Appledore Tall Ships - BaySail

Windward Bound: FAQ

For many of you sailing on the Appledore will be completely different from anything you have ever done before. To give you an idea of what to expect we have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Q: Where are we going?
A: This will be wilderness trip. We mostly go to wilderness locations, uninhabited islands, parks and the occasional small town or city. Our destinations are always flexible to take advantage of favorable wind and weather. When we stop and anchor we can row the ship's tender to shore. It is rare that we go to towns or marina docks. You will not need to bring much money to spend in stores. Some trips we will not stop near a store at all.

Q: Do we sail at night?
A: Most nights we will anchor. There are times that we may sail all night but this is only under certain circumstances.

Q: Is there a shower on board?
A: No. There are billions of gallons of fresh water in the lakes that can be used to keep clean. We can soap and shampoo when we swim, or even shower with a bucket while the boat is sailing along. It feels great on the hot afternoons.

Q: Who cooks?
A: There is not a cook on board. We rotate the cooking duties. Everyone will help out in the galley every other day. There are three meals served each day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus dessert and snacks.

Q: What is Watch and what do we do during watch?
A: Watch is the time we are on duty to help sail the ship. As a trainee you will be a full part of the crew and will be involved in all duties that you are capable of. Including sail handling, navigation, steering, lookout, etc.

Q: What can we do in our free time when not on watch?
A: Reading, taking pictures, napping, climbing, rope crafts, fishing or whatever you'd like.

Q: Will I get seasick?
A: Maybe. If the weather is rough you may get seasick, but lots of people do not get affected at all. If you are sick do not worry, though it may be very unpleasant it will not cause you any harm and as we are anchored most nights it will not last long. There are many treatments for seasickness. Here are some: looking at the horizon, nibbling ginger, singing, staying busy, steering, taking a motion sickness pill or going to sleep in your bunk.

Q: What animals will we see?
A: On previous trips we have seen deer, otters, geese, ducks, muskrats, loons, cormorants, turns, bats, fish, crayfish, frogs and turtles, just to name a few.

Q: What is heeling?
A: When the sails fill it is natural for a sailboat to lean a bit to one side, to heel.

Q: What are the evening activities?
A: Hiking and exploring on shore, campfires on shore, games, learning knots and making rope crafts like bracelets, fishing, learning sailing skills, making dessert. Being in the cabin together as a group in the evening is one of our favorite times.