Tips for shooting a party on an 80 foot 3 mast schooner

Hi guys,
I just booked an event shoot for someone's birthday party on a private boat. I've only photographed on a big dinner cruise type boats where it just looks like a restaurant/banquet hall inside. Well, I've also been on a ferry in the SF bay a few times. But never on a schooner. Also I've read through the other posts here about events on boat but I still have questions.
Questions.....
1.How shaky is this going to be? We will be going around the bay & under the Golden Gate Bridge where it is normally really windy. I was not sea sick when I was on the other boats mentioned above but when I hear "schooner" I feel it is supposed to be more shaky I'm going to have 2 cameras on a double strap & a waist pack so everything will be strapped on my person.
2.Ideas for getting a shot of everyone (30+ people) on board? I was browsing some photos on google and it looks like there are a lot of obstacles (masts, ropes and what not). We'll do a photo on the dock but also looking for a good place during the boat ride as we will be passing by quite a few landmarks (GG Bridge, Alcatraz, SF).
3.Should I bring rain covers for water splashing on board? I have the cheap plastic ones I never use... How do those work with on camera flash? I will need at least one flash for fill because we will be back lit - event is 3-5pm and most all landmarks will be west of us.
Anything else I'm not thinking about....?
Thanks guys! I'm pretty psyched to do this shoot!
-Sue

1. An 80 foot boat is pretty stable. It's a gentle motion, there isn't much pounding on a boat that size, until you get out into the open ocean during storms
2. 30+ people is a lot of people. If possible, I'd say line some up sitting on the rail, and others in strategic places along the boom.
3. There won't be much spray on a boat that size.

Phew good to hear! I won't have a chance to pre-visit the boat so all kinds things are going on in my mind. Thanks shaggymatt!

It was such a warm sunny day yesterday, a perfect day for a sail around the bay~! I thought I'd share with you guys it went really well. 80 foot sounded really big but the boat was not that huge. It did get a little windy and I almost lost footing a couple of times but the captain decided to change course so most of the sail was pretty calm. I had to use lots of fill flash, used mostly 17-40mm & 50L but some 15mm fisheye as well. Some pictures are on my blog here.

Hi Sue, sounds fun!

My 2 cents:

1. I wouldn't worry about shake. Big boats rock slowly and gently. Just get your hands on a prime or 2 and a flash and you're good. It's usually very bright out on the water. I can't imagine you needing a tripod at all.

2. get a wide-angle (24mm on a full-frame). dock photo is the best idea, but I'd be scouting the boat and seeing if you can get up high. I'd also be thinking of trying something different (crow's nest straight down?) something different and interesting anyway.

3. I don't think you're in danger of getting wet

^ Psst. ...the photo shoot already took place.

Sue,

Enjoyed seeing the pics. Nice work and thanks for sharing!

Bryan