Arwen Lune wrote:

Well I promised you a post about sailing didn't I...

First off, I'm a complete novice. Been on a few day sails and loved
it, but we're not really near enough to water to do it often and
sailing just isn't in the family.

Thing is...

I'm contemplating a sailing trip for the summer, a week sailing on
a squarerigger with the Tall Ships Youth Trust. However, I have, or
rather have had, RSI (repetitive strain injury for those who
wonder). I am healed now and fully functioning again, but my hands
will always be a bit of a weak point. I am a bit worried about how
much this will be a problem on board.

I'd like to hear some input from you people, especially those who
have sailed on a tall ship and/or with the Youth Trust. If you have
healthy hands, did yours ever hurt from the work? (I don't mean
blisters, but internal) What is the hardest/heaviest tasks you
performed? Do you think my hands will give me much trouble during
the trip?

I'm fully functioning again in daily life; one of the few things
that give me trouble are holding something small (like needles) for
a length of time (I squeeze too hard, apparently) and things like
holding a heavy pan in one hand while drying it off with the other.

I'd love to go sailing but it is very expensive for me (am not a
British native so cannot get sponsoring) and if I'm going to spend
that money, I'd like to be reasonably confident about being able to
handle the work!

Anyone have advice, tips, experiences, etc? Would be much
appreciated.


Cheers,
Arwen Lune


Give it a go. The OYT are very used to making allowances for people with
much more dibilitating conditions than RSI, and will allow you to do things
at a pace that suits you. I personally cant think of a better way to get
on the water if you have the opportunity, (and the cash!). As for tall
ships... I'd love to hear about your experiences when you return, as it's
always been an ambition of mine.

Handling small objects, or taking large amounts of strain on one hand (ie.
the panhandle) are not necessarily things you will encounter during
sailing. Most rope work involves linear forces where you are exherting a
pulling force in the same direction of the sheet (rope)... Saying that, I
can't think of any situation where you would exert large fulcrum forces,
apart from perhaps cleating off a sheet where a little bit more wrist force
is can be a bonus!)

Good luck with it.

PG

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of hot air associated with these bores.
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