Tom Cunliffe

deep denial

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10 Mar 2006
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I had TC giving me some training in my boat on Friday. A really nice bloke, down to earth, full of common sense and good advice. I can thoroughly recommend him for tuition!
 
I agree. Many years ago when he was at the National Sailing Centre in Cowes he was the Instructor/Examiner for my Yachtmaster's week. I still consider myself very fortunate to have sailed with him.
 
If its not impolite to ask, how do his fees for one to one tuition stack up?

I'm considering getting some advice from an old salt on techniques for handling a somewhat stubborn boat short handed, and TC sounds like just the chap
 
Came across him once in our marina. It was a Friday afternoon and a boat was approaching its berth, we were sat in our cockpit having a cuppa. SWMBO, always ready to help, and being a dab hand with the mooring warps leapt into action. Standing by the shrouds the bemused female crew insisted that she didn't need any help. SWMBO returned to our boat feeling a bit dejected. We continued our cuppa.

After a few minutes the man himself arrived at our boat, explaining that they were taking photos for a YM article on husband and wife crews. He apologised that SWMBOs help was dismissed, but did point out that she had turned up for duty right in sight of the cameras.

We watched them do it again. SWMBOs photos didn't make YM!
 
After a few minutes the man himself arrived at our boat, explaining that they were taking photos for a YM article on husband and wife crews. He apologised that SWMBOs help was dismissed, but did point out that she had turned up for duty right in sight of the cameras.

We watched them do it again. SWMBOs photos didn't make YM!

Friend of mine had Tom aboard for a bit of instruction, and he (TC) took a few snaps whilst he was there.

Few weeks later the friend gets an email asking if it was ok to use one of the snaps for the cover of the "Complete Yachtmaster" :cool:

Fame, but no fortune!

R
 
Went to a Long Term Cruising Symposium where his after dinner speech was the second funniest thing to happen there.

The funniest being the attempts to waken the guy who fell asleep with taps running and flooded the whole accomodation block.

IMHO one of the good guys but a masochist and a slow learner, why, it took him 15 years of sailing that 1911 Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter to realise that there are alternative boats.
 
The complete day skipper

Recently bought this book and it is easily the most accessible book on sailing that I have ever read. Emphasis on getting out on the water as quickly and safely as possible and learning on the job. My only regret is that I haven't got a boat yet to practice on so had to content myself with reading the text ans sailing in my head.

Ian
 
Has humour as well

He always replies to my emails that I send him, which I respect. Has a very good instructional style that many can learn from.

Enjoyed his contribution in the Johnny Walker Pirate Radio Ship series earlier this year on Radio 2 when he played the part of the ship's Captain. Based the character on his alter-ego Spike Marlin. Demonstrates he has humour as well, which is sadly lacking amongst the majority of sailing intructors these days.
 

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