One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

I am not sure that I would want to put a novice on the helm trying to sail to windward, or downwind in any sort of sea state.... Novices have enough of a problem steering a straight course when under engine in a flat calm.
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How are they supposed to learn then?

As long as they are closely supervised, without putting them under pressure by your presence, actually taking the helm is the only way for a novice to learn. They may start off being poor at it, but they will gather confidence & skill the more time they spend at it.
As an instructor, all my school boats will have novices. Even on a boat with a mixture of Day Skipper/YM/Comp crew, I insist they all get an opportunity to helm, under power & sail, also when 'pontoon bashing'. Under sail, I get anyone who might be nervous to do a few 360's, to give them confidence.
Unless I am demonstrating something, or conditions are extreme for those individuals, I will ask them to helm
the boat off & back into any berth. Much as I'd like to play & do it myself, its their lesson, their experience building, & hopefully never my ego trip. & I'm sure most instructors do the same. If we take the helm all the time, 'novices' will never learn.

In answer to the original question, try to get them to feed the wheel, perhaps eventually anticipating the boats movement & correcting. Loosely holding the wheel rather than 'white nuckle' grip will help.
 
Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

I was referring to their very first time on the helm. Like you I try not to helm at all when teaching.
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I am not sure that I would want to put a novice on the helm trying to sail to windward, or downwind in any sort of sea state.... Novices have enough of a problem steering a straight course when under engine in a flat calm.

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Success breeds success and I would expect any competent crew to be able to sail to windward or downwind with some sort of proficiency by the end of the week.

Furthermore I am convinced that someone is not learning very much if they are standing there just obeying my helm and engine instructions. ie put the boat in astern, left hand down a bit, a bit more, now straighten up -etc etc. In such a situation the student is just being a robot.

However, I come back to my original point - very first time on the helm - I try not to make it too difficult.
 
Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

The one originally produced by Bob Bond in the late 60's - 70's and then developed from their by a succession of National Coaches. John Driscoll did much to develop it to its present format.
It starts off with a "joy ride" and then explores the effect of each sail, rudder and centre/daggerboard.
When the learner first takes the tiller they sail along a beam reach and tack through 180 which obviously takes longer than through 90 and so gives them time to organise their hands on the tiller and mainsheet and swap sides.
Whilst this thread is specifically about wheel steering an offshore yacht - the 180 degree bit from beam reach to beam reach is transferable and without question is the best way of developing steering skills in learners.
 
Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

John, I'm sure we are in agreement here.

I want pupils to enjoy sailing & learn from their stay on a boat and adapt my method according to the individual (they pay good money to get 'hands-on' experience, not to watch instructors being a prima-donnas), which seems to be your approach as well.

Yes, "left hand down a bit" can be a bit robotic, but sometimes this quiet support can be confidence building. An informal debrief (how did you feel that went?) can also help them open up concerns. We who do it all the time, musn't forget that it can be quite intimidating for a novice in such a new environment.
 
Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

Yes - thats all fine - I also wanted to see a fairly quick early success so would sit in the back leeward corner of a Wayfarer and place a strategic knee to prevent the continuous pushing of the tiller and the resulting crab to windward until we get to the 'no-go zone'
 
Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

Agreed.
A hands on approach. Get them doing something as early as possible. Also helps instructor to assess any individual problems.
One of my own definitions of sailing/boating, is that it is 'the practical application of common sense'. I own up & tell pupils that since it is a 'practical' undertaking, we ALL get it wrong sometimes - even instructors. We however, can pretend we meant to do it & turn it into a lesson.
 
Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

Hmm
I once took a boom on the bridge of my nose which was pretty difficult to explain as having meant to do it - I suppose the practical first aid lesson that followed as they attempted to staunch my bleeding was of some value ....
 
Re: One for the Instructors: Learning to helm

Getting it wrong - hmm sometimes I have been so frustrated at watching candidates doing dodgy man over boards under sail that I have said, 'can I have a go' and demonstrated one. Afterwards I realise what a high risk strategy this is. You look a bit of a wally as the examiner if you can't do it yourself. Not intended to be a smartypants - look I can do it, but rather 'lets stop the exam and look at the issues we are trying to address and demonstrate in this exercise'.

Bit like questions - you only ever ask the ones you know the answer to.

Different when you are instructing as you can always admit you got it wrong and go round again... done that as well...
 
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