Request for advice on dispute with RYA school

[Doug_Stormforce]

Did most of my certs with a school that did this. I found it very useful as a YM candidate, as the questions from the CCs helped me to cement my own understanding, and the CCs got a lot of practice in manouvers, as we did rather a lot! Plus once the YM candidates had proved we could helm, the 2 CC candidates spend the rest of the time on the helm, except for manouevers. They definitely got more stick time that way.
I'd never skippered "beginners" before, and I found it a very different challenge, and one that I definitely benefited from.

Understand that it's not the only way to run courses, but to describe it as a rip off is disengenous in my experience.

Flaming

The YM exam is not specifically about skippering beginners, that is something that is covered much more in Instructor training. The YM exam is about an experienced skipper proving he has the experience, can manage the yacht and can make the right decisions.

A good Instructor will make a mixed crew work, he will keep them all busy but in his heart of hearts he will know he is having to compromise someone syllabus somewhere.

 

[capnsensible]

Flaming

The YM exam is not specifically about skippering beginners, that is something that is covered much more in Instructor training. The YM exam is about an experienced skipper proving he has the experience, can manage the yacht and can make the right decisions.

A good Instructor will make a mixed crew work, he will keep them all busy but in his heart of hearts he will know he is having to compromise someone syllabus somewhere.

Gonna have to disagree on this one!

Mixed level crews should not be a problem, and usually the less experienced students learn more.

It does help though if there is less than the maximum 5 on board.

 

[Old Troll]

Old Troll

I find your comments of interest and again it highlights the many ways in which a result can achieved from differing approachs. The CC and DS students always enjoy the cutting edge to the week when YM candidates are onboard and often offer to stay on for the exam. Do you think I would run a sailing course where a person onboard would be disadvantaged, no chance. Plenty of interaction for the crew whilst the YM candidate does their blind nav exercise. I would say that to have four YM candidates onboard would not be my ideal at all and could lead to not being well prepared for the exam. My experience is that an enjoyable week can be had to everyones satisfaction. I would not "run" sailing courses other than that people of all abilities learned and experienced all possible in the time given. Variety onboard is the spice of life and is beneficial to all.

 

[starfire]

I have done it both ways,

an enjoyable prep week with 3 other YM candiates, but a bad exam.

an enjoyable prep week, with a DS & 2 CC, who all stayed to crew for the exam.

From my experience, the CC & DS crew did what they were asked to do, and enjoyed the experience, rather than the other YM's as crew, who did what they thought should be done, not what they were asked.

 

[webcraft]

.
Comp crew and YM prep should go together well. I would say the two that are more challenging to put together are DS and CS as CS needs longer passages while DS benefits from lots of short passages.

- W