Competent Crew book?

[nigelmercier]

I'm looking for a book for study before doing a Competent Crew course. I've arranged "own boat tuition" for my wife later this year; she finds the RYA book “Competent Crew” CCPCN/02 very dry and hard going - even I struggle to follow some of it, mainly as it lacks detail.

Can anyone suggest a more readable book?

 

[richardsn9]

I hesitate to mention it because it has the most dreadful title you could imagine, but there was a booklet called something like "Yacht Crewing, How to be welcome on board...", and despite this the content was actually quite good. Not sure if copies still around.

 

[alant]

I'm looking for a book for study before doing a Competent Crew course. I've arranged "own boat tuition" for my wife later this year; she finds the RYA book “Competent Crew” CCPCN/02 very dry and hard going - even I struggle to follow some of it, mainly as it lacks detail.

Can anyone suggest a more readable book?

She'll probably find boating boring as well.
The RYA booklet IMO, is a great primer for comp crew.

 

[AMCD300]

She'll probably find boating boring as well.
The RYA booklet IMO, is a great primer for comp crew.

+1

Having a shelf full of books I think the RYA Comp Crew is about the most straightforward and easy to read out there.

Read the book a few times, get a piece of rope to practice your knots and IMHO that is all you need to start the comp crew course.

Andy

 

[alant]

+1

Having a shelf full of books I think the RYA Comp Crew is about the most straightforward and easy to read out there.

Read the book a few times, get a piece of rope to practice your knots and IMHO that is all you need to start the comp crew course.

Andy

Totally agree.
With the comp crew + DS booklets, you can master almost any sailing requirement.

Unfortunately, there is a subtle trick - you have to read them.

 

[Skylark]

I personally find most things from the pen of Tom Cunliffe to be easy reading, helpful and informative.

http://www.tomcunliffe.com/products-page/books/page/1/

He does seem to have mastered the skill of engaging the reader. Not quite Dan Brown but not at all dull and dry, unlike some already mentioned

 

[superheat6k]

Nigel - Tried to PM you, but your in box is full. Please PM me when you have some space available.

 

[nigelmercier]

I personally find most things from the pen of Tom Cunliffe to be easy reading, helpful and informative... Not quite Dan Brown but not at all dull and dry, unlike some already mentioned

I've got half a dozen of Tom's books, but don't recall seeing one for this level.

Mailbox now a bit less full. Bloody stupid system: no warning given.

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Our 18 year old daughter did comp crew, stc's and powerboat a few months ago. According to her the theory was boring but became fun when putting it into practise

 

[Dab]

I came across this in my local bookshop yesterday. I think the author comes across pretty well. It may be closer to Day Skipper standard but it covers most of the things the comp crew needs to know, but backs up the diagrams and pictures with a bit more narrative. I only glanced through it so wouldn't suggest ordering it without seeing it or getting another opinion.

 

[alant]

I came across this in my local bookshop yesterday. I think the author comes across pretty well. It may be closer to Day Skipper standard but it covers most of the things the comp crew needs to know, but backs up the diagrams and pictures with a bit more narrative. I only glanced through it so wouldn't suggest ordering it without seeing it or getting another opinion.

Why is everyone trying to reinvent the wheel?

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Why is everyone trying to reinvent the wheel?

Because different people learn in different ways and therefore one book doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

 

[nigelmercier]

I came across this in my local bookshop yesterday...

Thanks for that. It is published by DK, so should be good.

 

[alant]

Because different people learn in different ways and therefore one book doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

That's why Comp Crew, is a practical course, with the booklet used to help pupils reinforce what is taught!

In my experience running these & other RYA courses, it seems strange, that people seem to think a 'hard cover' book has better content/more value, than the RYA Course Books, when in fact all they are doing is spending more money.

 

[Babylon]

I consider the beautifully illustrated RYA training booklets (CC, DS Theory, DS Practical, YM) to be amongst the most effective summary learning aids I've ever seen.

There is plenty of other material available for all levels/specialities (for which I've now run out of bookcase capacity), but these RYA booklets seem to me perfect as a complement/aide-memoire to anyone doing a proper theory or practical course.

But if a person isn't really that interested...

 

[emsworthy]

I bought my wife this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Your-Boat-Too-Enjoyment/dp/0939837692 which, once she had stopped hitting me with it, she actually found an easy read and helped her understand a lot more about life on board rather than just CC.

 

[nigelmercier]

I consider the beautifully illustrated RYA training booklets ... to be amongst the most effective summary learning aids I've ever seen...

That's the problem, this book just says "Do this, then do that". Doesn't say why. Excellent for revision, but not if you are new to the subject.

 

[Babylon]

That's the problem, this book just says "Do this, then do that". Doesn't say why. Excellent for revision, but not if you are new to the subject.

Fair enough. Perhaps I misunderstood. When you said your "wife" I therefore made the assumption that she had been sailing with you previously and had been shown all sorts of comp crew bits and pieces before with some explanation of why things are done the way they are.

FWIW (and not linking this directly your own particular circumstances) I have had adult students in my own field, for whom there's been an utter disconnect from what I've been teaching. Its terribly frustrating when one has people for whom verbal explanation, practical demonstration, explanatory sketches, all backed up by anecdote and a broader discussion of the principles, simply doesn't penetrate.

 

[Skylark]

In my experience running these & other RYA courses, it seems strange, that people seem to think a 'hard cover' book has better content/more value, than the RYA Course Books, when in fact all they are doing is spending more money.

As one of the forum "elders" (meant as a compliment), I'm surprised that you have this experience.

I can perfectly understand that different people have different learning skills. It seems reasonable that some people find the RYA course handbooks as "dry". True, they are a fantastic resource and contain 100% of the "must know" information. They do not, however, IMHO, engage the reader. There's no dialogue, no anecdotal stories to add context and relevance which for many is at the heart of learning.

There's evidently at least one (potential) student, (Mrs OP), who is sufficiently motivated to want to do the CC course and wants to read-up in advance of the course in order to maximise participation. Bravo her, I say

 

[alant]

As one of the forum "elders" (meant as a compliment), I'm surprised that you have this experience.

I can perfectly understand that different people have different learning skills. It seems reasonable that some people find the RYA course handbooks as "dry". True, they are a fantastic resource and contain 100% of the "must know" information. They do not, however, IMHO, engage the reader. There's no dialogue, no anecdotal stories to add context and relevance which for many is at the heart of learning.

There's evidently at least one (potential) student, (Mrs OP), who is sufficiently motivated to want to do the CC course and wants to read-up in advance of the course in order to maximise participation. Bravo her, I say

Surely, if mrs OP actually bothers to read the RYA booklet, then will learn enough to maximise participation.
Point out 'any' other book specifically dealing with CC.