Apart from A Royal Navy Officer, What is a Useless Thing to have Onboard a Yacht?

The following quote is attributed to Captain John Illingworth RN, a very successful ocean racer of his day...."The three most useless objects on a racing yacht at sea are an umbrella, a racing bicycle, and a serving naval officer." ;)
 
alahol2 said:
Actually, an umbrella can be very useful on those warm. showery days. A lot easier than climbing in and out of waterproofs. It gives the 'real sailors' something to laugh at as well.
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We also use an umbrella instead of washboards when moored or anchored on showery days - it lets in more light and is easier to remove.

- W
 
I too use an umbrella - ideal when the sailing in light winds and you can feel the UV burning through the sunscreen.
(We live under the ozone hole and our boat is too small for a permanent bimini.)

But of what use is an altimeter aboard yacht?
 
John the kiwi said:
I too use an umbrella - ideal when the sailing in light winds and you can feel the UV burning through the sunscreen.
(We live under the ozone hole and our boat is too small for a permanent bimini.)

But of what use is an altimeter aboard yacht?
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It's called a barometer when you bolt it to a boat...
 
Apart-from-A-Royal-Navy-Officer-What-is-a-Useless-Thing-to-have-Onboard-a-Yacht/........................I was going to say another RN officer but just noticed that has been said :D



Vara said:
I once had a naval officer on my boat, engine running a bit rough and she whipped off the top thingy and reset the tappets, checked the filters and the levels, changed the impellor and pronounced all OK, very easy on the eye too.
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If she was an officer then she was more than likely an SD. (SD = Special Duties, someone who rises through the ranks and becomes an Officer (Grunter as in Pig :D)
A direct entry grunter would not get fingies dirty.


Manuel_Hung said:
Why are navy officers so useless at managing staff? They are always absolute numptys to work with. Is it something to do with the training?
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Not know about today's Navy but in my time it was due to the assumed class system. Them & us. It was my experience that 95% of them were just a waste of space.
They were supposed to be ''in charge'' but in reality they just got in the bl00dy way.
I was a Senior Rate for over 10 years and in that time can think of only one 'Pig' I had any respect for.
 
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Sandyman said:
Apart-from-A-Royal-Navy-Officer-What-is-a-Useless-Thing-to-have-Onboard-a-Yacht/........................I was going to say another RN officer but just noticed that has been said :D





If she was an officer then she was more than likely an SD. (SD = Special Duties, someone who rises through the ranks and becomes an Officer (Grunter as in Pig :D)
A direct entry grunter would not get fingies dirty.




Not know about today's Navy but in my time it was due to the assumed class system. Them & us. It was my experience that 95% of them were just a waste of space.
They were supposed to be ''in charge'' but in reality they just got in the bl00dy way.
I was a Senior Rate for over 10 years and in that time can think of only one 'Pig' I had any respect for.
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The old commission lists of SD GL etc are long gone. Automatic promotion to Lt Cdr has also gone. All officers join on short commission and are only retained if they are any good. Its all on merit now.

However I note that here are still people with chips on their shoulders in the RN. (Some are balanced and have chips on both shoulders.)

Its also a truism that there are idiots and fools in all walks of life (and I suggest that means all ranks and rates).
 
john_morris_uk said:
The old commission lists of SD GL etc are long gone. Automatic promotion to Lt Cdr has also gone. All officers join on short commission and are only retained if they are any good. Its all on merit now.

However I note that here are still people with chips on their shoulders in the RN. (Some are balanced and have chips on both shoulders.)

Its also a truism that there are idiots and fools in all walks of life (and I suggest that means all ranks and rates).
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The Navy used to have chips with everything :D Was on one frigate where they even had them with Brekkies :D

Point taken. Yes I believe there have been many changes. No doubt brought about because of changes in society, if for no other reason !
I can truly say that apart from the Skipper and perhaps people like the PWO I could never see the point of having so many officers.
Most of the time they just got in the way. Even when we went to Action Stations most of them had nothing to do except sit there and watch.
 
Vara said:
I once had a naval officer on my boat, engine running a bit rough and she whipped off the top thingy and reset the tappets, checked the filters and the levels, changed the impellor and pronounced all OK, very easy on the eye too.

Yet to find a use for a wheelbarrow, but umbrella very handy.
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Is she still available?

Can I put SWMBO in part exchange?

I can offer a decent package

Whipping off the top thingy would clinch the deal
 
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Sandyman said:
The Navy used to have chips with everything :D Was on one frigate where they even had them with Brekkies :D

Point taken. Yes I believe there have been many changes. No doubt brought about because of changes in society, if for no other reason !
I can truly say that apart from the Skipper and perhaps people like the PWO I could never see the point of having so many officers.
Most of the time they just got in the way. Even when we went to Action Stations most of them had nothing to do except sit there and watch.
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Perhaps its a case of main, reserve, and a spare in your back pocket sort of system.

There must be always someone left to take the blame
 
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