Best advice

[Richard Shead]

hmmmm

What is the one best snippit of advice that you've ever been given, in boating, or that you would pass on?

Seems quite stupid and obvious but having seen and taught quite a few people doing exactly the opposite mine would have to be:

If the boat is doing what you want, don't mess with it.

Awaiting with interest...

Buy a decent boating magazine.....

 

[MarieK]

You can never have too much respect for the sea.

 

[Richard10002]

Finally; Apply the 20 min rule before reefing etc.
If in doubt about any decision, wait 20 minutes & the correct action should become clear. If not, it is probably safe to wait another 20!

I thought it was:

If you are considering reefing, just do it - you can always shake it out if it wasnt necessary.

If you are considering shaking out a reef, wait a while, (20 mins if you like), then, if it still seems right, do it.

Also:

If it aint fun, dont do it

Buy cheap, buy twice

 

[nonitoo]

Apply the 20 min rule before reefing etc.
If in doubt about any decision, wait 20 minutes & the correct action should become clear. If not, it is probably safe to wait another 20!

For me, the opposite. As watchkeeper, if you think to yourself "should I call the skipper", you should have done so 20 minutes ago !!

Also remember the 6 Ps

Perfect
Planning
Prevents
P**s
Poor
Performance

Tom

 

[Poignard]

"When in trouble, when in doubt
run in circles, scream and shout".

To be strictly honest, that's not boating advice - I learnt it in the Navy.

 

[Mrs Sea Mist II]

Three pieces of advice I would repeat:

1. One hand for you, one for the boat.
2. You cannot have too many fenders.
3. Skip and crew should not shout at each other - obviously there may be a case for shouting if you cannot be heard, but generally barking orders is not acceptable. My RYA instructor liked to come into the marina with everyone knowing what they had to do and with no dialogue needed whatsoever. This certainly looks a lot better than everyone bellowing at each other!

 

[Searush]

I thought it was:

If you are considering reefing, just do it - you can always shake it out if it wasnt necessary.

(snip)

Each to their own. Why reef if you are not sure if the wind is increasing or not? You would end up on the cabin top reefing unnecessarily time & again. Fine, if it is clear it requires a reef, do it right away - but if in doubt a little time will make it all clear.

Like I said, wait 20 mins & it will become clear either way. But this is the MoBo forum innit - I don't suppose many of them need to reef much.

 

[Doghousekeeper]

"Never approach something faster than you're prepared to hit it"

 

[MedDreamer]

It was regarding the unpredictability of Med. weather and accuracy (or not) of local forecasts and was given to me by an experienced English instructor with many years Balearic experience but I think its good general advice for anywhere. He told me to believe bad forecasts even if the day is apparently perfect.

"Better to be ashore wishing you were at sea than at sea wishing you were ashore"

Everytime I ignored that advice I came to regret it!