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Frequently Asked Questions
We've
done our best to answer all questions. Please read this and the
other info at this site before writing. But if we have not answered
your concerns, please ask.
The #1 asked
question:
I can't get to meetings.
Is there another way to sign up to sail?
The best we can do is invite
you to join us at breakfast on any Boating Day and if there's room
on a boat, you're welcome. You'll find us on the left side of the
restaurant (See Boating Day).
As a general rule, we do ask that you come to a meeting or two
before you sail. It is best for you to meet the skipper and
your crew mates before sailing.
The #2 asked question:
Is it okay that I don't
have any sailing experience?
Will I feel out of place if I have no sailing experience?
We have members with all levels
of sailing experience from novice to expert. But keep in mind that
even the experts were novices at one point of their lives. Some of
our members have become expert sailors as a result of the sailing
experience they gained with Single Mariners. There are others who
are not so motivated but still enjoy the camaraderie and the sailing
opportunities that we offer.
When you go out on a day sail,
you follow some simple, ordinary directions given by the
skipper of the boat. The skipper will not ask you to do things that
are beyond your ability.
At each meeting we have an
orientation for new participants that covers just about everything
that a person new to sailing and/or new to our club would need
before participating in a Single mariners sailing event.
I can't get to meetings at
7. Is it ok to arrive late?
We know it can be hard to get
there when you leave from work, so of course it's ok if you arrive
after the meeting starts. There are often some leftovers if you arrive after
dinner is served, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Afterwards, some members hang out until around 9:00pm, some stay later.
In cold weather the club's door
may be closed, so knock on the window. You haven't been locked out.
What is the day-sail
schedule?
Single Mariners' day sails
alternate between Saturdays and Sundays. Our meetings take place on
the first and third Thursdays of every month. Our day sails are
always scheduled for the Saturday following the first meeting of the
month and for the Sunday following our second meeting.
What do I bring for a day
sail?
Clothing: Wear
comfortable clothing. Bring layers--especially during colder months
because the weather can often change within the course of a day.
Always bring a jacket and/or sweat shirt. Wear soft-sole athletic or
boat shoes, white soles preferred. Please, no leather soles, heels,
or any footwear that may leave markings. Also bring sunglasses, sunscreen,
seasickness remedies (if needed) and a perhaps a hat. You may also
want to bring a camera or binoculars.
A Meal Contribution:
Bring some food and/or drinks to share with the others on your boat
and for the get-together after the sail. It's best to bring finger
food or food that does not require on-board preparation. Sandwiches,
salads, cold cuts...
Keep your gear and provisions
as compact as possible. Avoid bringing bulky items and ice chests.
(Most boats have coolers.)
Cash: Three
dollars ($3.00) from each person contributed toward the skippers'
breakfasts; the cost of your own breakfast + tax & tip.
Also, bring seven
dollars ($7.00) if you did not attend the meeting prior to the day
sail.
How will I be assigned to a
boat?
At each meeting the skippers
put out an invitation for guests. You can choose a boat subject to
availability. At breakfast on boating day skippers or our Fleet
Captain may make reassignments to ensure adequate crew on all boats.
Where do the boats sail? Do
they sail together or individually?
Our day sails cover the coastal
waters of Santa Monica Bay. Due to varying boat locations &
speeds, boats sail individually. At the end
of the sail, we may rendezvous at a pre-determined location or we
may simply hang out on our own boats. At
this time, we have our after-sail party with wine and snacks to
share with all who participated in the sail.
Do I have to be a member to
participate?
We welcome new faces. Join us
at one of our meetings; if you have as much fun as we think you
will, fill out an application for membership. We encourage
applicants to participate in our activities and share in our
camaraderie.
How is Single Mariners
supported?
Single Mariners has no dues or
membership fees. The club is supported, for the most-part, by the
$7.00 meeting fee, fund-raisers and contributions.
If you attend the meeting this
fee also typically gains you some good eats. If you miss the meeting
you are required to pay the same $7 fee on the morning of the sail.
Skippers who take us out on their boats on boating day have their
next meeting fee waived as a thank you.
When we meet for breakfast
before the sail, a $3 contribution is requested to cover the cost of
breakfast for our skippers sailing that day.
We have no paid staff and
depend fully on help from volunteers. Your meeting fees are
stretched a long way. They pay for such things as photocopies, name
badges, website services, our bartender, all food served,
plates and utensils, and more.
Why is your club limited
just to singles?
In addition to promoting
sailing activities, our purpose is also to provide an environment
that encourages friendship and camaraderie for singles, many of whom
do not have family members in the local area.
There are a number of other
sailing and yachting clubs that welcome both single individuals and
married couples. Most of these clubs have ongoing family activities
and events.
I live far from Marina del
Rey but plan to visit Southern California. Can I arrange to go out
sailing with Single Mariners?
You certainly can as long as
you and anyone else accompanying you to our club are single adults.
Send us an email and let us know you're visiting. If you can be at
our meeting, great. If not, tell us which sail day you'll be here.
Do you have any advice
about seasickness?
Comments here about seasickness
are made only in a general sense and are not intended as medical
advice.
Seasickness affects many people
to varying degrees - even sailors with years of experience. Looking
on the bright side, the body normally adapts after time. If you know
you have a tendency to get seasick, you may want to take an
over-the-counter remedy according to the label's instructions. These
pills can cause drowsiness and should be taken with care. There are
also stick-on patches that can be worn on the skin behind the ear.
Many people have had success
fending off seasickness with
Sea-Bands —
wrist bands the press on the acupressure point (called the Nei-Kuan
Point) on the underside of the wrist. Sea-Bands® are inexpensive and
are available at most drug stores and boat supply stores.
Ginger is also said to help
prevent seasickness when ingested at least several hours in advance.
It can be taken in various forms. Ginger powder is the purest source
(different studies have recommended 1 to 4 grams); or try ginger
root, or pickled ginger from an Asian market. You can also pick up
cubes or slices of pure ginger in the nut aisle at
Trader Joe's.
You can often avoid seasickness
by staying busy by taking over the helm or any other activity that
will keep you occupied. Look at the distant horizon rather than the
water close at hand. Take deep breaths and drink plenty of water.
The worst thing that a person can do is go below deck with no land
or horizon to look at. Reading or staring at an object will
assuredly bring on the affects of seasickness.
Did we miss your question?
We've done our best to answer
all questions, but if we miss yours, please ask. You can ask in
person at a meeting, or
send us an email.
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