Parsonsheath
Well-Known Member
I was looking the other day at some old papers, and laughing at all the different courses I had done over the years on sailing.
I did not have any mates with boats, so realised I needed the basics before committing myself, so over the years started with dinghy sailing theory, then dinghy sailing practical, then estuary sailing theory, practical, coastal navigation, etc., etc. At the same time I think I got hold of and read so many tons of boating books that the floor on the house groaned. All the courses and all the reading were worth it in that they prepared me for the next step, but there can be no substitute for time on the water, and a healthy respect/fear of the water!
I reckon family have outstripped me in learning because there is now a boat in the family, on one day out two sons in law learned enough to spend the day happily tacking and running round the Essex coast, sure I was there to teach, but there was no way they could have reached that stage through book learning.
Happily there are courses there, but they do no more than a day or so out on a friends boat, they point the way and are very much a starter, and are just one way to get going.
The best way is hands on experience with friends/family, saiing is a learning curve at all levels, though most of us are happy to sit at the bottom of the stairs!
My fear is a bit of paper could lead to overconfidence, and danger.
Ramble over!!
I did not have any mates with boats, so realised I needed the basics before committing myself, so over the years started with dinghy sailing theory, then dinghy sailing practical, then estuary sailing theory, practical, coastal navigation, etc., etc. At the same time I think I got hold of and read so many tons of boating books that the floor on the house groaned. All the courses and all the reading were worth it in that they prepared me for the next step, but there can be no substitute for time on the water, and a healthy respect/fear of the water!
I reckon family have outstripped me in learning because there is now a boat in the family, on one day out two sons in law learned enough to spend the day happily tacking and running round the Essex coast, sure I was there to teach, but there was no way they could have reached that stage through book learning.
Happily there are courses there, but they do no more than a day or so out on a friends boat, they point the way and are very much a starter, and are just one way to get going.
The best way is hands on experience with friends/family, saiing is a learning curve at all levels, though most of us are happy to sit at the bottom of the stairs!
My fear is a bit of paper could lead to overconfidence, and danger.
Ramble over!!
