JimH wrote:
How many times have you offered the helm to a guest (or inexperienced
boater) when having to attend to something down below, especially in open
water?


Not sure about those exact circumstances, but I'm pretty free about
letting other people take the helm. Contrary to popular belief, it's not
at all difficult or dangerous to drive a boat... you just have to know
what to look out for.

I *always* carefully keep watch over all circumstances around the boat,
whether I'm at the helm or not. When a guest is steering, I will point
things out, whether interesting scenery or a potential hazard. If there
is some particular way the boat should be handled, I'll give calm clear
instructions and ask if they can do it... and if they are too nervous
then I'll take over without any criticism. I try to make it enjoyable
for all, and educational for those who are interested enough.

An example... some time ago I invited a friend & fellow sailor...
although of a bit less experience than myself... to skipper our boat
during a race. I was acting as crew & tactician & navigator & advisor...
trying to avoid being overbearing... we did quite well and both had a
great time, and I noticed (my wife actually commented on this, too) that
he started doing better in races in his own boat!


Here is a real life story that should give you some caution when doing so.

===============================================
From Boat US Magazine, March 2005:
..... A few
minutes later a second train came tearing down the tracks and slammed into
the boat."
================================================== ====

I wonder if the insurance agent burst out laughing.

Fair Skies
Doug King