What is it......

[bilbobaggins]

...with some people?

Some time ago I was sneered at by peeps - fellow crew members - on an all-carbon racing tri for being the holder of certain RYA 'sustificates' ( including inter alia the mandatory Sea Survival and First Aid at Sea courses ). I also had the right 'sunnies' and that season's Musto colours, but bits of paper.....? That wasn't cool!

Rather more recently, I was sneered at again by a fellow crew member on a very traditional sailboat, for exactly the same sin. Almost needless to say, said individuals had gaps in their know-how wide enough to drive a Ro-Ro ferry through, sideways.

Like many others on here, I was sailing offshore boats quite successfully before the RYA commenced its National Cruising Scheme in the early 70s, and it was another quarter-of-a-century of 'sailing boats successfully' before I ran out of excuses and took my first RYA 'sustificate'. And I hope to have another quarter-of-a-century of successful sailing subsequent to the last of the RYA 'quals' I took.......

Now, I know well enough that the RYA stuff is not the Alpha and Omega of sailing know-how, but I've certainly done the 'Alpha' stuff - I can 'hand, reef and steer' on all sorts of craft and, as Ewan McColl puts it, 'take my turn on watch with the other fellows' - and am clearly a long way down the road to the 'Omega' bits.

So, what is it with some people, and RYA 'sustificates'.....?


/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[davies]

You are so right. Don't worry, the knockers are simply unwilling to run the risk that an examiner might not share their own high opinion of their skills and knowledge.

 

[Aja]

No

I'm feart I might not pass syndrome....

Donald

 

[Sans Bateau]

In our state schools, those who want to learn, can learn and have the qualifications, are sneered at by the unwilling and unruly. The lad or girl who wishes to take on education is often mocked by those who would rather waste their time.

Your a big enough lad Bill, dont let the school bullies get to you!

 

[HoratioHB]

Did the Coastal years ago decided that was all I needed. Circumstances changed and did yachtmaster last year - Agree that it was all a bit by rote but have to admit that it woke me up to how much had forgotten. Not doing them doesn't mean your incompetent but having an attitude about them is showing an alarming ingnorance.

 

[gardenshed]

some feart that they won't pass.
others pass but have no clue about real seamanship, pilotage or common sense

I've been sailing for +30 years and don't hold any certificates, but I don't sneer at those who do & I want to get my yachtmasters one day. How and when I haven't figured out yet, too busy using my limited free time to race & deliver other people's boats and potter around in my own.

what is it with other people? who cares. all they demonstrate is their own falings with their prejudiced/ill infomed opinions.

 

[Slow_boat]

It's not the sustificates but the 'sunnies' and this seasons mustos that could cause me to sneer, if I were that kind of a chap.

Which I'm not, of course.

I might permit myself a wry smile, though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bilbobaggins]

[ QUOTE ]
I might permit myself a wry smile, though

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd rather decided the oiled-wool oft-darned sweater, the rolltop black wellies, the so'wester ( yes, I've still got that! ) and the upside-down clay pipe in the mouth had had their day.....

I mean, what do you expect if you wander into Nauticalia in Bath and say 'I'm going sailing next weekend. What do you recommend....?'

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[bilbobaggins]

I've learned something useful from every RYA Yachtmaster Senior Instructor I've ever met - even if it is only to keep my hands firmly on my wallet and make sure s'he gets sent to the bar with s'his own at least once every weekend.......


/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
I've been sailing for +30 years and don't hold any certificates, but I don't sneer at those who do & I want to get my yachtmasters one day.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have also been sailing for 30+ years, and was a deck officer in the Merchant Navy in a previous life.

Over the past few weeks did Yachtmaster theory, and practical prep and exam on Rogue, (12 tonne Moody 44), and realised just how much I didnt know about handling my big heavy boat. Anchoring and picking up a buoy under sail, MOB, marina handling... you name it. Nav was mostly spot on.

Used to do it for fun on Dragons and in dinghys, but I almost called it quits after 5 days prep..... glad I didnt, but it was a humbling experience... 2 more days sorted me out for the exam, but intend to practice more. Incredibly intense, I learned tons, refreshed tons, got lots of tips about handling and fittings on Rogue, and had a great time.

If I had done Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper previously, most of it would have been old hat......

I would always admire people with YM, but I didnt actually realise just how much.

If anyone wants to knock it - Stuff 'Em!!

 

[photodog]

People who sneer at other people for any reason, are Pinheads.

Gets up my nose that, passing judgement on someone.



You have to be pretty damn insecure to have to jerk up your own self worth by demeaning another person.

I suspect you have nothing to prove!

 

[Steve_R]

I echo many of the sentiments expressed earlier and even though I have gone down the qualifications route, I can understand those who have been and done it without taking the exams.

The bit I don't understand are those who sneered at courses like Sea Survival, because very few can have experienced such a situation. The Sea Survival course includes techniques and information that would not be picked up in the course of normal cruising or racing over a lifetime.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and can't image anyone completing it who wouldn't find it informative.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

simple really ...... because a significant proportion of YM's are not particularly good sailors. ie they've got the theory and the certificate, but not the practical aptitude or experience.

Unfortunately this minority create a poor perception of the scheme as a whole.

 

[Sixpence]

The sea survival course should be top priority to most , but isn't

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]
because a significant proportion of YM's are not particularly good sailors. ie they've got the theory and the certificate, but not the practical aptitude or experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly: certificates alone don't make you a sailor - they merely make you someone with certificates

I've done the whole RYA track some time ago and whilst I have learned many a thing I still use today there's even more RYA gospel I've ditched long since as unpractical or downright stupid.
My wife and eldest did Dazed Kipper not long ago and the best way to describe what they've been taught is "political correct sailing". Do this, do that, always carry this, don't do this...
Bollocks