"Andy" wrote in message
ups.com...
Jack Dale wrote:
On 27 Dec 2005 15:12:16 -0800, "Andy"
wrote:

Why do you say we were very lucky? What exactly does one need
a lot of
experience with before going coastal cruising that can't be
learned
from books?

Docking under power and sail

I mentioned earlier in this thread that docking is one of the
things I
think is best learned from an instructor.

snipped, but you listed other elements easier learned from
instructors

Andy,

I support your views completely. Thanks for airing the pragmatic
approach to learning to sail. Dangerous thing to do in this forum!

One factor others in this thread have ignored is that some people
learn best from books, then exploring for themselves, while others
learn best by seeing and doing under supervision. The latter group
are served by some who will criticise you - but let's remember
they have a vested interest in increasing the demand for their
market.

Another factor ignored is that a lot depends on where a sailor
first gained experience. It's very easy to learn (for instance) in
the Mediterranean in the summer in a sheltered area such as the
Inland Ionian Sea (no tides, light winds, no weather, no swell,
only one dangerous under water rock to hit) After 24 hours of
instruction you can send Mr and Mrs average out to skipper
their own 30ft yacht - under daily supervision. It's quite another
thing to learn sailing around the Channel Islands in the English
Channel (5kt tide streams, 9m tidal range, thousands of hidden
rocks requiring tight pilotage in sometimes poor visibility, and a
good swell to boot). Instruction with these complicating factors
is a lot slower, and exposure to variations a lot more important.

And these two groups are pretty intolerant of each other's style
of learning, though both are valid.

A third factor ignored is that *everyone* extends their experience
from their first 'instruction' (book or on water). What matters is
how they extend their experience; responsibly (with some fear, and
the knowledge that there's a lot to learn?) or irresponsibly (full
of confidence that they've learnt most of it?).

On extending experience: about half my (yachtmaster) examination
candidates had attended full courses, and about half presented
themselves as 'experienced'. A few of the total didn't meet
acceptable standards. 'Course' candidate failures were mainly
those who'd be difficult to teach to drive a car - lacking the
ability to puzzle out a new situation under stress. More sea time
was
the cure. 'Experienced' candidate failures stemmed mainly from not
reading through the syllabus being examined; gross omissions -
such as believing that racing rules were good enough knowledge to
pass for colregs! Their solution was to humble themselves by
reading the syllabus and boning up on the gaps in their knowledge.

JimB