A year ago, from 4 to 14 November 2022, I took the RYA Day Skipper course in the Solent, in Capstan Sailing School’s final group, with Aubrey Wallis. I was surrounded by wonderful people, a crew it was a pleasure to sail with throughout. More importantly, I was lucky enough to learn in difficult weather.
First, we had spring tides. About three times, the keel nearly touched bottom on the way to a marina at low tide. The tidal streams required almost full engine power. On the penultimate day, we misjudged the increasing stream and were carried more than a mile from our calculated position. Only that mistake brought home how much tides matter to passage planning.
Second, almost the whole first week had steady winds of 25–32 knots. On the second and third sailing days, gusts reached 47 knots. Everyone did their job: no broach, no loss of course. Sometimes you simply have to experience it to realise there’s nothing to fear: the elements are raging, but the situation is predictable and manageable.
It was largely thanks to that experience that I was able to deliver my yacht from Sweden to Germany this spring, sailing her single-handed.
To mark this small anniversary, I’ve put together a video of those adventures. No commentary, just sailing.
#kabestan
First, we had spring tides. About three times, the keel nearly touched bottom on the way to a marina at low tide. The tidal streams required almost full engine power. On the penultimate day, we misjudged the increasing stream and were carried more than a mile from our calculated position. Only that mistake brought home how much tides matter to passage planning.
Second, almost the whole first week had steady winds of 25–32 knots. On the second and third sailing days, gusts reached 47 knots. Everyone did their job: no broach, no loss of course. Sometimes you simply have to experience it to realise there’s nothing to fear: the elements are raging, but the situation is predictable and manageable.
It was largely thanks to that experience that I was able to deliver my yacht from Sweden to Germany this spring, sailing her single-handed.
To mark this small anniversary, I’ve put together a video of those adventures. No commentary, just sailing.
#kabestan
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