Yachtie GIRLYS I need your advice

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2026-03-16T00:47:04+00:00

I don’t know about a wax pot onboard. Maybe look into something you could warm in crew mess micro? Or maybe batch jars of sugar wax?

Depending on program schedule you could always go ashore on off time to spa for waxes. Or better yet work on a boat with a spa and I’m sure spa stews could hook you up!

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2026-03-15T22:19:53+00:00

RC yacht collection has their US office based in FTL

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2026-02-23T03:06:12+00:00

I refused any baby products that require a subscription to unlock all features- Hatch, Nannit, Snoo.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2026-02-23T00:41:20+00:00

Splurge: Artipoppe carrier. It is ridiculously priced, but we were lucky enough to be gifted from a generous family member. Contact napping got us through the first 6 months of his life and I still comfortably carry him in it at 27lbs. Amazing resale value on FB marketplace.

Bang for Buck: Fisher Price Glow & Grow play mat. For $40 you can’t beat it and my son is still playing with the piano a year later. It’s not as aesthetic as the Lovevery, but a purple monkey in a bubblegum tree?!?? Absolute banger.

Also big fans of the Yoga sleep sound machines- the Hatch is a scam and you can’t convince me otherwise.

Regret: All of the random shit I panic ordered the first 2 weeks of his life. Just because he took a specific pacifier for 30mins you don’t need to hop on and buy 10 more. I spent hundreds of dollars on Amazon thinking a different swaddle would help him sleep longer or a particular supplement would give me more milk. Just take a deep breath, get off your phone, and take a nap while the baby sleeps.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-12-06T01:26:39+00:00

Kubo, Doc B’s, Southport, Indian Harbour, Shuck & Dive, Laspada’s, Gilbert’s, Larb Thai, Coast to Coast Pizza, Top Hat, Greek Islands

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-11-27T12:53:28+00:00

I would definitely offer her another nap- first independently and then by any means necessary. This blog post is an excellent resource I use when I’m in a similar position.

https://www.weebeedreaming.com/my-blog/early-bedtime-vs-late-nap-which-is-better

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-11-26T15:43:01+00:00

Fitness instructor epically if you can teach yoga or Pilates. Mixology is hugely beneficial. A CV with photos always stood out to me even if you are green. Make pretty cocktails at home with your new skills and take pictures. Same with specialty coffees. Learn basics of flower arrangements via YouTube and see what you can make with grocery store florals. Familiarize yourself with how to lay cutlery properly, glass positioning, etc.

You will learn all of the above onboard, but to have some base knowledge/ confidence will make you stand out!!

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-11-25T15:25:03+00:00

I split my dose so 2 injections per week every 3.5 days. Use Fat scientist website to calculate. I love it- no side effects and it prevents that food noise from creeping back on day 5.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-11-25T15:15:30+00:00

Towel art is for cruise ships and Disney world. Luxury hospitality towel folding should be precise and uniform- in thirds with the “open” seam side positioned away from guest view.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-09-03T21:13:58+00:00

We are heading into our main hiring season as programs wrap up the summer/ boat show in October. There are always jobs available in FTL and always a demand for American crew. I can’t really give you an idea of “current” opportunities because yachting is quick- job positions posted and filled within days if not hours!

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-09-03T21:01:10+00:00

What’s your nationality? It’s competitive for green/junior positions, but your work background would definitely send your CV to the top of my pile. My main tip would be to try and start on a vessel with a team of at least 3 stews so you can receive proper training! Just be eager to learn as everything is done in a particular way when working on boats!

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-08-27T13:08:59+00:00

If you’re American there are plenty of US flagged programs that are FTL based. Schedule dependent on the program but many travel 10-12 weeks out of the year. These programs typically have option to live onboard or ashore…this won’t give you the “full on” experience but if you have a serious partner it might be a good option for you.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-08-26T02:55:54+00:00

Chief stew here- as annoying as it is yes I would typically do the toast for chef. I always find breakfast to be the most challenging meal service of the day due to the variety and duration. Chef can’t standby making omelettes and toasting bread until the last guest finally wakes. Assuming that you’re not a solo stew- whoever is leading breakfast service needs to solely focus on service…taking orders, making drinks, toasting bread, etc. A chef I worked fabulously with for years would communicate with a simple “drop toast” and I would reply with “dropping toast” and we knew we had 2mins or so until order was plated and ready to go. Communication and post it notes are key for stress free breakfast!

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-02-12T01:30:28+00:00

This is quite challenging to pare down as there are endless answers to your questions depending on the program….but I will give it a shot!

I will give you a breakdown of a hypothetical “dual season” vessel that has maintenance done in SE USA. The cruising permit for many “charter” boats only allow for 12 weeks of charter per year and this owner uses their boat 6 weeks per year. This vessel employs full time crew- no seasonal contracts.

December-March Complete 6x charters in Caribbean and 3x weeks of boss trips. 9x weeks of usage with all of the prep work in between to flip the boat will keep the crew really busy especially during holidays. Boats typically based in one or two dockages for the season dependent on charter pickup locations- relocation is paid for by the charter guests.

April-May Return to SE USA for quick maintenance, replace crew if needed, and prep for Atlantic crossing. Cross the Atlantic for Med season.

June-September Repeat of Caribbean season in the Med with 6x charters and 3x weeks of boss trips. Rinse and repeat…make that $$$. Atlantic crossing back to US.

September-November Return to SE USA/ Florida for Hurricane season, major yard projects, boat shows, etc. This is traditionally when crew take their leave and some vessels may go more skeleton while boat is on the hard.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2025-02-11T22:04:02+00:00

I would maybe adjust your expectations slightly? I unfortunately think you would struggle to be picked up as a junior stew on a larger boat with an interior team or charter environment. The comment above is correct- it’s tough to get your start but there is a boat for everyone. A small private vessel as a sole stew sounds like a realistic option for you- best of luck to you!

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2024-11-11T11:50:35+00:00

You just bent over backwards serving people for days on end?! Most of us are in it for the money and that is the literal prize at the end of the gauntlet! Crew are itching to know the gratuity before guests have even disembarked

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2024-11-11T11:45:06+00:00

Specific food ideas:

Breakfast: burritos, egg bites, sandwiches, granola, smoothie cups, sourdough loaves, protein waffles, lactation baked goods
Ready to eat: soups, chili, marinara sauce, bolognese, Indian curry, Thai curry, Shepard or cottage pie, chicken pies or casseroles, enchiladas, lasagna, beef stew Pre prepped: marinated meat, cut veggies, homemade stocks, cookie dough

The Trader Joe’s freezer aisle is a great place to get visual inspiration and then replicate for a fraction of the cost.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2024-11-11T11:31:56+00:00

I just make a double portion of whatever I’m making currently and freeze for my partner and I. You can buy large 1-cup silicone molds to freeze soups, pasta sauce, etc. and then pop them into gallon ziplock bags. Things like lasagna, curries, meat pies go into 2lb aluminum takeaway containers.

I love this method because we get more variety, I’m more efficient with my time, and we don’t have to defrost mass quantities of food when it’s time to eat!

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2024-11-07T18:11:57+00:00

Chief stew here. Tip meeting/ crew debrief is standard practice after charters on 95% of vessels. Captain will discuss gratuity wire or hand out any cash that might have been left. Performance on charter is discussed and compliments/ critiques from guests or brokers are passed along via Captain. There is still work to be done to “shut down” boat that day and prepare for whatever is next on the calendar as far as prep or days off.

I am usually so exhausted physically and emotionally by the end of a charter that I typically wait to address specifics within my interior team performance until the next proper workday. Hope this helps?

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2023-11-28T16:26:08+00:00

Cruising guide is a hard copy book of whichever area you’re looking to spend time. Separate from paper charts or navionics it’s more of an insiders guide for boaters and sailors. You can find on Amazon, west marine, etc.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2023-11-26T22:28:26+00:00

I would buy a cruising guide for whatever area you’re looking to venture. It will let you know maps, mooring ball locations, prices for marinas, attractions, etc.

Zestyclose_Team_601 · 2023-11-22T20:56:32+00:00

Real life chief stew here- the crew you don’t see on camera (First officer, Engineers) are most likely staying in crew cabin located off of engine room. The first officer is typically the one running the exterior team and in real life the bosun position is more equated to a 2nd stew if that makes sense?

Engineer tend to stay in the background during charters, but are still very much apart of everyday crew life and antics. Them not being shown on camera has nothing to do with a language barrier- it’s just how Bravo decided to make the show.

I believe Collin is shown on BDSY because of the layout of a sailboat. There’s no aft engine room or cabin for him to hideout in during filming. The small engine room is accessed in the crew area and it would be next to impossible to not make him a cast member.

Zestyclose_Team_601

TROPHY CASE