My admiral has decided that she wants to take the helm. Whereas I am pleased and excited she has taken an interest.. it is probably one of the most challenging experiences I have dealt with.
She is a good crew person with a good understanding of sailing terminology, handling the jib sheets, lowering and raising the sails and anchoring. We have covered the emergency basics of lufting, lowering the the sails, radio use, starting and use of the motor, etc. I am looking for advice on how you have taught your admirals to take control of the helm while under sail.
I did look into classes with the local clubs, but in AZ they have shut down for the summer due to the AZ heat. Private lessons at $100/hour are out of our budget range at this time.
Our boat is a Hunter 260, tiller steering with a jib furler. We sail in a good size inland lake (8 miles by 2 miles) however it is crowed with many large go fast boats and power cruisers chopping up the water. Wind conditions are very variable and change direction frequently, requiring frequent sail trim and course corrections. A lot for a new captain to take in. We both work during the week so weekday sailing has not been an option.
First time out was a disaster ending up with a very quite day of no conversation...my mistake I am sure.
Second time no sails, we focused on motor controls and steering while motoring. It allowed her to get use to the tiller and the feel of the boat under power. That seems to work well except for the panic attacks when the power boats start buzzing about. (A few caught quite an earful from her as they passed by, it was hard not to laugh seeing this mild manor women let it all out.) It improved and became much more relaxed with her sitting in the cat bird seats and steering with the tiller extension by days end.
She is a teacher by profession so she has dived into the sailing books and videos which have helped on the basics concepts and theory but in some cases have created confusion in trying to be overly simplified.
This weekend, time to move back to sail power. She is looking for the step 1,2,3 approach to sailing.
I struggle with trying to break down and verbalize all the factors that fall into the category of "feel" for the boat" reading the wind, position on the water, awareness of other boats, speed/direction, etc. and translating all that into viable and teachable instructions frustrating us both.
Our plan is an early start as we generally have light and consistant early morning wind, so we can get some time in before the weekend power boat crowds start showing up.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tim
She is a good crew person with a good understanding of sailing terminology, handling the jib sheets, lowering and raising the sails and anchoring. We have covered the emergency basics of lufting, lowering the the sails, radio use, starting and use of the motor, etc. I am looking for advice on how you have taught your admirals to take control of the helm while under sail.
I did look into classes with the local clubs, but in AZ they have shut down for the summer due to the AZ heat. Private lessons at $100/hour are out of our budget range at this time.
Our boat is a Hunter 260, tiller steering with a jib furler. We sail in a good size inland lake (8 miles by 2 miles) however it is crowed with many large go fast boats and power cruisers chopping up the water. Wind conditions are very variable and change direction frequently, requiring frequent sail trim and course corrections. A lot for a new captain to take in. We both work during the week so weekday sailing has not been an option.
First time out was a disaster ending up with a very quite day of no conversation...my mistake I am sure.
Second time no sails, we focused on motor controls and steering while motoring. It allowed her to get use to the tiller and the feel of the boat under power. That seems to work well except for the panic attacks when the power boats start buzzing about. (A few caught quite an earful from her as they passed by, it was hard not to laugh seeing this mild manor women let it all out.) It improved and became much more relaxed with her sitting in the cat bird seats and steering with the tiller extension by days end.
She is a teacher by profession so she has dived into the sailing books and videos which have helped on the basics concepts and theory but in some cases have created confusion in trying to be overly simplified.
This weekend, time to move back to sail power. She is looking for the step 1,2,3 approach to sailing.
I struggle with trying to break down and verbalize all the factors that fall into the category of "feel" for the boat" reading the wind, position on the water, awareness of other boats, speed/direction, etc. and translating all that into viable and teachable instructions frustrating us both.
Our plan is an early start as we generally have light and consistant early morning wind, so we can get some time in before the weekend power boat crowds start showing up.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tim
, you can always muscle the tiller away from her. 
