wrote in message
...
On Feb 29, 7:13 am, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:
... I have always held that you learn more in an hour's racing than you
do in a
season's cruising. ...

But, what you learn isn't all that helpful in cruising...

I grew up racing on boats. My folks stowed me aboard our old IOD
while racing within weeks of my birth (or so I'm told). I love to
race and I cherish the time I've spend racing. But, when I took up
full time cruising I came to realize that while sail trim and boat
handling are useful they aren't critical and they are only a tiny part
of what a competent cruiser needs to know. Actually, unlearning to
race has proven one of the biggest challenges to cruising for me.

-- Tom.

Sure, I wasn't implying that full-time cruisers don't no how to sail. There
are lots of aspects to cruising that you don't learn while racing. I think
back to when I started racing and I guess it was being amongst very
experienced older guys that taught me most of the tricks, not just the
racing scene per se.

Cruising sailors probably don't get the opportunity to enjoy such an intense
learning experience, but acquire knowledge over a longer period of time.

Fact is, we are all still learning, even at 76! I don't remember going for a
sail when I didn't pick up at least one new idea! Long may it continue.


Dennis.