Chores are a big one. Who does what, who wants to do what, and how they get done are all things that can cause issues between people on a boat. Here are the common chores that need to be done: deck cleaning, dishes, trash, cooking, dinghy cleaning.
Chores are a big one. Who does what, who wants to do what, and how they get done are all things that can cause issues between people on a boat.
The key to avoiding conflict over chores is to establish a clear system before you leave the dock. Options include:
Rotating Schedule: Each person or couple is responsible for a different chore each day. This is fair and ensures everyone contributes.
Specialization: Some people enjoy cooking, others prefer cleaning. Let people do what they enjoy.
Spontaneous: Some crews prefer to just handle chores as they arise, without a formal system. This works well for crews who know each other well and have compatible work ethics.
The most common source of conflict over chores is unspoken expectations. One person thinks the dishes should be done immediately after every meal; another thinks it's fine to leave them until the end of the day. Neither is wrong — they just have different standards.
The solution is to talk about it before you leave the dock.
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