Guests




Dear friends,

Please read carefully...

We look forward to seeing you, sharing adventures and our lifestyle with you. We want you to join in the fun of taking a turn at the wheel, navigating, cooking, fishing, and relaxing with a book, and/or your favorite beverage.

 Warning; We 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. 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.


 You can expect that no one goes hungry, we pack as much variety of great food, drinks, and snacks.

 When planning your trip with us, you need to plan in some flexibility.  You will only be able to choose one or the other: where or when, because weather greatly influences both. Because of this, we never allow the calendar to drive us when nature is not cooperating with a safe passage.

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, but storage space is limited. You wouldn’t want to make your roller bag your bed buddy taking up your precious living space. 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.

Sy Hayat has 2 sleeping cabins (bedrooms),  2 heads (bathrooms), 2 settee areas (one seating area with a table), a galley (the kitchen), covered steering station, a dinghy which can also be used by anyone should it warrant accommodations off the main vessel while we are on the water...

Water:
As yet we do not have a “Water Maker”. 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.

Power:
While onboard, you can recharge your electronic devices using either 12v (DC) or 220v (AC.) Remember to bring your charger.

Heads:
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 [first thing!] when you arrive...
The aft head has an [electric] water flush toilet, 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...]  
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 press a button for 20-30 seconds to flush the toilet. We provide toilet paper small plastic bags to contain paper waste, and odorless baby wipes. All this goes into a small trash container.
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.”


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

Gear and clothing considerations:
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 bed sheets (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...

We do not have PFDs in child or small young adult sizes so we ask that each of our light guests bring a well fitting (and comfortable!) PFD.  Please Note: All PFDs must be "US Coast Guard [USCG] Approved". [That will be printed on the inside of the PFD.] This is crucial! Otherwise we can be cited and fined.

Loaner Binoculars:
We have a pair of binoculars.
Packing List Suggestions: 
Remember to pack everything you bring in a small, soft duffle or frameless backpack.
  • 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?
  • Frogg Toggs Firebelly Jacket
  • Toadskinz Bib Pant
  • Excellent [expensive] foul weather gear recommendations?
  • Stormr [not a typo...], Strykr designs... [jackets and bibs...]
  • Ultimate foul weather/water rescue outerwear? 
  • Drysuits... - Kokatat, Ocean Rodeo Boss
  • 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 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...
  • We tend to be barefoot/slippers/socks when down below, but shoes are highly recommended [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;
  • We find that some shoes made for the rocketball or basketball indoor court snickers have very sticky soles.



Personal Items:
  • Photo ID [and Passport, etc. is required]
  • PFD [Personal Flotation Device; Re-read above for details...]
  • Small, dependable flashlight and/or headlamp [don't forget spare batteries...]
  • Water bottle
  • Earplugs you can comfortably sleep with
  • Sunglasses
  • Don't forget a floating strap or your preferred glasses (hat) 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.
  • Any electronic gaming devices must have a mute button or accommodate earbuds.
  • Toiletries
  • Unscented or very low scent shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotions.
  • 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.
  • Fishing License [if needed]

We appreciate your consideration for NOT bringing any of the following items onboard:
  • Pets [unless it has received prior approval from the admiral...]
  • Electric appliances [e.g., hair dryers, curling irons, waffle makers, etc. These put an unnecessary load on our 12 volt battery bank]
  • Nail polish/Nail polish remover [i.e., anything with solvents...]
  • Hairspray
  • Perfume - any kind [this also prevents you from being the bug magnet...
  • Scented shampoos, soaps, after shave, and body products
  • Any prescription drugs or substances that aren't in the original prescription bottle with your name on it...
  • Tobacco products
  • Anything that people smoke [We are a non-smoking vessel inside and out...]
  • Please note: Even though some areas may have legalized cannabis, it is still not allowed onboard- likewise for any other 'illegal substances.
  • Why? [Aside from our smoke-free policy...] US flagged vessels are always subject to Federal laws [enforced by the US Coast Guard (USCG)] 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 sleeping in it at a marina.
  • 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.
  • We mention this not to complain, but to make sure you are forewarned...
  • Thank you for understanding!

What about communications while on the boat?
Our private contact information document [which we will share with you...] details all the methods of communicating while on SyHayat - including when we are out of range of cell and WiFi. [Yes; voice, SMS, and email are always possible using our onboard satellite comms...] once we get one...

Suggested prerequisites: 
For your own comfort we recommend you learn how to properly: 
  • Video with more details and worthwhile considerations
  • Tie 2 knots and 1 hitch: (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!)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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...
  • We always provide location and direction instructions in relation to the boat
  • 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 under the pilothouse settee..

Even more extra credit?



Most importantly, pack your can-do attitude and expectations for having fun! However long you stay with us, your time will be filled with fun and new experiences. You will not be a guest, but will become one of us, part of our family. 

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