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Raise your glass – there’s no need to lower your standards!
To raise your glass in salute is as pleasurable a part of sailing as it is ashore. But, given the particular rigours of the environment, of what should that raised glass be made? Ah, I hear you say, plastic would be the obvious choice – virtually indestructible polycarbonate being the favourite amongst them. Well, maybe in the direst circumstances, but not for day-to-day use I would say. After all, the thought of sipping an icy gin-and-tonic or a carefully chilled sancerre out of a soulless synthetic receptacle goes very much against the grain. Life should be as agreeable afloat as it is on land – more so, many would claim.
But you can raise your glass to some good news. When it comes to drinking glasses, there’s no need to suffer. Nearly ten years ago we shipped a set of heavy-based Dartington crystal glasses (see left) aboard Shindig and have broken only one of them over the thousands of miles that have accrued since. None of our plastic glasses have survived to this date.
The truth is that, in anything other than the most rugged conditions, glass is both more practical and more pleasurable. Plastic 'glasses' are too light to be stable, especially when nearly empty. By contrast, the real variety will retain their sealegs much more securely – particularly those with a wide stance.
One potential downside, though. Real glasses do tend to chink if stacked together. No problem. To take the chinking out of drinking, follow my wife Chele's example and make up some of chamois leather discs to act as pads.
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Domestics Afloat Raise your glass - no need to lower your standards
