The Reluctant Sailor - Tips for the Sailing Beginner

Stroll around any marina and you will soon spot the classic sailing characters: the old enthusiast, patiently restoring a wooden shell to its sleek former self; the dedicated racer, tweaking his stripped out, cutting edge craft; or even tanned BMW man, who turns up on sunny weekends to take his latest woman out for a spin in his souped-up power boat.

Move to the bar, and you'll find them easily. The old hand, scruffed down, ready for that all important anti-fouling job. The smart executive, shades in hand, leading an enthusiastic team-building session. Or the sun-bleached student, fresh from his gap year spent taking boats down to the Med.

But what about the rest? What about the unsung sailors? What about those resigned individuals who, worn down after years of hints, huffs and sweet-talking, finally utter the fateful words: 'Oh, for God's sake, alright then!'

In less time than it takes to hoist a mainsail, these women (for they are usually women) find themselves huddled nervously on the deck of a boat, trying to come to terms with the fact that yachts are supposed to tip over, and that this is good thing.

There are a surprising number of these reluctant sailors. Most, like me, would prefer never to set foot on a boat but, driven by the need to see their sailing-mad partners on at least one weekend out of twenty, occasionally venture out onto the water.

In my case, my 'Reluctant Sailor' status comes largely down to a fear of venturing into an alien environment, where I am not in control.

I do not like not being in control. When a yacht tips over, I want to know that it ? that I! ? can do something to correct it. When we are picking our way through a narrow channel, I want to know how to avoid hitting unseen rocks or other boats, and when my children are sitting on deck, I want to know how to rescue them if they fall into the water.

Education is the key and unfortunately this means that I, as the terrified new owner of a yacht, now face the prospect of learning to sail, so that I am not frightened of sailing.

But my reluctance stems not only from fear. There are many other reasons why I have no interest in sailing. It is cold. It is wet. It is usually raining, and always uncomfortable. Be honest now. How many good nights' sleep have you ever had on a yacht?

And yes, while there are around three days out of every year when weather, location and company combine to make sailing a blissful experience, does that really make up for the other 362 days when it is not?

My husband thinks it does. And so, nine years after we exchanged our dinghy for a baby and a pair of patio doors, I have finally relented. We have bought a yacht.

He is happy. The kids are happy. And I?. I have come up with some ground rules to keep me happy?

  • The Force Four Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor will not set foot on the boat if the forecast even hints at winds above force 4. [This rule is an adaption of the existing 12 ° C rule for dinghy sailing]

  • The Sunshine Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor will not go sailing if there is no prospect of sunshine over the period of the sailing expedition.

  • The Anchorage Rule ? No anchorage will be acceptable to the Reluctant Sailor unless it is within 100 metres of a pub/restaurant/hotel, and preferably a small town with a guaranteed escape route.

  • The Fair's Fair Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic will match every week/weekend that the Reluctant Sailor spends sailing with a week/weekend somewhere warm, dry and comfortable - preferably abroad.

  • The Don't Shout Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic must not shout excitedly when asking the Reluctant Sailor to do something. The Reluctant Sailor reserves the right to tell the Sailing Fanatic where to stick his boat if he raises his voice.

  • The Rain Rule ? Unless the presence of the Reluctant Sailor is required on deck to avoid capsize, collision or other near-death experience, the Sailing Fanatic will deal with all work on deck while it is raining. The Reluctant Sailor will be having coffee and Kit-Kat's in the cabin.

  • The Maintenance Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor shall not be expected to maintain the boat under any circumstances. The words 'anti-fouling', 'sanding' and 'painting' are of absolutely no interest to the Reluctant Sailor.

  • The Too Much Time Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic is not allowed to go into a huff when the Reluctant Sailor casually mentions that the Sailing Fanatic has spent the last four weekends 'fiddling with that wretched boat', and that the handsome divorcee from next door has moved in to keep the Reluctant Sailor company.

  • The Packing Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic will keep his mouth firmly closed on the subject of packing for a sailing expedition. The Reluctant Sailor reserves the right to bring along anything and everything needed to sustain her through the ordeal, but will, if pushed, draw the line at the handsome divorcee from next door.

  • The Children Rule ? The Reluctant Sailor will not be solely responsible for entertaining/controlling the children in the cramped and un-child friendly environs of a boat. The Sailing Fanatic wished for a family sailing experience and a family sailing experience he shall get.

  • The Money Rule ? The Sailing Fanatic accepts that once the sailing budget is gone, it is gone. He will just have to wait for that essential bit of kit. Any suggestion that this is not fair will cut no ice with the Reluctant Sailor, who is perfectly aware of her moral high ground on the subject of sailing and money, and will calmly point to the outrageous expense of buying the bloody boat in the first place.

    Helen MacKenzie is a freelance writer. She contributes to the web site at http://www.sea-dreamer.com. The Sea Dreamer web site has articles, guides and news on sailing and cruising on the West Coast of Scotland.

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Cleaning Sails

    Washing SailsOften you will see a beautiful sail boat with... Read More

    Are you Ready for the Cruise of a Lifetime?

    Cruises are one of the best ways to unwind and... Read More

    Silversea Cruises! Committed To Elegance, Luxury, And Gracious Hospitality

    Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is... Read More

    Panama Cruise Expert Guide

    Situated in the country of Panama in Central America is... Read More

    Meguiars RV and Marine Boat Cleaners and Waxes; Test Results

    One of the most famous and popular brands in the... Read More

    Taking A Paddleboat Cruise

    In May my husband and I took a wonderful steamboat... Read More

    Cruising Glacier Bay

    You can watch movies about it, you can hear about... Read More

    Boat Detailing - Final Process in the Reconditioning ? Applying the Protective Sealant on Gel Coat

    It is often recommended that you do not use any... Read More

    Orient Beach Shore Excursions - Beauty on the Beach!

    When cruising to St. Martin (or Sint Maarten), some of... Read More

    Preventing Boat Propeller Injuries

    Each year hundreds of propeller accidents leave tragedy in their... Read More

    Buying a Used Sunfish Sailboat: Know The Ins and Outs Before Sailing Away

    As anyone who's ever bought a used car knows, you... Read More

    The Fabulous New Caribbean Princess Ship

    The magnificent Caribbean Princess ship is the new queen of... Read More

    Alaska Glacier Cruises: Alaska Up Close and Personal

    What do you have in mind for your next vacation?... Read More

    Family Reunion Cruises - Something Everyone Can Live With

    The mere thought of getting together for a family reunion... Read More

    Keep Cruising and Keep Traveling - It is Safe

    In the time that has followed since the tragic events... Read More

    Marina Dock Cleaning Equipment

    Docks needs to be routinely pressure washed or they become... Read More

    Airboats - The Right Boat For Many People

    The state of Florida is filled with lakes, swamps and... Read More

    Buying the Perfect Boat

    Why is it, that when you are looking to buy... Read More

    The Nile Cruise

    Egypt is where history first emerged. It is here that... Read More

    Sailing Hints & Tips

    I spend almost all my summers sailing around the Greek... Read More

    What To Expect - My 1st Cruise Experience

    Some years ago my wife and I decided to take... Read More

    Bermuda Cruise Expert Guide

    At just twenty-one square miles in size, the island of... Read More

    The Merchant Navy and the Internet

    A web site dedicated to the writings of the sea,... Read More

    Whos Looking Out For Your Boat When Your Not There?

    Over 72 million Americans participated in recreational boating in 2003... Read More

    Exploring the Exotic - Antarctica Cruise

    Antarctica is one of the great unexplored areas of the... Read More

    Water Molecule Alignment for Increased Speed In the Water

    A submarine can move faster thru the water if the... Read More

    Those Ellusive Crab and Prawn Traps

    If you are a boater, in particular a sea or... Read More

    The History of Water Sports

    Swimming is noted in many of the classics as relating... Read More

    Amazon Cruise Expert Guide

    An Amazon cruise is the ultimate jungle adventure. From the... Read More

    Family Cruise and Family Cruises

    Family cruises are a special time for families to connect... Read More

    Crossing Paths With a Legend

    When 13-year-old Bill Lefakinis first visited the famed yacht Christina... Read More

    Update April 2005 - Holland America Cruises, Signature of Excellence Program

    Holland America Cruise Lines has initiated a program of up-scaling... Read More

    Cruising with the Mouse ? Disney Cruise Line

    There's magic in everything that team Disney touches and their... Read More