. Whilst sailing I drink plenty of water, tea and sometimes a diet coke.. Once berthed I usually do not have an alcoholic drink as I normally head straight for bed as I would have sailed 60+ miles. Shortly I will starting a 8 to 10 day trip of day sails and I doubt I will have any alcohol until I arrive at my destination. Most visitors to my boat are surprised I do not drink beer, so rarely have have any aboard. Can supply cider, white wine, whiskey, gin, Pimms, sherry, port, etc. As I do not drink spirits, the whiskey and gin are rarely asked for. About 5 years ago I was given a fine single malt and despite offering it to visitors, it remains unopened.

 

[steve yates]

Well I thoroughly enjoy a beer or two during the day when sailing. And visiting pubs will often dictate the destination

 

[KevinV]

but what are the normal “measures” of brandy and vodka? Gin I guess is rarely drunk neat so less likely to have its own term…

A snifter of brandy, a shot of vodka and dutch gin (jenever or genever), which IS drunk neat, is a "neut"

 

[john_morris_uk]

Goodness me. I’m surprised at some of the answers; those who ‘never’ drink etc.

We’ve never had a ‘no alcohol’ rule but there are strict limits. Normally when on a day sail we don’t drink alcohol at all. On longer passages of more than just one night at sea, it’s ONE small beer or glass of wine at the daily ‘all crew’ meeting. This is normally at 1800 local time before the main meal of the day.

As for not drinking the night before sailing… as I can’t remember the last time I drank so much that I had a hangover, it’s normal moderate consumption for us. We usually have a g&t or similar before dinner and sometimes a glass of wine with dinner. However quite often we don’t have wine and even if we do, the bottle lasts several days.

As our sailing now consists of living aboard for months at a time we often have a glass of something on board. Unlike many people, I rarely drink beer and neither of us ever drink any alcohol during the day but sitting in the cockpit at anchor with a nightcap is one of life’s pleasures AFAIC.

 

[Stemar]

As a confirmed glutton and winebibber, I enjoy an apéritif and a glass of wine with a meal, but one small drink with a meal is plenty if I'm driving anything, with the possible exception of Madame round the bend. Drinking at anchor? That depends on how secure I feel - a sheltered location, good weather and no one nearby, bring it on, but if I'm unsure about anything, I'll stick to one glass.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Well I thoroughly enjoy a beer or two during the day when sailing. And visiting pubs will often dictate the destination

Thanks goodness - was beginning to think I wandered into some Quaker* meeting house...

*other abstemious religious persuasions are available..

 

[Fr J Hackett]

When I did sail if it was a day sail to somewhere local then it would possibly be a beer at lunchtime on route, on arrival with the main meal either on board or ashore a couple of glasses of wine. That to me was not excessive and not a problem even if the evening was to be spent at anchor. If I envisaged a hard slog back either at the end of a cruise or weekend away then I wouldn't drink the night before departing or on the journey.
On a passage of more than a day it was a beer perhaps at lunch depending on conditions and if both crew were awake ( I rarely sailed on long passages with more than either just myself or one crew); or a glass of wine with the evening meal or beer if the crew preferred.

 

[Graham376]

Being a chucking-up rather than a happy drunk, I have a good incentive not to get pissed. We don't have any alcohol rules on board, have a drink if we feel like it but in moderation. Living on a mooring, we obviously take more care in tender unlike some friends (one in particular) who seem to fall in fairly regularly when trying to board their boats.

 

[johnalison]

Never drink alcohol before or whilst sailing. Whilst sailing I drink plenty of water, tea and sometimes a diet coke.. Once berthed I usually do not have an alcoholic drink as I normally head straight for bed as I would have sailed 60+ miles. Shortly I will starting a 8 to 10 day trip of day sails and I doubt I will have any alcohol until I arrive at my destination. Most visitors to my boat are surprised I do not drink beer, so rarely have have any aboard. Can supply cider, white wine, whiskey, gin, Pimms, sherry, port, etc. As I do not drink spirits, the whiskey and gin are rarely asked for. About 5 years ago I was given a fine single malt and despite offering it to visitors, it remains unopened.

An unopened bottle is just surplus weight occupying useful space and slowing the boat down. At great personal risk I am prepared to make the sacrifice and take it off your hands if it becomes a problem for you.