Mandos and water

[mandoduffy]

So, a friend calls and invites me to go sailing in the Virgin Islands. #I've read the posts about heat, but haven't spotted anything about the risks of exposing the instrument to moist, salty air for a week (the risks of spilled beers I can manage). #I'm new to the mandolin--but am thinking this is probably not a good idea. #Any advice? (And apologies--this is my first post here and opening up with "I'm going sailing" invites being slapped around a bit. It's a rough life, but someone has to do it.)

[Snakebeard Jackson]

bring a beater mandolin.

[mdlorenz]

defiantely get a beater.

[John Flynn]

If you can afford it, get a Mix NewMAD. Put T-I Starks on it.

[f5loar]

With a good protective case and cover and a wipe down cloth in your case you should have no problem. Expect dead strings quickly but other than that I'd take a Loar to the BVI.

[Doug Hoople]

Painkillers are sweet and sticky when spilled, and they're murder to clean up when spilled into the soundhole(s).

Also, don't forget the cardinal rule of mando cases: always make sure at least one latch is closed... it's really bad when the case opens up and dumps your mando onto the floor, but it's worse when you're passing the case from boat to dinghy to visit a neighboring boat for a jam (yes, I've done that, which is how I learned this cardinal rule in the first place).

Actually, forget all the above. Just bring a beater. It doubles as a paddle for the dinghy in a pinch.

[Tom C]

a few years ago, sSomebody who one got a new mando had premature distressing to the metal due to taking it to the beach on vacation.

[JeffD]

Yea bring something you wouldn't mind pouring bilge water out of.

[Jim MacDaniel]

An Applause or Crafter might be a good option for a water resistant beater, since its back and sides are plastic. (Or, you could bring a Martin backpacker since it's shaped like a paddle.

[mandoduffy]

Thanks folks, pretty much what I would have expected, although I had not really considered the auxillary paddle aspect. Am considering the "beater" purchase for this and campfire purposes. #Will report after the trip, which is scheduled for late June.

[fatt-dad]

Salty air is havock on the tuners.

f-d

[jim_n_virginia]

here's another vote to get a less inexpensive mandolin ie; a beater.

Remember the first rule of MAS... we must always jump on the first plausible excuse to buy a new mandolin no matter how remote the reason may be!

happy hunting and post some pictures when you find it!

[Bigtuna]

I live at the beach, a block or so from the water and I've had no problems with any of my mandos and I sit outside on the porch and play often. I use coated strings and wipe them down after it gets played and that seems to work for me. However, I've never had it on the beach and it always stays in the case. If you plan on sitting on the deck picking a tune I would bring the beater. Salt water is only good for my surfboards, everything else pays the price.

[CES]

Agree to get a beater, and as the owner of a POS Applause guitar (which I bought to try to learn some slide on b/c it was cheap and had a high action) I can attest to their resiliency. It ain't gonna sound like your good one, but it will sound like a mandolin, and I've never had anyone I've played with/for complain about how I sound, esp after a couple of drinks (and I'm not any good, it's just that those who don't play just won't know, and those that do will know it's a beater, and if you can play they won't care!).

Re: the tuners, you may want to make sure they're well lubricated before you set off, and clean/oil them well when you return.

Have a great trip. (no exclamation point b/c I'm not going with you...)

[mandroid]

Martin backpackers are well made, solidly glued and no neck joint to get funny , and are the kind of shape that stowage space on a packed sail boat can accommodate. it will not get claustrophobic in the V-berth, even with a couple sail bags thrown on top of it.

[devilstone_the_bard]

I would bring my new Weber Sweet Pea

[boatman]

I've lived on and cruised worldwide on sailboats, and usually have had a nice instrument of some nature aboard. Yes strings tarnish/corrode more quicly, but strings are cheap. The key is to have the cased instrument stowed somewhere secure, and never lay the instrument down when under-way. Also, don't lather yourself up with sun screen or insect repellant and put the grip on your mando. Keep in mind that a sailboat is very much substandard housing as far as space and privacy are concerned; your shipmates may not enjoy your picking as much as you do. You may get more use out of a mask and snorkel and a set of swim fins. Enjoy yourself.

[earthsave]

Leave your mando at home and enjoy the islands.

[minnedolin]

Martin backpackers are well made, solidly glued and no neck joint to get funny , and are the kind of shape that stowage space on a packed sail boat can #accommodate.

Yikes! I'm talking with a bunch of millionaires! Just kidding--personally man, I'd bring a notebook for ideas, a collection of short stories, binoculars, a disposable camera, two cans of tuna fish, and maybe a ukulele, nobody likes those things anyways. But absolutely under no circumstances would I bring my mother-in-law.

[shiloh]

I'm wondering if I should chime in....Many of you have heard my story of our living aboard our sailboat. We're retiring and going cruising for who-knows-how-long along the Pacific Coast, Mexico, and beyond.

As a friend of mine always says, Life is Too Short to Play Cheap Instruments ;-) I've kept inexpensive and expensive mandolins (and guitars) on our boat and it certainly can be a challenge. I always keep them in a hard case - some have case covers over the case too. For a week or so in the islands I don't think I'd worry too much about the moisture issue. The heat will likely be more of a potential problem in June. The Weber Sweet Pea is a great travel mando and not too expensive (but difficult to find one for sale, and not particularly loud). The only 'problem' I've had with any of my instruments is that the wound strings absorb moisture. I use good cases and case covers but, eventually, the moisture does catch up to the strings. They slack, you tighten/tune, repeatedly. So they certainly won't last as long. If you actually were going long-term sailing I'd recommend packaging the spare strings individually (maybe use a seal-a-meal) and that would be the best way to keep them fresh.

For our long-term cruising I'm taking a good, relatively inexpensive (flat) Weber A mandolin. It sounds great, plays easily, but isn't the world's most expensive instrument. My second recommendation would be to buy a Big Muddy (Mid-Mo). They are easy to play, sound good and not expensive.

Good luck. I considered not taking any instruments but that was definitely not an option! We have a lot of spare parts on the boat, but everyone tells me we'll get more use out of the mandolin and guitar than the spares!

Jill