Sail (re) Training

Danny_Labrador

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SWMBO and I are paying for a day out with a professional instructor on the Humber estuary in two weeks time as a means of “brushing up” on our practical sailing skills prior to our main summer holiday chartering off the coast of Italy this year.
In the teams considered opinion what practical skills should we place most of the emphasis on ?
 

tcm

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Re: Stern-to mooring

forget calculating tides i spose!

Your italian charterboat will be likely moored stern towards the quayside, and at this time of year jammed in amongst a lot of others. As you take the boat out, the remaining boats will relax so that to get back in, you have to jam the boat in sternwards, and create a space again. I can't see how this can be practised in the humber.

Otherwise, shout at each other demonstrably such that your shrugs, exclamations etc are audible and obvious 100 yards away.
 

Danny_Labrador

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Don’t worry about qualifications – I have an ICC, Day Skipper and Yacht Master / Coastal Skipper (theory) – the emphasis is on PRACTICAL skill enhancement.
 

alant

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Since its the Med,
(1) stern-too mooring is a must, so get plenty of practice going backwards (under engine).
(2) anchoring (& weighing) - hopefully with a powered windlass. Leaving anchorage under sail perhaps (at least getting the main up before weighing (can be done at leisure in the shelter of a cala or bay - you may have imbibed a local spa water during lunch).
(3) Spotting & avoiding local Italian powerboat traffic (forget any IRPCS rules, they ignore them).

As well as the above, get practised at hoisting sails & reefing.
 

MASH

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On the subject of Mediterranean mooring, everyone seems to talk about "stern to" in this context. Bear in mind it is equally posible to moor bow to as well. Advantages; more privacy on board, arguably easier control over boat as you moor, and unmooring in reverse is pretty simple, more water draft under bow if uncertain of shape of bottom close to a quay or beach - particularly when you are late in and only places are on the bitter ends of a quay where there may be more rock ballast under the wall. This works equally well with fixed lazylines or your own kedge. So practice use of kedge (if the charter boat has one of course.) I often use this method for a short stop in good weather as the kedge is easier to handle being lighter, comes up easily and I can swim a bowline ashore to a rock or tree.

Suggest also practice maneuvering in fwd and reverse in confined spaces for those busy marinas - particularly in reverse!

Have fun!
 
B

bob_tyler

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If anchoring Bow or Stern to ALWAYS buoy the anchor or take a diving suit with you. Fouled anchors are common.
 

TonyD

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Re: Buoyed Anchors

Whilt I do not disagree with your advice, I have never seen it done or found a charter boat equipped for doing this. Few provide any spare lines or fenders which could be used.

Have you found differently and if so, in what area of the Med? Which charter company did you use?

Tony
 

Stevie_T

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Re: Buoyed Anchors

I would in general agree with Bob, it is worth bouying your anchor, but of course the line mst be attached in such away that it 'trips' it.

On Med charter holidays I have rarely bothered, even in the maddest of circumstances, but on my first ever week, we anchored stern to in Fiskardo Cephalonia. Next morning (Saturday) we had to get the boat back to the charter base, it was blowing a force 8-9 with 9's forecast straight into the harbour, but the sea was fairly flat so we decided to go for it. Casting off it was immediately obvious our anchor was caught on the chain of a large steel ferry.
There we were bobbing around helpless with our stern feet from the ferry.

The whole town it seemed came out to watch, or laugh probably. I then had this great inspiration, tie a trip line to the kedge anchor and lower it down and catch the ferry anchor chain, lower our bower anchor off then trip the kedge.

Hey presto, ended up with both of them stuck!! And the crowds getting bigger now and crew from some Belgian boat shouting because we were moving there boat around as they had laid there kedge about 200 meters right across ours. (stuff 'em).

So, got the mask and snorkel out, dived down to 6 meters, just made it. Released them both in half a second. Back on board, towel down, lets get out of here.

So...... caught anchors and bad tempers you can expect, trip line on your anchor is a good idea though not many bother. Mask fins snorkel a must, as long as its not too deep, if it was my own boat I would have diving gear on board.
 

Shakey

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I notice that contributors have mentioned Italians. My experiences of Italians in the Med (OK, Greek waters) is that come August the place is full of arrogant little shouty men in RIBS and small powerboats who have little understanding of rules of the road.

As a flotilla skipper I was verbally threatened, given the fig sign , given the cuckold sign, informed that I had unnatural relations with my mother or with my non-existent sister.

Funnily enough once I was on shore the protaganists were nowhere to be seen.

Don't worry about it, anchors can be uncrossed reasonably easily without diving in most circumstances, enjoy your holiday.
 

Melody

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Re: Buoyed Anchors

Bouyed anchors are not on in a busy harbour. We Med-moor several times a week for about nine months of the year and get a fouled anchor about once a month. Very rarely have to go into the water. Some pointers:

1. Have a good look at where the chains of the other yachts are before you moor. Try to drop your anchor so you are perpendicular to pier, and parallel with the lines of anchors of yachts already moored there.

2. When leaving don't drive away from the quay - the weight of the chain will pull you forward. There shouldn't be any need to drive around the harbour either - bring the chain up gently and you won't drag your anchor onto things. Motor yachts are particularly guilty of this one - they steam around and get caught up in all sorts of things.

3. Learn how to unfoul using ropes - NEVER try to hold an anchor on a boathook. You'll have to look at each situation as it occurs but its normally possible to hold the fouled chain or anchor, drop yours again, motor slightly (only if necessary) then bring it up again.

4. Have someone ready to get into the dinghy to help you out if necessary.

Best tip for succesful Italian moorings - have an attractive girl in small bikini on the bow as you come in. When you reverse give her a mooring line (teach her how to throw it properly please) and you'll find LOTS of willing helpers.

Cheers
 

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