awol
Well-Known Member
Re: Family sailing version. Comments very welcome.
I took two 18 year olds out yesterday afternoon prior to racing in the evening. Experience - elementary dinghy course in Toppers.
So I briefed them from stern to bow and all points in between. Engine starting - after some interesting attempts we generated a mnemonic for ropes, gear, stop button (sea-cock was on), switch and start (+ dire threats should they turn off the switch with the engine running) and they managed that after the race as well. Fender and bucket rescues require a knowledge of how the boat handles. Their attempts were too fast under sail; furling genny and under engine they were much better. As for the rest, I reckon it will only come with practice - fire drills (actually pulling the extinguishers out of their holders and miming the firing), rigging failure drills, a fright with the gas (it was seeing the remains of an exploded boat that made me paranoid), using the radio as a means of communication (a quick attempt with handheld to fixed showed no immediate grasp of PTT operation but they got the idea quite quickly), abandon ship practice, etc..
I guess it boils down to competence and a duty of care on my part not to fall overboard, have a heart attack, bang my head, drink too much, take drugs etc. and to encourage those that show aptitude.
I took two 18 year olds out yesterday afternoon prior to racing in the evening. Experience - elementary dinghy course in Toppers.
So I briefed them from stern to bow and all points in between. Engine starting - after some interesting attempts we generated a mnemonic for ropes, gear, stop button (sea-cock was on), switch and start (+ dire threats should they turn off the switch with the engine running) and they managed that after the race as well. Fender and bucket rescues require a knowledge of how the boat handles. Their attempts were too fast under sail; furling genny and under engine they were much better. As for the rest, I reckon it will only come with practice - fire drills (actually pulling the extinguishers out of their holders and miming the firing), rigging failure drills, a fright with the gas (it was seeing the remains of an exploded boat that made me paranoid), using the radio as a means of communication (a quick attempt with handheld to fixed showed no immediate grasp of PTT operation but they got the idea quite quickly), abandon ship practice, etc..
I guess it boils down to competence and a duty of care on my part not to fall overboard, have a heart attack, bang my head, drink too much, take drugs etc. and to encourage those that show aptitude.
