Doug,

Having worked beside and for 100's of skippers I can tell you when the
**** hit the fans having courage can save you and your crews life. And
a coward can get you all killed.

We were talking about "outstanding Skippers" not just good or OK
skippers or average weekend trawler Captn's

Jolly Rogers is right... that sometimes the bravest thing to do is
refuse to do the job, but he is dead wrong when he left out batteling
the elements. Many times Ive seen "Outstanding Skippers " as you guys
would call them fall into the weekend warrior status due to not have
the courage to tackle the task at hand.

Has nothing to do with going out and acting macho IMO.

And I would not sail with anyone who makes declarations that he's never
afraid. I do not like liars. And if he's never been afraid at sea, then
he hasen't been to sea long enough to know sqwat .....and is no one I
would trust.

The most courage you can see is a man or woman doing his or her job
despite the fear.
Thats what makes them "Outstanding" IMO.

Joe