Special marks

[rotrax]

Yes after many years of sail training in my little 21ft boat I conclude that practical training is about just getting the student on to the boat and have them discover for themselves how things should be done. Yachting Australia would dictate how a person winches in a jib sheet. But in my opinion on a small boat it is a question of how the crew positions them selves that is comfortable. I like to face the winch square knees pressed on edge of seat. Others find it more comfortable sitting winching sideways. I like to, let them discover what suits best. YA says one foot on floor one on seat facing forward. Doesn't suit me.
On another question of how to handle main sheet in a gybe. YA dictate pull the sheet in as boom passes overhead then release to let the friction of the tackle slow the boom down. Fine for a big boat. I find it best on.a small boat to grab the bulk of the sheet tackle and pull it across cushioning the arrival at the other side. In practice the gybe is normally just let it swing across. ok for a small boat.
So much of training is about discovery. Of course you have to guide to avert harm in some cases. But there is no place for a dictator. Sail training is an interesting art often beyond just being a good sailor. ol'will
'

Exactly, hours on the water is the essential bit. In your own boat.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I must admit to considering it safe to go the wrong side of a buoy given that the ship used to install the buoy is a lot bigger than me and its skipper isn’t going to get that close to danger. However that doesn’t mean I would be very far on the wrong side ( a hand full of metres perhaps). On the other hand small buoys need small boats to install and therefore need more respect.

The buoys marking the intricate channel to where I berth are laid by the work boat of the local boatyard, which draws a lot less than I do. They are laid at high tide, so at low tide may be some distance from their nominal position. The edge of the channel is quite steep. All this results in yachts that try to go the wrong side of these buoys going aground on a regular basis.

 

[dunedin]

The buoys marking the intricate channel to where I berth are laid by the work boat of the local boatyard, which draws a lot less than I do. They are laid at high tide, so at low tide may be some distance from their nominal position. The edge of the channel is quite steep. All this results in yachts that try to go the wrong side of these buoys going aground on a regular basis.

Yes, as ever, the answer to whether it is safe to pass the wrong side of a navigation buoy is …… it depends, so check the chart.

Sometimes there may be no safe water the other side. In other places the buoy is for deep ships and you can pass a mile or so inside. Just know which applies before trying!

 

[Mark-1]

Yes, as ever, the answer to whether it is safe to pass the wrong side of a navigation buoy is …… it depends, so check the chart.

Yeah, all a bouy tells you is a position. We're all free to make our own interpretations of what to do, unless there are local regulations.

Indeed, sometimes the local regulations force you to take a bouy the wrong side. (Small boat channel into P'Mth you leave reds to Starboard.)