TV show- "Below Deck"

Darn… I would have been on of the guest then! As stupid as it sounds, I did watch the show. And knowing Bravo, it will have the same story line again.

That is a show that would be a must watch! What a great idea! If I only had a boat! Maybe in three years.

A grotesque, lazy TV production with zero-to-nil substance or entertainment value outside of the staged guests, and rote Reality TV 101 crew story lines.

Nope.

Breaking Bad.

Less of Below Deck.

Actually got so angry on that show i looked up some of those in the show on FB and tried to talk to them about... well how stupid everything in the show was... And they actually seemed even worse in real life..

Are the yachties on the show real or are they paid actors? I watched a few minutes and I felt they were (over-)acting.

Real for the most part. The head stew on the show was one of its creators I believe. If true, sadly I'll bet she is proud of that fact.

I watched an episode. The key to making it through the whole thing was to watch it in VLC, and turn the speed up to about 1.7. That way the cringe inducing moments pass too quickly to cause any serious bodily harm. Sam was totally a good looking woman, which was nice. I have no other comments.

They're not exactly the classiest guests!

A few weeks ago I saw an article about The Below Deck yacht sinking, not sure if it is true as thought I would see something here first.
http://www.inquisitr.com/4005017/below-deck-boat-sinks-while-filming-season-five/

Wasn't the Below Deck Yacht, but the crew boat. the Silver Queen.

It looks like "Silevr Queen" was a Huckins.

My wife and I love the show, and take it for what it is worth..entertainment. It is also fun to see nice boats and the interiors.

The crew quarters are much nicer than the oil tankers I sailed on in the 80's.

I remember a quote from the second engineer back then...oil doesn't talk back.

A lot of chartering seems to be someone splurging and deciding to invite as many friends as possible, to get maximum benefit from their dollars. Typically on a boat that size, they'd have many more. Of course with the group this week, I doubt those women have any more friends to invite or even acquaintances who would join them.

We all watched it from the boat last night after the Celtics-Cavs game.

Food preferences was perhaps the best humor as right after saying they'd requested no starches, they ordered spaghetti. Then the one who said she did like shellfish rejected lobster bisque because she didn't eat fish and followed that up by not knowing why she wasn't served lobster like the others.

Two or three interesting side topics, I thought. The new stew (well, she's done lake tour boat work before) who gets seasick. Not all that unusual and why smart chief stews make sure new stews are given meds the first few times. But still there are some who go through the courses, land a job and find they can't boat without getting seasick. We hired a stew recently who had never been on a boat (other than a fishing boat in inland Mississippi) and had that fear. Fortunately, she's fine. I've known couples to buy boats only to find out one of them can't overcome getting seasick. I wonder what percentage of people just cannot tolerate any coastal or offshore boating.

Then as to food preferences and allergies. Boating led us in the direction of gathering that information for our friends and family and we also use it on land. Very useful and not just for charters.

Now on a charter, when does the captain step in on difficult guests? Talking to long time captains and chief stews, there was consensus that if safety became an issue then always, but what about when it was just rudeness and ugliness toward crew or sexual harassment of crew. In one manner of speaking it's how much will you figuratively prostitute yourself and your crew to protect a potential tip. Another reason we don't offer any boats for charter.

No one on the show does their country any favors. Well, occasionally they do. There seems to be one decent stew and one decent deck hand on each show. Of course, the drinking changes even that. Unfortunately, the drinking and partying between charters and the fights that develop out of it are quite common on some boats. A lot of crew that make good money and has none left.

Not a charter captain, but...

These guests definitely play it for television. However, everything you can imagine happens on larger charter boats. From talking to our crew and especially our Chief Stew, the conclusion is that the majority of guests are good guests, appreciative of the service. However, even among the nice guests the drinking and partying can lead to some very difficult situations. There are guests who charter just to have a huge party as opposed to those who want to enjoy the incredible scenery and locations with their family.

Just like anywhere in society, you see it all. You do see wealthy men who charter and bring aboard an array of young, well compensated females for their time aboard. They engage in orgies sometimes.

Drug use is a problem which most captains will put an end to immediately. Doesn't mean people still don't bring it aboard, just that when they decide to use the dining table to prepare it, they are stopped. It's long been a concern of whether a well written charter contract is enough protection and while I don't know anyone doing it, various charter groups have talked about using drug dogs. Turning a boat around after finding drugs is not an every day event but it does happen. Think a moment of nice hotels. Rest assured they all have drugs in some of their rooms. However, the hotel owner and employees are not at the same risk the yacht owner and crew are.

While not yacht chartering, the legalization of marijuana in several coastal states has created a risk to boat owners as there are more people who carry marijuana with them on a daily basis and if not warned might come on your boat while carrying it.

Sexual harassment of crew is a very common challenge. Again you're often talking about charter guests who are doing a lot of drinking and easily get carried away.

The most disliked charter guests appear to be the girlfriend's of the wealthy charterer who want to act like they're in charge.

Have you been on a flight that got delayed or redirected because of weather? Most of the passengers would be fully understanding but typically one or two who were furious and out of control. Same in charters that can't go to the planned destinations. Still more understanding than with mechanical issues.

We're read several books by yacht stews and some give more balanced views than others. Julie Perry's is excellent. Alene Keenan and Courtney Pienaar are pretty much "how to" books. Now, the most recent is Kate Chastain's and it is much like you'd expect. Captain Lee from Below Deck has also written a book. More written about sailing.

Most chartering goes well. Crew learns to handle the mild problems and issues, keeping in mind the tips they're hoping for. But some charters are miserable for crews.