For our Guests

Last updated 14-Jan-2023 [by Bill]

Special Announcement regarding visits while now that Covid 19 is prevalent being ignored: [with more embedded below...]

COVID-19 has affected all of us, and we hope everyone is safe and healthy.

We take this very seriously, and strictly follow any future mandates established both locally and nationally for everyone's peace of mind, and we expect our guests to do the same. 

Our herd of two achieved as much immunity as the C-19 vaccines provided through 2022, and we welcome you onboard if your herd has achieved the same- including recommended boosters... 

Despite all this, however, rest assured we still possess a modicum of common decency and decorum, and haven't yet lost our bloody minds...   

But we do highly recommend you confirm you have medivac insurance... Really...

Dear friends* [for now, anyway...] and family [those who can't get rid of us...]

*Sometimes we are asked if we charter. We do not. We do have recommendations to excellent sailing couples who do, so feel free to contact us via a comment here, or send your email address using the Contact Us form in the bottom of the right hand column... ———>

Please read carefully... [There will be a quiz... Really... Your entire time onboard...] Those who haven't read [and heed] this page in its entirity are easy to spot... [and will be ridiculed- even assigned various less desirable chores... dishes anyone?]

We look forward to seeing you, sharing adventures and our lifestyle with you- sometimes even going places we are all seeing for the first time. [We also look forward to ducking out of some of our more mondane chores by passing them off... er... delegating... to you; our new volunteers...]

All able-bodied seamen (which includes you) are encouraged to join in the fun of taking a turn at the wheel, navigating, cooking, fishing, kayaking, and relaxing with a book, and/or your favorite beverage.

Passenger: [including guests...] A form of movable internal ballast which tends to accumulate on the leeward side of sailboats once sea motions commence...     

(Quotes are courtesy of: Sailing Pocket Dictionary by Henry Beard and Roy McKie)    

We eat and drink very well, and like to think we pamper you a bit too...

You can expect that no one ever goes hungry with Bill cooking. And with Donna as “Chief Purser” we pack [often misplacing...] as much variety of great food, drinks, and snacks into our many hidey-holes as will fit. In the end, we will likely eat and drink whatever we can readily locate once everyone is thirsty and ravenous...

We blend variety with culinary excellence...

We love to provide you with food that you enjoy, and as part of planning we will be asking how much and what you typically consume [and when...] for breakfast lunch, dinner, snacks, beverages, etc. [Using an online version of this form... Be sure to be detailed with your responses. e.g., We aren't going to assume you like cream in your coffee- or even that you drink coffee- or whether you are fussy and prefer certain flavors of Spam over others...] 

When possible, we provision the boat prior to your arrival so that we don’t spend too much time getting ready once you arrive. Having a good idea of menu items in advance allows us to buy and stow them before your arrival. Depending on what our itinerary is, we may or may not be in port, and remote grocery stores don’t usually have the selection of more urban areas. [There are a few gourmet exceptions tucked away in some fairly remote areas, however...]

When planning your trip with us, we will help you figure out the when and where of your travel plans, but we also need to plan in some flexibility.  And ofttimes you will only be able to choose one or the other: where or when, because both are greatly influenced by the weather...

What is the most dangerous thing on a boat?  

A calendar...

Because of this, we will never allow the calendar to drive us when nature is not cooperating with a safe passage.  Once your passage is booked to the most logical point of rendezvous, we may be able to be in port to pick you up, or you may need to make a short journey on a ferry, or a short hop in a water taxi or commuter airplane.  We will plan for these contingencies in advance and know within days of your arrival whether they will be needed.

And speaking of calendars... while you are planning your visit, be sure to consult our planning calendar available from our private contact information document.  

Warning: We may also will undoubtedly make pack mules out of you. There may be times when we need item(s) we cannot get where we are, and ask you to bring it/them with you. [e.g., new diesel engine...] We may sometimes have something shipped to you for you to transport to us. Of course we will pay for everything, including any excess baggage charges. Think of it as part of the adventure.
When packing your bag, please use only a small roll up or collapsible duffle bag or soft backpack. Our boat has enough space for you to have your own room, but storage space is limited. You wouldn’t want to make your roller bag your bed buddy taking up your precious living space. [Try sleeping with your roller bag at home first...]

How much space? Well, you can prepare for your visit by showering, sleeping and dressing in your [non-walk-in] closet at home... You may still use your kitchen and dining room, however...
Denali Rose has 3 sleeping cabins. (bedrooms) But one is the designated workshop and laundryroom. We also have 2 heads (Duh; not referring to us, but rather small closets with a toilet; AKA bathrooms), 2 settee areas (seating areas with a table), a galley (the kitchen), inside and outside steering stations, the aforementioned workroom with a washer/dryer, and a dinghy which can also be used as a doghouse should anyone warrant accommodations off the main vessel while we are on the water... [We have several hundred feet of line so the desired degree of separation is negotiable.. or not...; and we can cast off the line- or even sever it with a knife- in extreme cases...]

Guest Cabin (V-Berth)

Alternative guest cabin arrangement welcoming anyone choosing to show up without warning...

[We kid you not...]

Note total lack of cushions; they are stored on land.

And there is nowhere else on the boat to put all this shtuff [not a typo]...

The [1st version, above] guest cabin can sleep 3 [friendly] adults. [2 in the lower berth, and one in the upper berth on the port side in the above photo.] Normally, 2 [friendly] adults use this cabin, and use the upper berth for their belongings [at least in the early stages of their visit...] There are also 3 small but deep drawers and a hanging locker at your disposal.

Hanging Locker: Small, enclosed space designed to keep foul weather gear wet and to turn all other clothing green.

When you arrive, we may indoctrinate you to the boat. To ease you into life afloat, here are some considerations for you to ponder prior to your arrival: [Hint: Possible quiz topics...]

We fill our 2 water tanks at the dock prior to departure. Denali Rose can carry 220 gallons of fresh water. [Enough for a couple of weeks of generous consumption for the two of us- if we take short showers- or a month or more using simple water saving techniques...] 

We also have a device called a “Water Maker” which- upon our command- desalinates ocean water at a rate of about 12 gallons/hour.  It's truly amazing how good the water is. We typically only operate it when we are running the engine in clean, open water.  

While we are not water misers, but we do watch how much we use, since the quantity is finite. We practice not letting faucets run unnecessarily, using what we need, and needing what we use...

While onboard, you can recharge your electronic devices using either 12V (DC; preferred) or 110V (AC; which is not available full time...)

Remember to bring your charger(s), cord(s), adapters(s), etc! [Remember: 12 volt is preferred, but not required...]

We have two “Heads.” (Smaller than preferred closets- with a toilet wedged inside...)  All Marine toilets have special directions to follow- very different from what you may be used to. Showing you how to use them will be covered [early on!] when you arrive... [After that, it is trial by fire, negating any quiz on this topic...]
The forward head has a composting toilet [desiccating, really...] and a sink with hot and cold running water. [You can stop pinching your nose now... there are no odors... Really!] This will be primarily for your personal use [but both heads are always open to everyone— except when they aren't!!] 

Regarding your toiletries; you will probably find it most convenient if you have one of those hanging bags to put on a hook. There is also a shelf and a small amount of cupboard space available for storing your items.

Forward head with the composting [desiccating] toilet... (Nature's Head)

The aft head has a water flush toilet [pumped by hand] sink, and the shower stall.  This is the primary area for our toiletries, and all of us will take showers there [but space limits us to one crew member at a time in the shower...]  

Aft Head (looking aft)

There are only a couple of things to know about marine flush toilets [our aft head]: We never put paper or anything else into the toilet system that we haven't consumed; and you must lower the lid and manually pump a dozen times or so [pumping; not opening and closing the lid...] to flush the toilet. We provide toilet paper [180 grit; or sometimes even finer...] small plastic bags to contain paper waste, and odorless baby wipes. All this goes into a small trash container.

Covid 19 note:

What about now— during the pandemic? Do you have enough TP for guests too?

Even with people the world over hoarding more than they can possibly use this decade?

Well, we have our secrets... [But we truly don't want this to be your only reason for visiting...]

Important: Thaw before using...

Carrying on...

We live in a small space, so you need to get over any embarrassment you have about using the bathroom [or doing anything else you may consider personal...] Relax knowing that “we are all in the same boat.”

What about showers you ask? Hot water is created when the engine or generator runs [and also when the boat is plugged in at a dock...] So when away from the dock, we often take our showers while we are motoring to a new destination [hot water recovers rapidly with the engine...] or while the generator is running when at anchor [slow hot water recovery on electricity.]  

The bottom line is we take brief showers to save water— and make sure everyone gets a hot one... [First up is last in next time around... Be wise...]

Aft Head and Shower (starboard side, looking forward)

 

More practice before you arrive: Showering on a boat has been compared over time to being locked in a closet with a large wet dog...

However long you stay with us, your time will be filled with fun and new experiences. You will not be a guest but instead part of our family. 

Denali Rose is an older boat with character, and we always have projects. We are slowly upgrading her systems, and making her our comfortable home.  She is safe, warm, and comfortable. 
And just wait till you see our back yard, and meet our neighbors...

Looking west from Wrangell, Alaska

Yearling black bear in tree at Anan Wildlife Observatory

[Yes, we were very aware of and alert for mama- who was fishing about 50 yards away... This photo was taken from a distance of about 20 yards... We don't want to disturb the wildlife... or become a play toy...]

Le Conte Glacier— with seals napping on ice bergs...

Dear friends on day 5 of their adventures with us...

Gear and clothing considerations: [You have to pack sooner or later...]
We have all kinds of gear onboard we can provide for your use; items you may not need to bring with you. For example, you don't have to bring a sleeping bag (unless you prefer your own or plan to camp on land in a tent...) Instead we use fleece bed rolls (with fleece blankets) to sleep in. We also have some extra pillows, quick dry towels, etc. [We will coordinate in advance to make sure nothing is forgotten...]

Loaner PFDs [Personal Flotation Device, or Life Jacket]: We have a few extra adult and young adult sized PFDs you may borrow, and some extra adult size foul weather gear, (this means storm, not merely rain.) 

We do not have PFDs in child or small young adult sizes [defined as homo sapiens weighing less than 90 lbs] so we ask that each of our light guests (including you supermodels) bring a well fitting (and comfortable!) PFD. 

Please Note: All PFDs must be US Coast Guard [USCG] Approved. [Approval will be printed on the inside of the PFD.] This is crucial! Otherwise we can be cited and fined!

Please be aware that in Alaskan waters the law requires anyone under the age of 13 to wear their [USCG approved] PFD anytime they are not below decks [i.e., inside the boat's cabins.] This is good advice for all of us; witness the Coast Guard: you will never see them on the water without a PFD...

Note: There are Kids Don't Float loaner lifejackets available at most marinas, but you cannot depend on one of the right size being available when you need it...

For anyone planning to paddle one of our sea kayaks or our stand-up paddleboard [SUP] be sure the PFD style you choose accommodates this.

Loaner Binoculars: We also have a couple extra pair of binoculars. [We feel this is the least we can do since the captain won't let you touch his when he is at the helm— he's an ornery cuss...]

Captain: See Figurehead.   

Figurehead: Decorative dummy found on sailboats. See Captain.

By all means feel free to bring your own gear as you wish. For example, your own PFD- especially if you plan to go kayaking or SUPing as they are quite personal in fit. You may also want to bring a sleeping bag if you plan to go camping ashore... [or just prefer your own bag instead of a the fleece bed-bug roll we provide...]

Of course, clothing and gear that you need to bring with you will depend upon the climate in the area where you will be joining us. [Currently the cooler, higher latitudes. See our current Climate page and our Map of Present Cruising Area for more details...]

Packing List Suggestions: [Remember to pack everything you bring in a small, soft duffle or frameless backpack.]

While we are in Northern Climes, please remember this mantra about clothing materials: Cotton chills. [Alternate version: Cotton Kills...] Cotton becomes damp in a marine environment, and it will not [ever] dry out. (The same goes for down insulation...) Don't ask us how we know this...
If you don't have a specific item of clothing or gear, let us know; we have some extra adult and young adult sizes of mid and outer layer clothing.  Since we don’t typically store this onboard, we will need time to get it out of storage, so please let us know in advance. 

Clothing:

Into a small soft duffle bag or frameless backpack, place some, all, or none of the following:

• Clothing Base layer: Tops and bottoms, commonly known as Long-Johns (Smartwool and WoolX are our favorites. And there are also many synthetics available.)
• Medium layer: Long sleeve and short sleeve tops, quick dry pants and shorts
• Outer medium layer: Fleece sweater, sweater/hoodie, fleece pants
• Outer layer: Rain coat, rain pants, windbreaker, warm synthetic jacket (no down- It doesn't work for same reasons that cotton doesn't...)
• Good, cheap rain gear recommendations? [If you don't want to borrow some of ours...]
• Frogg Toggs Firebelly Jacket
• Toadskinz Bib Pant
• Excellent [expensive] foul weather gear recommendations?
• Stormr [not a typo...]
• We prefer the Stormr Strykr designs... [jackets and bibs...]
• Ultimate foul weather/water rescue outerwear? 
• Drysuits... 
• We wear Kokatat drysuits when sea kayaking
• Our ultimate survival wear choice is the Ocean Rodeo Boss drysuit
• Update: Jan-2021; It appears Ocean Rodeo discontinued the Boss model. Too bad. It is a great design with all sorts of cargo pockets. 
• The Ignite model is what they now offer in its place.
• Optional additional outer layer: Gloves, warm hat, warm headband, buff, bill/baseball cap
• Smartwool or synthetic socks
• Synthetic underwear
• Footwear: Boots, shoes appropriate for your desired activities
• Which shoes or boots you bring will depend upon the activities you would like to participate in. Hiking boots/shoes, kayaking boots, rain boots, and tennis shoes are common.  
• One of the main considerations for your everyday shoes is that they need to be non-marking, and ideally have sticky soles when wet [and cleanable tread because we have fiberglass decks and teak soles [floors] that stand up well to daily use as long as shoes are clean and free of sand and rocks... One way to accomplish this is to reserve a pair of sneakers for use on the boat only...]  
• If you aren't willing to dance or play indoor soccer on your hardwood floors at home wearing your 'boat' shoes, then you need to find a different pair...
• We tend to be barefoot/slippers/socks when down below, but shoes are highly recommended [nay, required] when you are out on the deck because a sailboat has many bits specifically designed for stubbing and breaking toes. Additionally, it is easy to trip and hurt yourself or fall overboard, or worse, slice up your feet.  
• Therefore we ask everyone to please wear shoes when not below decks; crutches don't work so well on a boat... [Ask Donna...]

Personal Items:

• Photo ID [and Passport, etc. if required]
• Covid-19 Vacination Card/Record [just in case...]
• PFD [Personal Flotation Device; Re-read above for details...]
• Small, dependable flashlight and/or headlamp [don't forget spare batteries...]
• Water bottle
• Booze bottle(s)
• Plastic preferred, but good booze in glass bottles will be permitted if shared as decreed in our Ship's Articles, below...
• Earplugs you can comfortably sleep with [just in case...]
• Sunglasses
• Don't forget a floating strap or your preferred glasses retaining device... [dental floss works in a pinch...]
• Camera(s), batteries, charging cable(s)
• Likewise for floating straps...
• Reading materials (Consider an e-Reader [smartphone, tablet, etc.] or bring a few books.)
• Personal electronic devices and all necessary cases, earbuds/headsets, cables, chargers, memory cards, etc.
• IMPORTANT! Any electronic gaming devices must have a mute button or accommodate earbuds because the captain has been otherwise known- on more than one occasion- to randomly test them for flight worthiness and subsequent waterproofness in a variety of ocean depths... [It should also be noted that, to date, all recovery efforts have been unsuccessful...]
• Toiletries
• Unscented or very low scent shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotions, we use Paula's Choice onboard, and we are happy to share if you don't have access to unscented products. Keep in mind that since we are used to unscented, even low scent can be too much, again, happy to share since the shower has automatic dispensers already loaded and ready for everyone to use.
• Sunscreen (really...) and your favorite [non-aerosol] bug repellent if you plan to go kayaking or hiking/camping.
• Medications
• Don't forget any prescription medications you may have... [in the original prescription bottle with your name on it- in case we are boarded by any authorities.]
• We have a selection of typical pain relievers onboard including aspirin, acetaminophen, whisky, rubber mallet, etc.
• Fishing/Hunting License(s) [But only if you plan to...]
• PLB [Personal Locator Beacon] or other sat comms device(s) [e.g., InReach, etc.] you may have.
• But don't go buy something just for your visit. We have you well covered.

Most importantly, pack your can-do attitude and expectations for having fun!

Please Don't Bring:

We appreciate your consideration for NOT bringing any of the following items onboard:

• Pets [we serve at the pleasure of feline crew already...]
• Which reminds us...

• Electric appliances [e.g., hair dryers, curling irons, waffle makers, weldors, etc. These put an unnecessary load on our 12 volt battery bank, and it isn't worth running our 10kw generator to dry hair when a nice breeze or one of our fans will do...]
• Nail polish/Nail polish remover [i.e., anything with solvents...]
• Hairspray
• Perfume - any kind [this also prevents you from being the bug magnet...]

• Baby powder scented anything
• Scented shampoos, soaps, after shave, and body products
• Dryer sheets [or anything that has been near one this century...]
• Any prescription drugs or substances that aren't in the original prescription bottle with your name on it...
• Personal issues [which— like injuries that occur onboard— will be amputated...]
• Tobacco products
• This includes anyone in early stages of quitting any dependencies... [or co-dependencies for that matter...]
• Close quarters on the open water is not a good place to initiate a cold turkey campaign— unless you desire extensive, non-voluntary training in drown proofing, or have a hankering to hone your survival skills on a remote island during your stay...
• Anything that people smoke [We are a non-smoking vessel inside and out...]
• Please note: Even though Alaska has legalized cannabis, it is still not allowed onboard- likewise for any other 'illegal substances.' [Besides, Denali Rose is a smoke-free vessel...]
• Why? [Aside from our smoke-free policy...] US flagged vessels are always subject to Federal laws [enforced by the US Coast Guard (USCG) anywhere in the world...] which supersede State laws. Consequently, US boats are subject to being boarded at anytime, anywhere in the world without cause- even if they are your domicile, even if you are asleep in a marina.
• Here is a brief article with quotes from the USCG [Apr-2018]
• Fourth amendment rights have not extended to US flagged vessels since the Revenue Cutter Act of 1790 (which remains unchanged today... Oh, and for you history buffs and sea lawyers, the 4th Amendment was ratified in 1791...)
• This was again reinforced in 1949 when 14 USC 89 was made law.
• This article explains it from boater's perspective.
• We mention this not to complain, but to make sure you are forewarned...
• For example, here is a video of some US cruisers being boarded by the US Coast Guard at 4:15am for over 4 hours while underway in the Caribbean and having their boat searched and bodies swabbed for drug testing. [Oct-2015]
• Thank you for understanding!

What about remote communications while on the boat?

Our private contact information document [which we will share with you if we haven't already...] details all the methods of communicating while on the boat- including when we are out of range of cell and WiFi. [Yes; voice, SMS, and email are aways possible using our onboard satellite comms...]


Suggested prerequisites: 
For your own comfort [and to avoid encounters with the cat o' nine tails... or even more importantly to earn Grog rations at the Captain's table...] we recommend you learn how to properly: 

• Cleat a line 
• Video with more details and worthwhile considerations
• Graduate School Cleating Video

• Tie 2 knots and 1 hitch: (That's all! These 3 are all you will ever need on any boat, and they are interrelated; each has variations and combinations resulting in several more knots and hitches, included below... Remember to practice!)
• Double-overhand stop knot 
• Everyone knows the overhand knot [AKA half-hitch] which, by-the-way, is half of a clove hitch, below... See how easy this is...?
• Bowline (Basic technique; variations below)
• Quick Bowline (if you can tie a slip knot, you can tie a bowline...)
• Overhand knot method [easy, and easy to remember...]
• One-handed Bowline (this could save your life one day...)
• Water Bowline (learn the clove hitch first and then learn this locking version of the bowline...)
• Clove hitch (which easily becomes 4 more hitches; 5 for 1... Bonus Grog rations)
• Rolling hitch
• AKA Midshipman's hitch (same hitch; different use...)
• Icicle Hitch (the best non-sliding hitch...)
• Buntline hitch
• Anchor hitch
• Coil lines
• Another take on sailing knots, hitches, and bends...

Do your practice knots manifest in your stomach instead of on the rope?  

Don't worry; we have a solution:

We call it 'Hellcro'... which you will get if you ever tried to store a bunch to have at the ready...

Prerequisites [continued]:

• Use a winch...
• Exit a Kayak while upside-down underwater: If you plan to kayak and don't already know how to perform a wet exit please get some training and practice before you come...
• Prepare Meals in the galley [optional]: Feel free to practice on us all you want!
• The cook will leave the mess for someone else to clean up...
• No punishments are ever inflicted regardless of outcome...

Galley:   

1) Ancient: Aspect of seafaring associated with slavery.    

2) Modern: Aspect of seafaring associated with slavery. 

Extra credit? Learn some nautical jargon, matey... [More jargon here if you haven't had enough already...]

• We always provide location and direction instructions in relation to the boat.
• e.g., Like when you refer to the driver's side of a vehicle instead of left side [or other left for our British enfluenced friends...] because you don't know which way someone may be facing; (left is relative; driver's side is constant; even for our British Colonial friends— even though theirs is on the wrong side... However, we do agree on port and starboard...)
• Test yourself:
• That item is in the lower forward outboard locker on the starboard side of the pilothouse...
• The large First Aid kit is outboard center behind the pilothouse settee...
• Get your own beer you bilge rat! [Note seamanlike use of proper jargon...] It's stowed against the hull beneath the sole immediately inboard of the aft head...
• The wine is stored outboard at bench level of the lower settee aft seat...
• The main freezer is under the aft bench of the lower settee... [Ice is hidden elsewhere- depending upon season...]
• Always chum [puke] from the leeward [downwind] side of the vessel, you swab! [More proper jargon...]

Even more extra credit? [For the borderline obsequious...]

• Learn how to operate a Marine VHF Radio [So we don't have to...]
• Learn the basics of sailing and trimming sails [ Again- so we don't have to... ]
• Learn the 6 ways a boat can move on the water [So you can explain it to us...]
• Pitch, Yaw, Roll, Heave, Surge, and Sway
• And believe us when we say you don't want to experience more than 2 simultaneously for any length of time...

And- before leaving this page to go waste time elsewhere- do read the following Ship's Articles since- upon being piped aboard- you agree to be bound by them...

Click to see the real deal...

What do other boats suggest for their guests? Here are a few examples...

• Astrolabe Sailing
• Burnetts Ahoy [Our sentiments exactly...]
• Yacht Kate

Have any guests survived their time with us on the hellship?

Cruising: Waterbourne pleasure journey embarked on by one or more people. A cruise may be considered successful if the same number of individuals who set out on it arrive, in roughly the same condition they set out in, at some piece of habitable dry land, with or without the boat... 

Yes. We have evidence of a few who have survived their journeys with us...

• Here is a family of 6 that spent 10 days with us...
• This family of 5 joined us in the dead of winter...
• A couple...
• Other survivors...