THE SKILLS OF COASTAL SEAMANSHIP
Seamanship, island landings, and exploration.
ON BOARD PATIENCE B.
- ANDY OLDMAN — AUGUST 31–SEPTEMBER 6
In this course, Andy Oldman provides experienced sailors with a unique opportunity to sharpen their boat-handling skills in the challenging and intriguing environment of the Maine coast.
We will begin with a review and practice of handling Andy’s lovely and widely traveled boat, the 36' ketch PATIENCE, under sail and power. Andy continually emphasizes safety, fitness, and the constant vigilance required for coastal piloting. Students will refresh and practice their knowledge of chart navigation using hand lead and compass, electronic sounder, radar, and GPS. You will then sail off on courses for explorations and island landings.
On your days of exploration the class will sail a course for, and chart, one of the tiny entrancing, secluded anchorages within a half-day’s sail of the school. These favorite places are often vaguely charted, so students can expect the charting of, and sometimes the entry into, these anchorages to involve an exciting mixture of fun and cooperation on the boat, in the tender, and ashore. You’ll assemble the basic data required to make a reasonably accurate hand-made chart by recording electronic and hand soundings, establishing land bearings, and making sketches.
Weather permitting; there will be at least one long sailing day with dinner aboard in which PATIENCE will be underway during twilight until you moor under sail at WoodenBoat. Twilight sailing will demonstrate the value and comfort achieved in planning, visualizing, and sighting the important waypoints along the intended course such as key islands, land silhouettes, and buoys.
Safety and fitness issues will include frank discussions on seasickness, the challenges of moving about the deck at night and in rough weather, and methods and products available for rescuing a man overboard. Toward the end of the week, we will practice a man-overboard recovery while under way.
This is a wonderful chance to share Andy’s enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, various techniques used for entry into difficult anchorages and inter-island passages; twilight and night piloting; and hand charting of special, local anchorages. It’s a “must” for any sailor wishing to learn and improve the art of safe cruising.
Tuition: $650