OzOne wrote:
It's a bugger when that happens.
I co-owned my first Etchells and the guy thought he was a genius
because his uncle was one of Oz best sailors, tactitians and
navigators, but unfortunately he was hamfisted.

Co-owning can be nice, it cuts the cost... although this particular boat
was still pretty expensive to campaign... and it's easier to come up
with regular crew. We had 5 very enthusiastic regulars, 3 good drivers,
1 learner, and this guy. He was actually very enthusiastic and not so
much stuck on himself as he was forgetful.

One of the keys (IMHO) to becoming a good sailor is to realize that no
race is ever sailed perfectly, there is always more to learn, and that
there are impending mistakes lurking every step of the way.

I know one certain cure for your hamfisted friend. Tie the tiller to
center with shock cord! I sailed with a German youth who was a great
natural skipper... not so much on tactics but I've never seen anybody
who could make a boat go faster... and he barely moved the tiller at
all, except when roll-tacking. It was an education to watch him.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King