DSK wrote:

Nav wrote:

.... I agree with you Doug.


Well golly, that's made my week... wait'll I tell my Mom...


Well it's a serious question and I agree with you. Are you surprised you
knew/guessed the best (IMHO) answer?

:P

Cheers

Nav wrote:
Well it's a serious question and I agree with you. Are you surprised you
knew/guessed the best (IMHO) answer?

I neither "knew" nor guessed, just described what I would (probably) do.
Since I have been in a similar situation, that affects my judgement.

I am surprised that you agree, I am not surprised that you think in
terms of "right" and "best" answers as though sailing was some sort of
academic exercise where theory & book-learning counts for more than
actual ability.

DSK

DSK wrote:

Nav wrote:

Well it's a serious question and I agree with you. Are you surprised
you knew/guessed the best (IMHO) answer?


I neither "knew" nor guessed, just described what I would (probably) do.
Since I have been in a similar situation, that affects my judgement.

I am surprised that you agree, I am not surprised that you think in
terms of "right" and "best" answers as though sailing was some sort of
academic exercise where theory & book-learning counts for more than
actual ability.


So you don't think it's the "best (IMHO)" answer? What is a better
answer? Please don't tell us you are muddled and unable to judge merit
among choices! This would never do for a skipper. As for my thinking
about sailing as an academic exercise your are quite wrong.
Nevertheless, your dislike of education shows. Frankly many things can
be better learnt from others and "book-learning" is an important
tool/medium for achieving this -ask any qualified ships master.
Knowledge forearms all and even those who only seem learn from practical
repitition, would be better off for some "book-learning" -IMHO of course.

Cheers

Nav wrote:
So you don't think it's the "best (IMHO)" answer?

I neither know nor care what the "best" answer is, in your humble
opinion. It's a stupid way to think about sailing. There is no right
answer, there is no best answer... only things that work and things that
fail. Some methods & tactics work well, some do not... but no single
action will always be "right" or "best" irregardless of conditions.



Nevertheless, your dislike of education shows.

I don't dislike education, what I dislike is your pedantic sneering.

... Frankly many things can
be better learnt from others

Like manners?

... and "book-learning" is an important
tool/medium for achieving this -ask any qualified ships master.

Agreed.

DSK

DSK wrote:

Nav wrote:

So you don't think it's the "best (IMHO)" answer?


I neither know nor care what the "best" answer is, in your humble
opinion. It's a stupid way to think about sailing. There is no right
answer, there is no best answer... only things that work and things that
fail. Some methods & tactics work well, some do not... but no single
action will always be "right" or "best" irregardless of conditions.


For a limited range of outcomes optimization of outcome is always best.
You should know this -it's a fundamental tenet of good engineering
practice isn't it?


Nevertheless, your dislike of education shows.

I don't dislike education, what I dislike is your pedantic sneering.


But sneering is only possible when there is an object of contempt.

... Frankly many things can be better learnt from others

Like manners?


Yes, indeed.

Cheers

Nav wrote:
For a limited range of outcomes optimization of outcome is always best.

In theory, yes.

In practice, when the stuff hits the fan, there is no time to draw up a
flow chart and calculate a risk/benefit chart.

You should know this -it's a fundamental tenet of good engineering
practice isn't it?

I also know a lot of very smart engineers who make poor sailors. They
tend to over-analiyze everything and either take no action or try to
change their action in mid-course. Doctors are worse. The way to skipper
a boat is to be able quickly conceive a plan and follow it through,
whether it is "best" or not.

In theory, there's no difference between practice and theory.
In practice, there is.

DSK