Do You Drink Too Much? 🍸🍺 | Casting Off with Followtheboat 023
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- Опубліковано 25 лют 2023
- Do sailboat cruisers drink more than the rest of the population? In this podcast, we talk about why Jamie gave up the booze and how this has affected our lives afloat. Along with the positives, we reveal the negative side to no longer being a boozer.
Do you enjoy a tipple, and would you ever consider giving it up?
Don't forget to add your questions, answers and stories in the comments. Or send a tweet to followtheboat and you'll grab our attention.
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Have you ever considered cutting down the grog, maybe even giving up altogether? Or, like Liz, are you quite happy about your relationship with booze? If you don't drink, do you think people leave you off their invitation list?
I appreciate this honest conversation. I hope this episode is watched by a record number of sailors. Drunken sophomoric behavior is rampant in areas of the sailing community. Thank you for your courage and honesty. I'm proud Jamie has been successful with his sobriety. 👏
Cheers! And I mean 'cheers' without the clinking of bottles. Drinking among sailors is a problem. One of the most debauched scenes I witnessed was the lead-up to the Atlantic ARC, but as I was part of it I won't judge 🤭
I wonder if it is "cruiser boozers" as much as senior boozers.
I happen to live in a community of about 300 seniors-only homes and I have found that alcohol drinking is the pastime sport. One neighbor has shattered the *SAME* ankle *_THREE_* times (each requiring surgery) when she drank too much I read an interesting article on seniors and alcoholism and it was shocking. So many of us live alone and we drink out of boredom and habit.
As far as sailing a boat, I think of it this way: If you had a flight and your saw your captain downing even a single beer, how safe would you feel as the plane lifted off? How about if he was sipping a piña colada as he was checking that the aircraft was fit for flight. FAA regulations say "8 hours, bottle to throttle" and my personal mantra when I was a pilot was "24 hours, bottle to throttle...no exceptions"
Because I never knew if tomorrow would be that CAVU (Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited) day, my rule pretty well shut down my drinking. I found that I loved flying more than I loved drinking. YMMV
Hey Bob! When you find a passion in which alcohol doesn't help, it's a great way of keeping off the booze. When doing street photography I can march hours around a town or city in the heat, and while there is no regulatory body monitoring my consumption, the idea of knocking back a few drinks while doing this just doesn't work for me.
Liz here - I have a feeling it's more of a 'seniors' problem, but I can't back it up with facts. The main reason for this is looking at what's happened in the UK and seeing that socialising in pubs seems to have almost disappeared for young people. Pubs are disappearing left, right and centre. Times are a-changing!
Any friend that doesn't want to be around you when you aren't drinking isn't really a friend.
How true this turned out to be, Steven 🤷
"I'll drink to that" is very true. In our western world, it is normalised. And it is not only sailors. End of the week, birthday, new year, any excuse, and here we go again.
I woke up one day with the realisation than my stroke may have been avoided by not drinking in the first place. I have been a binge drinker for my whole long life, and I stopped dead... before it was too late!
Like "Clarity", before me, and you, I do not miss it one bit. And I think clearly, like a veil has lifted from over my brain.
Thanks for your story, Daniel, and I'm really pleased you managed to knock it on the head (before it knocked you on the head).
If you are compelled to ask the question, the answer is yes.
A very good point, Russell.
What a great podcast. Been a sub for a few years now and took some of your advice when purchasing my first 'real' boat 2 yrs ago so thanks for that. I never really comment on UA-cam but this video has hit home somewhat. As an ex- semi-pro darts player I got into sailing to reduce the alcohol consumption! I am now owner/skipper of a 36ft sailing boat called 'Sobriety' and NEVER allow drinking whilst on passage.
When we drop the anchor we put the kettle on for a cup of tea. We cannot afford to drink all the time 😄BTW if people do not invite you out because you do not drink, then you are not missing much. People should invite you out because they enjoy your company, not because you are going to slip into the gutter with them.
This is an important point and not something I'd considered before. I know I am guilty of not inviting people out because I knew they didn't drink. Now I know!
Another important subject! I gave up drinking 5 years ago. The best decision I ever made. my brain feels clearer. It gave me more confidence with decisions I am making. People always asking why I don’t drink and usually continue on the line « I don’t drink much ».. as if they suddenly felt obligated to justify their drinking. I don’t care if friends and colleagues around me drink, as long as we are not on a boat. anyway in « party », I might leave earlier because at some point the conversations are absolutely not interesting.
Yes! Exactly this, Sylvie! You've just described my experience and sentiments precisely. I wanted to delve a bit deeper into people's reactions (but was worried about sounding all peachy) because I was really surprised by them. The response 'I've cut down' or 'I don't drink as much' was the most popular response, often by people who would then proceed to get shit-faced 🤷
I was in the Peace Corps in the Pacific in the late 70's. Just loved being out there. I've missed it all this time, and plan to set sail out there, now my career is nearly finished. Been sailing all my life so this will be a real dream if I can manage it. My point here is that I would have just stayed out there happily, but I began to notice more and more of my contemporaries were drunk more and more of the time.
I also began to notice the conversations were becoming more drunk and stupid.
I decided that if I stayed out there a few more years, the sun and the drink would start to rot my brain, too.
So I got responsible, came home, had a career and family and drank responsibly . . Most of the time. In the last few years, my consumption has just sort of dwindled to the point where just being in the cockpit at anchor in a lovely sheltered cove, with a beautiful sunset and ONE beer does the trick.
Sort of in the same boat. Was a heavy drinker back in my early twenties and thirties. Now it takes me over 2hrs to consume a can of beer and my first beer could be opened any time between 2 and 6 o'clock. And I'll consume 2 to 2.5 beers in a day. Always have a GOOD bottle of Scotch and a couple bottles of wine around that get mostly used for cooking but will sometimes have a glass/shot.
Do not think I over drink but some do. I also never drink when with people that do have a problem with alcohol as I have had too many friends die because of alcohol
If your loved ones think you have a drinking problem, you have a drinking problem.
I never understood this thinking until I quit myself, John. Now I see it clear as day and my loved ones were right.
Hi Jamie and Liz, this is Keith from Just Dance. Just came across this video. I still remember our sessions in Belitung, Sabana Cove and Anambas Islands. Lockdown intensified the already heavy alcohol consumption, and while it was fun, I also realised my addiction was getting way out of hand, and not to mention my health was taking a good beating. So like you, I have given up all alcohol about half a year ago, and smoking more than a year ago. Feel so much better in all aspects, but it was the financial savings that really surprised me. I quite enjoy this new life and find the once in awhile cravings slowly disappearing.
Hi Keith. Great to hear from you and even better to hear that you've given up all those vices. You were a bigger drinker than me so this is good news. I still haven't touched a drop and don't miss it. Watch out for those anxiety levels though. I went through a rough patch last year and a recovering alcoholic I met told me rising anxiety levels is quite common after quitting the booze. Life definitely changes when going sober and I find myself excusing myself early on the evening as everyone else starts tucking into the beer! The money and hassle saved from not drinking is quite remarkable, isn't it? Hope you are keeping well otherwise.
Way to go I found my sailing got better when i could think clear. i am a racer so sharp wit is important and have noticed when i put the plug in the jug my performance drastically improved along with the quality of my life in general. congrats again on go alcohol free Bill SV Rangatira
Cheers, Bill. It's amazing how drunk sailors get the night before a regatta or race, but I'm guilty of that too. I used to argue that a stiff breeze would clear a hangover 🤷
I stopped letting booze control my life about tenyears ago , true my social life took a hit but did I really need to hang out with people that were so shallow as to not support my abstinance . I certainly found out who my real friends were . For a self confessed control freak it surely is the best way to go . Fair winds to you both , Mac .
Hi Mac. I've been stunned at the amount of people who got in touch to say they experienced the same thing. Is quitting booze really that socially unacceptable?
Thanks for the conversation. I am always concerned about the frequency and amount of booze. I love focusing on living by experiencing all that life offers. I love your photography. I think your photos and videos are as good as National Geographic.
Thank you for the kind words, Dana. Booze can get in the way of other things like life experiences, and I was fed up with it doing that.
We are picking up our new to us Sailboat this coming week…to begin our journey. Btw. You were the first channel and first episode we watched about 4-5 yrs ago--reasons not to live on a boat. Here we are…finally moving forward. We are both “drinkers” but we don’t drink drinks with alcohol. Lol. So we will join you for a juice bar, coffee or smoothie….anytime. I don’t get why it is such a big deal….but we are not in jr high anymore so we can push back on peer pressure. Live your life….and good on you for giving up something that was not working for you….and good on you Liz for supporting the decision.
Thank you, Christine. Yes, peer pressure should not be an issue at our age. Good on you for making the leap aboard! We're very excited for you and look forward to sharing a juice with you on the high seas somewhere. Peace and fair winds to you ✌️⛵
My wife cannot drink (medical reasons) and when we go partying people cannot understand and almost force drinks into her hand. It's not just sailors that drink too much. When I was working in Pakistan people found it hard to believe that I could go a day / a week without a drink. BTW, for 35 years I ran a dry boat. Keep up the good work.
I sympathise with your wife. Back in the UK I was fortunate that only one of my old school mates was forcing beer on me after declining.
Possibly the richest podcast you've had in terms of content, plumbing the depths of a murky -- and for some, a difficult -- subject. I would agree with the fellow who said habits are the enemy.
Here I'll nominate a second group of heavy boozers: 98.4365 percent of the Anglo-American expats in Morocco: from Tangier to Meknes to Fez to Marrakech, ALL somehow self-medicated (usually the wet stuff). Best regards to you both. Great talk!
Thanks, Daniel. And yes, I think this is a difficult subject for some, proven by the weird responses I got when telling them I'd quit.
So refreshing, I had the same problem with smoking cigarettes and cigars and then I just quit and now I could care less if I ever had one, so cheers to you Jamie for quitting the drinking😊
Cheers! Yes, vaping is the next thing to quit, although I'm glad I got off the fags.
Congratulations to you both for addressing this serious subject. It’s difficult to attend a group gathering. If I drink it’s one and done because I’m the designated driver
I can last two hours at a push, Jim. Back when I drank I'd often be the last man standing, normally spouting the most amount of bollocks.
The reason I didn't chime in on this subject earlier is that I have never been much of a drinker. I will sometimes have a beer after sailing, but usually it's just to be social. During lock down, I may have gone through a case of beer. I know several people who always have beer on their boat, but I only have some if I expect to have guests.
Good self control, Jeff. It sounds like you're one of the fortunate 'take it or leave it' types.
Great discussion - thoroughly enjoyed hearing all sides of that question. Aboard Miss Foxy, we do not drink while under passage (my hard rule) as accidents happen when things get tricky at sea when alcohol is involved, plain and simple. We do have a safely-anchored bevvie when arriving at a new anchorage but very rarely get properly drunk on board while at anchor (in a marina, sure). I am always cognizant of the fact that I (as skipper) need to be alert and able when/if something happens during the night. And yes, we have dragged anchor at night in a gale (we all have) or had someone drag onto us or had katabatic winds pipe up and violently swing the boat on anchor and clear heads have to deal with these situations. We love a nice wine with a properly cooked dinner on board and a beer or three before that but most certainly not every day. We don't drink every day on land anyway (just weekends, typically) so why do it at sea? If I can be so bold...I think Jamie looks healthier, slimmer and brighter since quitting. That worked well for him (maybe not for others) so I'll join his mates in saying, "Good onya Jamie!" and I'd hang out with you any old time, dry or not!
Sounds like you have a sensible balance, Bill. When I drank wine I could easily polish off a bottle myself, sometimes two (especially if drinking as a spritzer). Wine was one drink I could handle, but I stopped drinking red wine in the tropics because it just made me thirsty and sleepy, hence the spritzers. But boy is it expensive in Asia! Maybe that's a good thing. In the UK you could pick up a half decent bottle for under a tenner, and often special offers on multiple bottles. Easy access to booze, and its cheap price, is perhaps one of the problems in the west.
My earliest memory of driving a boat was Couer'd laine lake, (1961). My grandfather told me I should drive the boat my dad was too drunk. Maybe an earlier memory in Utah lake where my dad had me drive before, same reason?? I'm honored you read my comment. My habits are going to be the death of me.
Your comment struck a chord because I'd identified 'habit' as being my problem. Always love hearing from you 😃👍
Drunken behavior is common also in apres ski in the pub .... and golfing (during and after) camping and what else. Thanks for your honesty. My wife and I both enjoyed our daily afternoon beer and wine .... until the new year when we decided to only have 2 drinks each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. .... Result .... we have saved close to 20 dollars a day ,,, 4 days a week ,,,,,320 bucks a month . If we keep it up, we might be able to pay ourselves a decent vacation Thanks for sharing your stories..... we are fans
Appreciate the feedback, Gilbert. I was genuinely surprised at how much I spent on booze, and this was just beer. I think Liz had other ideas about where that saved money was going to be spent though!
Brilliant, thanks for sharing Jamie its been quite enlightening hearing about your personal experiences with drinking and anxiety. Interestingly, and no evidence base to this comment, just personal experience but I found that I had a tendency to anxiety and so therefore drank, when I have cut down in the past and then had a drink I found that the anxiety came after I had been drinking. I keep thinking that I can flirt with alcohol and have one occasionally, birthday, celebrations etc. but quickly I find I slip back into it so I have finally given up the flirt and focussed on being a non drinker. I am much happier doing this and feel so much better about heading off cruising being a sober sailor. It has definitely been one of the things I don't like about sailing and I used to feel like 'I had to drink' to fit in, but not anymore. You lovely people talking about this issue so candidly is really helpful.
I love Liz that you are so honest about how you could see that Jamie was drinking too much. Thank you. Its great with partners to be able to really tell each other what we are feeling and to request that they be careful if we are involved, as in going in a dinghy etc with someone drunk. It has been a great leveller for my husband and I that he understands my reluctance to do something that we 'would' like to do together and that I am not interested in endless sundowners and also he has learnt how to support me if I am anxious, supporting each other is fabulous and I feel so much more confident now.
Finally, I agree with you, yep I think people on boats drink way too much, and I found living as an expat in lots of countries, expats drink way too much, and again, I am an Aussie and we certainly drink way too much. I think however some of the younger cruisers seem to be setting a very different example of cruising without alcohol or certainly very rarely is it displayed.
Cheers to sobriety. :)
Thank you for the great comment, Wendy. Great to hear that you have the support of your husband and that he's there for those moments of anxiety. Good to hear your confidence is growing. 'Fitting in' can be difficult when drinking is the main focus but I got over that pretty quickly. On the odd occasion in Lombok when there have been other westerners around, I tend to duck out early. Previously, whenever I wasn't involved in an evening of drinking, I used to think I was missing out. Now I quite welcome the early retirement from the night's proceedings, or going off and doing photography instead, and know that I am not missing out on anything.
When someone who loves you says you drink too much, listen to them.
Wise words indeed, Wayne. I think Liz had alluded to it many times but she never pushed it.
You dudes are so connected
Great discussion, I can relate.
Appreciate the feedback, Michael.
Ahoy!
I quit for 21 years. Modest drinking is a lifestyle now. Great luck and glad you got a handle on it. Wink to Liz!
Cheers Jeff
Jamie's much happier without the booze and I barely drink alcohol at all these days. It's a different life! Congrats on the 21 years, and the modest drinking now. 👏👏👏 Liz 😘
Jamie, my husband and I are SO proud of you!!👏 Thank you both for your honesty!
Thank you for the kind words of encouragement, Janice 😃👍
Yeah Jamie, I know where you're coming from. When you habits handle you, then there's an issue.
Drinking while sailing......for me no. 😃👍👏👏👏🐻🌬⛵🌞
when is too much?
If you are the person drinking, by the 3rd drink your judgement is impaired. This is why 3 martini lunches were banned during business deals. So, by your 3rd drink you are no longer qualified to be the judge of what is too much.
If you are the person not drinking, observing the person drinking, if you aren't keeping a sharp eye on the volume they are drinking, you really don't know how much they have drunk. And, some people can drink considerably (hold their liquer) and you wouldn't know they have had too much to drink....
We know a few functioning alcoholics. If you didn't know them, you wouldn't know, but on the whole it doesn't take much to spot who's on that third, fourth or fifth drink. My problem was always conversation. When you're being talked 'at' and not 'to', you know they're well on their way.
@@followtheboat Good call!
Thanks!
As an adult child of an alcoholic and with a family of drinkers booze was never on my to do list. It ostracized me as well. That said I had always suffered with anxiety more so after Vietnam. I wonder if anxiety is a driver to obsess and consume to excess. I have more model airplanes than I should have or will ever use. Thank you for sharing. It takes courage and determination to change a behavior.
Quite possibly, Henry and, even worse, it's all happening subconsciously so the reasons for leaning on alcohol are disguised.
You don't get hangovers, cirrhosis, horrible arguments or stupid injuries from model airplanes.
@@davidlawrence8800 thanks for the thought David. Stupid does happen in model aircraft. Which usually requires the walk of shame with a garbage bag in hand. It happens. However, We do practice a level of safety that protects life and property.
I drank so I could get that walking through the boat while on passage, off balance type of dance. Maybe that is why drinking and sailing are similar, the unpredictable, off balance carnival ride of life when tossed.
Yes
You’re a lovely couple…CHEERS! 🍷
Thank you, Steve. You're not so bad yourself 😉
Great conversation, love the format.
Thanks, Brock 👍
just started watching this one...looks like a goody on an interesting subject
Okay really interested and going to listen to it tomorrow while walking the dog.
Let us know your thoughts.
Good on the both of you for broaching this subject that extends far outside of cruisers. During Covid lockdowns nearly all shops were mandated closed - BUT, govts still sanctioned all booze outlets could remain open - go figure and 'weed' shops in BC....$$$s to their coffers! Then there is this - human livers are not meant to be booze processing containers!!! - checking that thought out will provide very sobering reasons to cut back or stop completely.
COVID has a lot to answer for, but hopefully for some it gave time to reflect and think about that poor liver.
Nicotine is Very Difficult to Give Up . Hardest thing I have ever Done .
It really is. I believe that, pound for pound, it is the most addictive substance known to man.
I stopped drinking 3 years ago just before the pandemic. I only drank at weekends, but just tired of feeling awful the next day (2 or 3 beers would make my brain fog over for all the following day). I do find it difficult sometimes going out with a bunch of people who are drinking - but my trick is to drink alcohol free beer (or the new alco-free Guinness which is excellent) and people don't notice and comment so much. I tend to leave earlier than most.
If I am invited to someone's house for dinner - I am no longer shy about bringing my own alco-free along (can always play the responsible driver card).
Overall though; it is a measure of strong friendship when someone simply respects your decision and makes no fuss.
I am British; as a nation I think we have a rather unhealthy relationship with alcohol compared to much of the rest of Europe.
Sadly I have also seen many lives wasted by alcoholism, with terrible repercussions for families.
Ah, yes, that alco-free Guinness is exceptional! Maybe a tad sweeter than the real thing but otherwise utterly convincing and probably the best alcohol-free beer, along with Adnam's Ghostship, which is even available on tap. I'd love to see a draft version of the Guinness. As for the UK's relationship with alcohol, I concur. We don't seem to moderate like they do on the Continent and often wonder if it is climate-related.
@@followtheboat Yep I am Adnam's Ghostship man too. I do sail a bit too (crewing for others or on youth charity sail training boats). Enjoy the sober life; I am.
Two issues with alcohol/ recreational drugs and boats. The reduced capacity to think clearly and the long term damage. If the boat is your home then recreational drinking, whilst not underway, is a limited risk. The risk being it is a boat, things change and can do so quickly. You need to risk asses.
Long term excessive consumption is damaging. If you are capable of commanding a vessel at sea you should have the brains to know the damage you do to yourself. Your body, your choice.
I like your thinking about having the brains to command a vessel, Jonathan. I do know really heavy drinkers who still won't touch a drop when at sea. They know when and where to allow themselves to let go, and when to leave it.
I was in the Navy, we sailed to Midway Isl we moored on a long pier could not walk a straight line
Sealegs or booze, Greg 😉
I have two and half bottles of JD and I will likely still have them till summer when I may or may not have one night drinking and finish of the half bottle, then again I might just have coffee instead and still enjoy my night out, I'm one of those that can take it or leave it, my dad still likes a beer or 7 and brews his own ales by the gallon, when I was younger I used to try and keep up with the flow of drinks with my dad ( 14 pints a night ) and quite honestly failed badly, getting home and the toilet bowl was your friend for the night saying arrgh never again but you do of course, well several years of that and I had enough and basically quit drinking beers/ales and started with just one scotch whiskey with coke for the night sipping it carefully making it last the evening and found I could still have a good time without drinking to excess, now I can go for a year or more without having a single drink, btw I do like a glass of Lambrusco with Christmas dinner, I quit smoking almost 3 years ago and my sense of smell is mental, I can sniff out a smoker from a 1000 yards or if the car that goes by is a smoker driving it, like being a human blood hound :)
Good on you, Brian. You have the kind of balance and self control I wish I had. I like the idea of the odd drink here and there but I know once I have one snifter of single malt, I'll end up having five. And that's on my own. If I share the bottle, it had to be finished. Well done on quitting the fags. Your sense of smell and taste comes back tenfold, one reason why I think one puts on weight after quitting. Suddenly everything smells and tastes wonderful!
@@followtheboat If it's only one night then none for months then I think it's ok but if you have to force yourself not to drink the next night or weekend then best to just stay away from it, as mentioned in the video it is like an addiction if you can't self moderate or stop so basically life revolves around it, it is the first thing on the mind over anything else, as for food and putting on weight, well yes and no, my downfall is lack of exercise and sitting at the computer watching youtube vids all day, lower lumber spine pain doesn't help matters, it puts you off walking cause you know it will be painful, oh and I do most of the cooking as I have a je ne sais quoi making tasty meals, I get it from my Grandad, he was a good cook and made the best bread pudding I ever tasted.
What shall we do with the sober sailor early in the morning .........🎶
Drunk or sober, this sailor is still a grump early in the morning!
My wife told me to choose between the beer or her……I’ll miss my wife…
Boom tish!
Know so well what you mean about the restaurants that serve beer .. we are currently fitting out in Langkawi and i dont even consider eating in restaurants that wont serve beer .. its sad as we probably miss out a lot of good food .. but thats the way it is !
As you venture further afield you will get used to supplementing beer with juices and shakes. Or you'll just carry 30 cases of duty free like I used to!
I appreciate you guys!
We appreciate you watching and commenting 😃👍
A little late here but not cause I was hung over. No sober person has ever enjoyed a drunk. Moderation is always in the gullet of the beholder of course. TBH when I was sailing full time I had a little rum handy near the helm. Medicinal tyvm 😬 But a rough sea to settle the nerve a bit, the end of a safe passage, a new anchor for the evening or sweet sunset. A knock or two would always do. The quickest way to shut my socialization skills down however is to introduce a loud, obnoxious, unruly drunk. Far too many sailors leave a bad taste in the mouths of those residents in ports we all enjoy visiting unfortunately. By all means drink and be jolly, but if you can’t maintain some bit of decorum maybe it’s time to quit.
a ½ litre of wine or a cold tall boy of Heineken with supper will always be delicious....same with an ounce or two of nice scotch when the sun goes down on a nice day
fun fact - you'll definitely be detained in Canadian waters if any of the Mountie, Coast Guard, Fisheries Patrol or other law enforcement people stop you while you're under power and you blow anything close to 0.08 (alcohol/blood volume) into a breathalyzer machine
Getting past the idea of trying to moderate is amazing to me. Myself, I never wanted one beer. What is the point. I want a case so I can get a real proper buzz going. 33 years ago I gave it up. Good on you for saying you had enough.
Wow, 33 years 😮 Good going, Mike
I am on the larger island to your west (Bali), and have been following since your refit.
Hoping to get a chance to bump into you while you are in the area.
Having worked offshore for most of my life it was always a "dry" environment however on returning home it was a month long semi drunk fog until I went back to work.
Takes a lot of control to stay sober Jamie so congrats to you.
Hi Peter. Thanks for getting in touch, and for the words of encouragement. As you probably saw from last night's weather we have no intention of heading west just yet! However our plans are always written in the sand so if we head your way we'll be sure to give you a shout. Here's hoping Bali is a little drier today. I noticed even our decks are going green with mould 😮
My experience almost exactly as yours; but I found it near impossible to socialize without it after lockdown ended. not my friends fault but mine. Fantastic weight loss program tho lol
How are you now, Jo? Do you need the booze to socialise?
So far yes…my next effort will be to address this weakness. Definitely a mind over matter challenge I agree with you that the physical bit is actually quite easy.
Fabulous conversation. Congratulations on quitting.
Thank you, Edgar 👍
OMG.......Liz, are you and my wife related.....speak them same words numerous times. But me being an stubborn ole bloke can't translate. But, loved you guys bantering...Cheers.
Cheers, Dennis. Lots of banter and blathering aboard Esper!
A very brave video to make. I don’t and my wife has the occasional glass of wine. We have been cruising for 6-7 yrs and we find that the boozers stick to the boozers and enjoy talking Bollox and the sober brigade also gravitate towards non or light drinkers who have interesting and constructive conversations.
I think all the conversations start well whoever it is with, but the drunk conversations deteriorate into total bollocks very quickly.
Good on ya mate! And a lot of weight is gone as well 🙂
I'm no longer stumbling back to the boat and making dinner at 11pm, which was a major contributor.
Interesting topic. I don’t drink and am in the minority. Yes Jamie, going out with drunk friends is boring.
I can manage two hours tops, Deb. It's funny how, when you're drunk, you don't realise how much you've changed. It's funnier now witnessing this 'from the other side' but yeah, only for so long.
Thank you for your honesty. Do you think it is a culture infusion or is it a combination of anxiety and depression that sailors are inconceivably unable to comprehend and make a conscious decision to change their ways, so to speak.
Culture has a lot to do with it, but perhaps many don't feel they need to or, in some cases, don't realise they should consider it. It helps having honest people around who can be frank with you, rather than encouraging bad habits.
Hi, another brave topic! But good to get the discussion going and people can see what's excessive from what others are drinking I guess. Personally I like a glass of wine with a meal and a beer too! But don't drink when sailing strangely. Guess I might be drinking when nothing else to do and getting into a habit as Jamie mentioned. 😬
Habit. It's all about habit, and I'm fortunate I had Liz there poking me about my habit.
I lived in the Middle East for a long time and one day i found myself explaining to a non drinking Muslim friend "No, we don't drink every day! Only when we're happy. Or sad. Or excited. Or depressed. Or..." and I realised that we have an excuse for every occasion!
This is so true, Bryan
Lol….the video just ran the bit about the rum fund…..can I have what is given there? Lol.
Hehe, I've officially handed the Rum Fund over to Liz 🤭
30 years ago in my 20s, I used to drink a moderate amount of beer. I have since become allergic to shellfish (the clearing agent they used to remove sediment from beer and wines is ground invertebrate shells, like clams, crabs, and other water bugs) So I am by proxy allergic to beer and wine. My doctors have recommended cannabis for my neurological condition though, and that would be a problem sailing.
after my cobra bite in 92, I started developing a few allergies.
I agree that drinking was, for me, a quick fix for social anxiety since I was a teen. A "social lubricant" is what I remember hearing, and I don't remember much of the later 80s and early 90s. (late teens into my 20s). I have since replaced drinking with other social "habits" for breaking the ice, like being overly humorous, or using music to loosen the anxiety.
Good for you, not drinking. The reasons people drink is a very deep subject. Difficult to discuss around people that do drink. Everyone has reasons/excuses why they do.
Hey Robert. I'd like to think most drink to enjoy and relax, but based on my own experience that can get out of hand quite quickly. One thing was certain though, I was fully conscious of how much I was drinking and had no excuses other than habit, so I did something about it.
I have 2Y7M sobriety; alcohol ruined my life. I was drinking more and more and I couldn't stop for any extended period of time, I eventually was injured on my jobsite and I really started to spiral out of control. As an aspiring sailor, it is sickening to see all of these UA-cam channels abusing alcohol; virtually EVERY channel glorifies drinking and it is off-putting about the sailing community. I ask anyone who thinks they are fine, to quit for a month; Easy? Try two months... Maybe thats pretty challenging, how about 6 months...? NO ONE who drinks will go 6 months without alcohol, because the addiction is there, it's just not prominent yet.
Thanks for your comment. I guess those other UA-cam channels are younger. If we were vlogging when we first started out there may have been more booze in our videos. These days, when we go out to socialise in the evenings, I tend to leave the camera at home because I want some 'me' time, away from UA-cam. Viewers don't need to see every single moment of our lives, especially when drunk. I'd only drop the camera in the water anyway!
Since living aboard I drink a lot less. Beer is more expensive, harder to find and harder to get onto the boat. I don't get blotto but I will have a beer at anchor or on a mooring.
Sounds like a good balance, Colin 🍻
Oh, and I don't drink coffee and it's not possible to get a decent cup of tea in bars and restaurants.
Question mark was a typo.
Bourré un jour,
Bourré pour toujours.
Should I translate... ;)
Is this a French saying, Florentin? It's quite apt, thank you!
I find that Beer is a soporific, and always gets me drunk and tired quicker than a similar strength Lager. Alcohol generally is not a problem for me though, but I shouldn't drink when I am overly stressed by life, because it will not relax me then
Hi Chris. One thing I noticed when quitting was how I slept much better, which in turn helped with relaxing properly.
My personal rule is that the beer comes out when the hook goes down. On overnight passages, one sundowner. But as I am coming to realize, I'm very lucky in that I can have 1 and stop, or 2 and stop. When I'm skippering, the weight of command suppresses my desire for booze.
I have relatives and friends who can't moderate, so I certainly empathize with your dilemma, and your strength of character to come to the decision?
Cheers, David. Yep, some people are blessed with good self control. I envy you 😉
So that's the reason you look so good
Are you referring to Liz and her tipple of whisky, Allan 😃
@@followtheboat Of course 😄
As a couple soon starting our cruising life, this is something we have discussed ourselves, so the topic is timely and of interest to us. I can identify a lot with what Jamie experienced during and after lockdown and my wife can certainly identify with Liz'. It is our hope we can follow Liz' path of moderation and avoid the extremes of Jaimie's. Regardless, your open discussion is thought provoking and helpful, so thanks again!
Hi Daniel, thanks for the comment. Sitting now on the other side of the fence I found your use of the word 'extreme' interesting. Having quit booze it doesn't feel that way at all. The idea of quitting drink may seem extreme if you're a drinker but I don't miss it, so I'm indifferent to it now. Good luck on your adventures and enjoy your first sundowner at anchor!
@@followtheboat sorry, the word "extreme" was not appropriate. One could argue quiting alcohol is the less extreme option. Trying to say we will see if we can drink socially in moderation, rather than either quiting on the one hand or drinking excessively on the other.
@@danielcallinan5629 no worries, I knew what you meant 😃 Main thing is to just enjoy yourselves.
Why did you have to quit? Instead of just cut down to a couple of beers?
We explain this in great detail! Addictive personality with an inability to moderate. It's no big deal though, I don't miss it.
@@followtheboat ok so it's all or nothing. Got it. Admire your ability to just cold turkey quit. Well done 💯
If you guys are serious about health I urge you to look into nitric oxide. There are some docs on you tube that have quite a few videos on the subject.
Nitric or nitrous? One is a toxic pollutant, the other an anaesthetic gas, commonly known as laughing gas.
Isn't the nitrous variant the ones the kids are doing these days?
@@followtheboat Yes, it is very available as it is the best gas for whipping cream. It is sold in small cylinders about the size of your thumb as well as larger ones.
Jamie how much weight have you lost wow looking good well done
Hi Deborah! It's not all down to the booze. Check the first 30 seconds intro of last week's podcast on anxiety 😮
I don't know why but a few years ago I just lost the appetite for being drunk I like the taste of beer but I don't like being drunk I don't like the feeling of being so a good one on you and a good one on me
Well done, Fred. That's almost how I felt about it. Just got bored with the habit and felt like I wasn't getting anything out of it.
But, would you two have met without drinking?
Believe it or not, I was stone cold sober when I met Liz. She, on the other hand...
The sum of bad habits is constant - if u give up one there is another in line to take it's place...
Interesting, though I'm not sure I agree. When I think back to my bad habits in my 20s 😮🤦
When we were cruising, my husband didn't like to socialise with a couple who did not drink. He thought they were weird. During our time in Asia, we had to have our meals ashore at a place that served alcohol, which limited our choice, and also meant that the bill for our meal would often be half food, half alcohol, even for only 2 beers. I think usually when cruising you are anchoring in a place with other boats, with like minded people, so it is natural to want to socialise with them, and being in close vicinity to each other it is easy to organise on a daily basis (as opposed to having to work around work and children committments, getting in a car and driving etc).
It's a fair point, Catherine, although I have to say my inclination to want to hang out with other yachties has waned since quitting the drink. Unless it's a physical activity undertaken during the day (a tour, a hike, a dive etc), it normally involves drink!
A few glasses of wine is part of life’s enjoyment for me , couldn’t have a meal without it , I do however over indulge in the evening but don’t drink much during the day but live and let live and do what’s best for yourselves .
Cheers, David, I'll drink to that!
I stopped drinking several years ago, many of the issues you raised. A good book nothing to do with me is This Naked Mind, written by an American 🫣 Annie Grace. Very good for anyone questioning their relationship with Alcohol.
Thank you for the recommendation, Will, and well done on your sobriety 👍
Thanks!
Thank you, John, that is much appreciated. Please have a juice on us!