Tag Archives: points of sail

Covering the various points of sail – close hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, run

Taking the Yachtmaster Coastal Exam

I’m traveling back from Plymouth having, early this morning, completed and passed my RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam. It’s been a tough week with challenging weather that limited the preparation somewhat. On reflection I think I enjoyed the exam but at the time that wouldn’t have been the right word. I felt pretty stressed throughout the 8 hours and under a consistent pressure throughout. Continue reading Taking the Yachtmaster Coastal Exam

First skippered Channel crossing

I elected to skipper my first Channel crossing from Gosport to Cherbourg. My reasoning was that this would be a daytime passage whereas skippering a first Channel crossing at night would be pushing it. Since acquiring my day skipper ticket I’d logged around 1,300 miles – a good proportion of that as skipper. So I felt ready – what could possibly go wrong? Continue reading First skippered Channel crossing

Mechanical failure is very stressful

We sailed from Zakynthos to Poros today and after about 2 hours on a single close hauled tack headed in exactly the right direction decided to take the sails down so we could have a late lunch as we motored in for the final hour. Helen rightly preferred to prepare and eat lunch with the boat level rather than heeled over! Continue reading Mechanical failure is very stressful