AndrewB
Well-known member
Re: Practical v Theory
Quite right, I groan inwardly on hearing someone describe themself as a Yachtmaster (theory). The theory course is useful but any assumption that it makes someone capable of skippering is very foolish. A Yachtmaster is essentialy a practical test. It is possible to pass without attending the theory course or doing the examination at all, other than a few additional questions during the practical.
I did my Yachtmaster many years ago and support your view of the excellence (then, certainly) of Southern Sailing School's course. The five day prep was a pleasure, utterly refuting any presumption that 20 years sailing teaches all you need to know!
It didn't prepare us though for the stress of the actual examination, a really tense and unpleasant two days though no fault of the examiner. Afterwards, I questioned him why I had passed despite two glaring and elementary errors. "Oh well, exams are pretty artificial and stressful affairs, I wouldn't expect you to make those mistakes normally."
And have I? Well .... never THOSE errors.
Quite right, I groan inwardly on hearing someone describe themself as a Yachtmaster (theory). The theory course is useful but any assumption that it makes someone capable of skippering is very foolish. A Yachtmaster is essentialy a practical test. It is possible to pass without attending the theory course or doing the examination at all, other than a few additional questions during the practical.
I did my Yachtmaster many years ago and support your view of the excellence (then, certainly) of Southern Sailing School's course. The five day prep was a pleasure, utterly refuting any presumption that 20 years sailing teaches all you need to know!
It didn't prepare us though for the stress of the actual examination, a really tense and unpleasant two days though no fault of the examiner. Afterwards, I questioned him why I had passed despite two glaring and elementary errors. "Oh well, exams are pretty artificial and stressful affairs, I wouldn't expect you to make those mistakes normally."
And have I? Well .... never THOSE errors.
