Bluewater FAQ
What is “Bluewater” sailing? We use the term “Bluewater” to describe sailing that is done in Boston Harbor and in the Atlantic Ocean where the water is blue (well… it’s much bluer than the muddy Charles River!). MIT’s current bluewater sailboat is Mashnee, a 47-foot wooden sloop.
How can I sail on Mashnee? All you need to do is to have a sailing card, and to sign up for sails on the MIT Sailing calendar. During the season Mashnee skippers post several sails a week, and we announce them on the bluewater mailing list. We usually have 7-9 people on the boat; the sailors will have a range of skills, from complete newbie all the way to round the world sailors. We will always have a skipper and one or more bluewater crew, who know in detail how to sail the boat.
What sailing skills do I need to sail on Mashnee? You do not have to know how to sail to sign up for a trip on Mashnee. We welcome sailors of all skill levels and abilities. A boat the size of Mashnee needs a crew to sail her and we’re always eager to teach new sailors the skills that they need to help keep her on a steady course. You can do as much or as little as you like while on your trip.
How do I sign up? Trips will be scheduled through the Sailing Calendar. All trips will also be announced on the Bluewater mailing list. If you would like to sign up, go to the event page and click the “Registration” link. Please note: signing up does not guarantee you a spot onboard. The skipper will select a crew a few days before the sail, and you will get a second email confirming you have been selected as part of the crew.
I signed up twice. Why haven’t I been picked yet? There are usually many more people interested in a trip than will fit onboard, so, unfortunately, we can’t take everyone. We also need a range of skill levels, from newbies to learners to experienced hands. Keep signing up—we are trying to give everyone a chance to sail!
What kind of sailing does Mashnee do? There are a few types of sails that Mashnee regularly does: 1) Harbor sails. These could be day-long sails during the weekend, which might go up to Marblehead or around the Harbor Islands, or shorter evening sails to see a sunset and the Boston skyline at night. 2) Round-the-buoys racing. There’s a Wednesday evening race series of local big boats (i.e. non-dinghy) around the buoys in the harbor, as well as a Saturday series. Being part of the race crew requires time, dedication, and some skill. 3) Longer-distance races. Uusually Mashnee will race in one or more overnight races, which will sail around Mass Bay (e.g. from Marblehead to Provincetown and back). 4) Longer trips. Mashnee has traveled up to Maine for the Classic Boat race series and then cruising; there is an overnight delivery to and from Maine. You can sign up for any and all these sails.
How long are the trips? Most bluewater trips are short afternoon or evening sails, the shortest of which are usually about 3-4 hours long. Day-long, overnight and weekend sails are common. Usually once or twice each season, a captain will take her up to Maine, or down to Martha’s Vineyard for a week or so. The length of each trip will be announced beforehand by the captain.
What about seasickness? Check the marine forecast before the trip. Most people don’t get seasick in 1-2 foot waves, but 4 foot waves or more can make even our most experienced skippers queasy. If you know that you get seasick easily, let your captain know and he or she may choose a different course or destination to accommodate you with flatter seas.
To prevent seasickness before the trip, avoid alcohol and get plenty to eat and plenty of sleep the day before the trip. On the day of the trip avoid caffeine and stay well hydrated. If you have seasickness medication, take it before you set sail. During the trip, drink plenty of water and eat frequent small snacks instead of a few big meals. Keep your eyes on the horizon and avoid going down below. If you start getting sick, let your captain know and move to the downwind side of the boat.
More information about seasickness and its prevention can be found in the following articles:
What should I wear? Wear comfortable clothing that protects you from the sun. A hat and sunglasses are recommended. It can get chilly out on the water, especially after dark. Check the weather forecast for the day of your sail and assume that it will be 15-20 degrees colder than that out on the water. So bring a sweater and/or a light jacket even on hot summer days. Several layers of clothing work best because the temperature can change quite drastically. If the weather forecast calls for rain, you should bring a waterproof jacket or other foul-weather gear.
While on board, wear comfortable shoes with non-marking soles. For multi-day trips or trips where you will go ashore, bring both boat shoes and shore shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not recommended aboard the boat, especially for novice sailors, as there are many fittings on the deck on which one can easily stub toes. Do not wear black-soled shoes, even if they are touted as ‘non-marking’, as they will mar the white deck.
You say boat shoes. Do I really need a fancy pair of boat shoes? No, you don’t need anything fancy. The reason for boat shoes is to a) protect your feet, and b) to protect the boat from getting scratched by dirt and gravel from the street, which significantly cuts down on the amount of maintenance and cleaning we have to do. Any shoes that are soft-soled and non-marking are fine—just scrub them clean between walking on the street and getting on the boat.
What else should I bring? Food, water, sunscreen, and a hat. You’ll stay warmer, be more alert, be more resistant to seasickness and generally have a better time if you’re well fed, so bring something to eat, even on short trips. Bring plenty of water as well. A good rule of thumb for hydration is one gallon of water per person per 24-hour period. For longer trips, check with your captain, as they may be planning to provision the boat for the whole crew. There is an icebox and cabinets for storing food.
Feel free to bring a camera or binoculars. Reading material and playing cards or other games are good for multi-day trips.
How often can I sail on Mashnee? You may sign up for trips as often as you like, but keep in mind that trips are usually over-subscribed.
When selecting crew for a sailing trip, the captain usually likes to have one or two experienced sailors aboard. The captains will try to give everyone a chance to sail during the season, so if you weren’t selected at first, please sign up for other trips. Please do not sign up unless you are sure you can make it. If you need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible, that way people who are on the waiting list can have the opportunity to take your place.
People who sail often on Mashnee are expected help in the maintenance of the boat. A loose rule of thumb is that for every three trips that you sail, you should come to at least one work party. Work parties will be announced on the bluewater mailing list. Peruse the list of tasks, then talk to the captains about what you can do to help keep her shipshape and seaworthy.
Can I bring friends or family? Yes, if they have a valid MIT sailing card. Keep in mind that Mashnee trips are often oversubscribed and skippers need to pick crews with the right balance of experience.
How do I know what’s going on with bluewater sailing? The main ways of staying up-to date are via the MIT Sailing calendar (look for the bluwater events) and the bluewater mailing list, for which you should sign up.
Can I become bluewater crew? Absolutely. We offer many training sessions and sails throughout the season, and are always looking for bluewater crew. You can also become more involved by volunteering for workparties to clean and maintain the boat. We are always looking for skippers as well; if you think you can be a skipper talk to any of the current bluewater skippers.
Can I become a Bluewater skipper? Yes. We look for people who are skilled sailors, interested in working with crews that range from brand-new to experienced, and willing to pitch in with the work of keeping the boat running. If this sounds like you, come sailing, get involved with maintenance, and talk to us!
Please see the Bluewater Skipper Rating page for full details on what it takes to be rated as a bluewater skipper.