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On 10 Jan 2005 09:24:39 -0800, wrote:
I also am having him read the first Hornblower novel as both
literature, geography and history. Of course, I re-read it myself and
then ask written questions.
You should give him the Patrick O'Brien novels. There's a movie tie-in
and one of the leads has to have nautical terms explained to him all
the time: you guys can find the modern sailboat equivalents of
tall-ship nomenclature.
I think also (if you think he's ready) that you let him not only plot
a course, but steer it, allowing for set, drift, etc. and using
pilotage skills from common sense (bubbles say one knot, knotmeter
says three), and from the charts, sailing directions, cruising guides,
etc. Turn off the GPS and let him get from anchor to anchor. Let him
order you around when it comes to sail handling. At 14, this will
probably amuse him greatly, and you can pick an appropriate route
(safe or obvious maybe?) and just monitor his decisions. Don't comment
AT ALL unless he's sailing into danger: save it for a recap after you
get there.
That will probably really get him involved, if he's going to get
involved beyond the "party on a boat" level.
R.
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