Sailing Course

4 April 2010

We got back from our “Coastal Skipper practical” late last night. I was sadly disappointed by the whole experience. I did however, take away the most important information I could have hoped to get…we can sail around the world with our current experience and be just fine, that we were correct in our decision to go on a catamaran and that we will have the time of our lives. Pack the bags, board the boat, see you on the water matey!


We went on this course hoping to gain some valuable catamaran sailing experience, unfortunately our trainer spent the 6 days trying to keep everything a secret, prove anything we thought incorrect (often placing us in dangerous situations) and spending more time sulking in the saloon than anything else.

Things we did not appreciate included words like “No, we won’t tack along the shore line because I am too lazy”. “It is too much work to do ….” And the ever so professional and training like statement of “Fine, learn the hard way, do whatever you want”.

I may not be a sailing instructor but running aground while at anchor, sailing wing on wing whilst you are on a broad reach and dropping all your anchor chain and rode even whilst anchoring in 1.7m of water (at high tide) within 3 metres of the shore shows more than a little inexperience…or was it that our particular instructor had a chip on his shoulder and did not like that we had already had sail training from a professional and competent sailing school sailing school and actually had some knowledge, perhaps a lot more than he had intended or was able to teach.


When we suggested anchoring in slightly deeper water, he went closer to the side. When we suggested the sails be set up differently he tied more lines in an attempt to keep then where he had them and when we tried to put out 3 – 5 times scope for the anchor he dropped the full rode. Every time trying to “be correct” or “prove us wrong”. Whatever he was trying to do it made the 6 days almost unbearable, especially since we were the only 2 “students”. He even told us we would capsize the catamaran in a mere 8 knots of wind if we sheeted the main in hard. Luckily for him my children were not on board as I would not have been able to hold my tongue when risking my children’s lives.

On the other hand I am glad to be home with my kids and preparations are back in full swing. We are down a month now standing at 8 months to full time live aboard. My list for the next week includes home schooling stationery sets, checking in on the boat haul out date, together with a doctor’s appointment to discuss the various vaccinations and prescriptions we will be needing.

Over the past year I have been making a list of all the medicines we have used, including a few we have not but might likely need, together with a little research on the internet as to the vaccinations requirements and suggestions for the many countries we will be visiting. Most vaccinations remain active for 10 years and have a period of a few days to a few weeks before becoming effective. Some require more than 1 dose at intervals of a few weeks and some can be administered together. We will discuss all of these with our doctor and let him advise the best course of action to take in terms of timing, possible side effects and effectiveness. Luckily both the boys recently had a measles vaccination due to an outbreak in the area and Kyle even went so far as to say “I love injections.” The statement “I laugh in the face of danger” comes to mind so we are good to go from that side.

We received a letter inviting Barry and I to a special assembly on the 16th of April for the Top 10 assembly for Rauen, he never fails to impress me with his dedication, diligence and effort. This kids deserves all he has coming. Well done boy! (Again)

It is also Kyle’s birthday this week so celebrations seem to be the order of the day, my youngest child is officially in double digits. Happy, Happy birthday boy, hope you love the gift and its perfect for the yacht too!