Aft Deck Society

Aft Deck Society: Clever Ideas for Effortless Entertaining and Drinks on Modern Boats is a relaxed, elegant guide for cruisers who love gathering friends, sharing a drink, and making life on the water feel welcoming, without turning hosting into a project.

Written from the perspective of a long-time boater and bartender, who actually entertains aboard, Aft Deck Society focuses on what truly works in the real world of boat life. This is not about fully stocked bars, complicated cocktails, or last-minute runs ashore. Instead, it offers practical systems, thoughtful preparation, and adaptable drink ideas designed for modern boats, limited storage, and ever-changing ingredient availability.

Entertaining on a boat doesn't require perfection; it requires flexibility. Aft Deck Society shows how to create satisfying cocktails and easy drinks using portable bar tools, shelf-stable mixers, and smart substitutions when fresh ingredients aren't available. You'll learn how to work confidently with what you have onboard, whether that means swapping citrus, rethinking garnishes, or building drinks around a small, well-chosen collection of spirits.

The book also explores the rhythm of relaxed hosting afloat: how to set up a simple bar that packs away neatly, how to prepare ahead so you're not mixing drinks all evening, and how to create an atmosphere that feels generous without feeling staged. Small details, like choosing the right glassware, organizing tools so they're easy to reach, and planning drinks that share ingredients, make entertaining feel effortless rather than performative.

Throughout the book, the emphasis is on ease, intention, and enjoyment. The goal isn't to impress, but to connect, to spend less time fussing with drinks and more time enjoying good conversation, sunset light, and the company you've invited aboard.

This book is intended for use. It's the kind of guide you'll flip through before guests arrive, keep nearby during dockside gatherings, and return to season after season as your hosting style evolves.

• Easy docktail ideas designed for boat life
• Portable bar tools that save space and work harder
• Flexible ingredients and smart substitutions
• Simple drink formulas that adapt to what's onboard
• Hosting strategies that reduce prep and clean-up
• Thoughtful details that elevate casual gatherings
• Real-world advice shaped by years of entertaining afloat

Whether you're hosting dockside drinks, anchoring with friends, or keeping things simple underway, Aft Deck Society offers a calm, confidence-building approach to entertaining on the water, without excess, stress, or unnecessary complexity.

8.5 × 11 format
74 pages
A thoughtful gift for boaters, cruisers, and anyone who loves life on the water

Part of the Missy Goes Boating Lifestyle Series, Aft Deck Society reflects a philosophy of West Coast nautical elegance, where good drinks, easy systems, and intentional hosting create space for connection and enjoyment afloat.