Joy Smith's Blog

“I’d like to ignore the subject of garbage, but it keeps getting in the way. Trash is one item that none of us packs for our trip; we manufacture it as we go along. Most days a nearly full trash bag will be sharing its bulk and its smelly little self with you and your crew belowdecks.”

Collect trash in sturdy plastic bags and keep them in a well-ventilated area or in an outdoor locker. Compacted boxes and cans will consume less space.

Be aware of marine dumping regulations. Do not throw trash overboard, especially plastic and non-biodegradable items.

Find out where and how to dispose trash and recyclable bottles and cans when in harbor.

Many small harbors will not take trash unless it is separated. To avoid separating trash at the Dumpster, establish two containers: one for garbage and one for recyclables.

Review from The ENSIGN, the official magazine of the United States Power Squadron

Be a top-rate first mate
The Perfect First Mate, by Joy Smith, Sheridan House Inc., Paperback, 240 pages, $16.50

“Joy Smith became the perfect first mate the hard way—by learning from scratch. In her book, she provides new first mates with practical, time-proven advice that takes the grief out of boating and makes it relaxing and pleasurable. Smith and her husband started with a small boat and progressed through a series of larger boats to their current Freedom 45 yacht, Joy For All Seasons, so she has helpful hints for those with all types of boats from pocket cruisers to spacious yachts.

In her book. Smith covers provisioning, storing food, bedding, wet and dry clothes, avoiding undesirable odors, the stove, the ice chest, and the essential head. She also discusses cooing on board in calm and rough seas, entertaining guests on a rainy weekend, choosing foul weather gear and boating shoes, avoiding and /or surviving seasickness, and the desirability of having pets on board.

Smith, who has many years of boating experience, stresses the need for the first mate to become comfortable with the boat. She recommends that the first mate take USPS boating courses and perhaps a hands-on course given for and taught by women. The first mate needs to be comfortable handling the wheel or the tiller, reading a chart, and boating in fog. Docking or catching a mooring is always a challenge, and Smith provides some helpful hints to lessen the anxiety connected with this task. And, most important of all, she discusses how best to relate to the captain, especially during times of stress.

All in all, The Perfect First Mate is a book that all first mates can learn from—whether they are novices or old hands at boating. This would make a great holiday gift from the captain. First mates, if your captain is not inclined to read reviews, highlight this one and leave it where he will see it.

If that doesn’t work and your husband needs more than a hint, buy it yourself and tell him he gave it to you. You will both find that the knowledge contained in this book will make your boating experiences much more pleasurable.”