The great YM debate.

[Cornishman]

Re: It\'s the name

To distinguish the skipper of a yacht from the skipper of a ship, or Master Mariner. They are both in command, usually of a crew as well as the vessel, which isn't quite the same as the car driver.

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[Peppermint]

Re: So you want to be a Yachtmaster

What will stand you in better stead, experience or an open mind.

I think arrogance only comes with closed minds. Know it all yachtmasters are ten a penny at any age or degree of experience.

So provided the low mileage youngsters understand that there is always something to learn at this game they'll be OK. Won't they?

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[Hurleyburly]

Re: Pause for thought

I was totally against compulsory certification until a few minutes ago when I decided to go over to the MoBo section for a root around, where I found the owner and skipper of a 44' M/Y with 720 HP asking what a seacock was !!!

It scares me to even contemplate the fact that those sort of people are out there.

In Italy you need a licence for anything with more than 25HP, let alone almost 30 times that.

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[charles_reed]

I fear

You'll find a number of sailboat owners with the same level of knowledge - I have come across one or two.

This level of ignorance is impossible in France - just as having to have a licence and having passed a test is necessary to drive a car, so it is with a boat.

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[BrendanS]

Re: Pause for thought

Far better to be here on the forums asking questions and receiving answers than remaining in ignorance. Slamming people for asking questions is hardly going to encourage other new members to ask questions in case they too get pilloried

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[stevebirch2002]

Hi

As one of the Letter writers to Yachting Monthly I would like to restate my meaning. I was surprised by the fact that the YachtMaster mentioned that the skipper expected too much from his crew. If I had a YachtMaster as crew I would be over the moon, whether fastrack or normal but I must restate that any YachtMaster that has never been out in anything over a F6 should indeed get some more experience and any supposed Course that keeps its' candidates in port if the forecast was F6 or above should rethink their remit. My letter to YM was chopped and edited, as is their want, so the above was not mentioned.

Kind Regards Steve Birch

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi
The article in question that I replied to stated that the candidates were not allowed out of port or shelter in anything F6 or above. I think this was the main part of my Letter to the Editor (YM December). I am sure there are both and good yachtmasters, fasttrack & normal, but I expect the training establishments to throw everything they can at the potential YM canidates.

Kind Regards Steve Birch

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[tome]

Re: Pause for thought

Spot on Brendan. Lest we forget, we all learned from experience and we've all started from scratch at some point. Give the man a break - he may well learn quickly what's taken some a long time just by asking a simple question.

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[MainlySteam]

Re: Pause for thought

I assume from your comment that in Italy for the licence you actually get tested on the component parts of a vessel and, for example, what a seacock is.

Perhaps you can tell us exactly what the Italian licence requires as far as knowledge is concerned - I am ignorant of what their requirements are and would be interested to learn.

John

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[goupil]

Re: French licence :

In France a licence is compulsory for a Motor boat if the engine is more than 6 HP but you can sail around the world without any exam.
Legislator "common sense" seems to have been : sailboat owners got some training in sailing schools or with friends. Not always true.
IMHO : experience and open mind are the main factors to improve your sailing, BUT you save a lot of time with fastrack training as long as you consider the YM cetificate for a step not an achievment.

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[stephenh]

On passing my driving test ( many years ago) my instructor said to me
" I have taught you how to pass the exam, now you have to learn to drive and with luck and common sense you will carry on learning for the rest of your driving life"
I feel that this applies to the YM setup too.

Stephen (YM and still with an awful lot to learn ...)

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