Gaining skipper skills (asking for my wife)

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by josrulz

... So we're looking at classes, perhaps something ASA, or maybe Womanship in Annapolis. My wife doesn't mind mix-gender classes, so it's not a question of comfort. That said, ASA seems to be about certification to bareboat charter--not really her goal. She just wants to be a competent skipper.

As I said, I know this isn't a new question really. Just wondering what you all might think is the best course, given our situation. We're in the Annapolis area.
Thanks!
-J

We know the gals that run Welcome to Womanship.com . They are very knowledgable and good instructors and, if you can afford the program, it would be an excellant means for your wife to gain skills and self confidence. Ensuring that your wife can handle the boat without you is very worthwhile for you and for her, particularly so in the event you are ever injured or otherwise incapacitated while sailing. While my wife is perfectly happy to let me handle things aboard and simply drive, we make a point of exercises that put her in the command mode and that has worked as, even at 5' and 105# she's a pretty competant skipper of our 42' yacht. Had we to do things over, however, I'd have sent her to Womanship in a heartbeat.

FWIW...

[josrulz]

Thanks everyone! I suppose the price of the classes is something we'll need to consider. I just realized that none of the pricing for Womanship is on their site, so we'll have to check on that and make a decision.

Thanks again!
-J

[MSN2Travelers]

Originally Posted by josrulz

Thanks everyone! I suppose the price of the classes is something we'll need to consider. I just realized that none of the pricing for Womanship is on their site, so we'll have to check on that and make a decision.

Thanks again!
-J

Scroll down to the calendar link and you will get their class schedule and prices. http://www.womanship.com/pdf/CourseCalendar.pdf

[badsanta]

I took a several day docking class in Rock hall Md. with the maryland school of sailing, Fantastic The other classes I have taken were great also. If you want to see some new territory check out the Wooden Boat school in Brooklin Maine. I cant wait to go back. I don't own a wooden boat and don't want to own one but they offer many types of classes. I have been there three times. This year my new wife is taking sailing and I am going to a sail making class or cannon making.

[knotted]

This, surely, is a little bit like the parent trying to teach the offspring to drive.... far, far better that a competent (and qualified and trustworthy) stranger do it; the emotional overtones in both directions are removed.

The other issue is efficiency. This is why the foreign room-mate with the better (to them) foreign language skills uses their fluency and you don't learn their language: it's just more efficient than (you) floundering around in a 'foreign' language trying to express yourself. How many times have you seen the 'boss' doing some 'un-boss' job because it's quicker to do it themselves than teaching someone else how to do it properly? Hence the advice to drink a coffee and read a book - keeps your mind off what's going on, and your hands and tongue still.

That's the advantage of third-party training: the training is the job for the trainer, the activity is just the means of transferring the training. The trainer doesn't 'pull the trigger' for you, because the objective isn't to hit the target, it's to get you to hit the target!

I'm looking at taking a third party basic cruising course because I want to learn safe and seaman-like sailing and the objectivity and dispassionateness of the instructor is important to me (doesn't stop them from being polite - at least sometimes, I hope, when I'm not doing something stupid - and friendly )

So lots of benefits to something like the WomanShip program, or just send the lady away on a course for a few days, when there's no escape for the lady from doing it herself, and no interference or assistance other than for safety after having been shown how and what to do. Finding an intensive four day basic cruising course in your area (similar to the basic cruising courses described in my thread on Ontario sailing schools...) could be just the ticket at an affordable price!

Good luck!

[momclarissa]

I took a class with Womanship I guess 3 years ago and would highly recommend them. The 2 day class I was in was comprised of 6 or 7 students and an instructor, and was conducted entirely on the boat. Our experience levels varied from no experience to me with some experience. The funny thing is I discovered how much I already knew! We started the first day going through coastal navigation, plotting out our course, then we took off. Everyone had multiple chances to handle the wheel, lines - all of it. The instructor was there strictly answering questions and guiding us while we did it all - ok except for docking - she did that. Like I said before, it turned out that I knew a lot more than I had given myself credit for, but most importantly I came out of the class with alot more confidence in myself and my abilities. I haven't priced other schools, but though Womanship seemed expensive to me, it was money well spent. Oh, and they do offer discounts for repeat students. Hope this helps.

[AdamLein]

Bring one of your wife's girlfriends along for a few trips until she's competent crew on your boat. Then have do a few trips just the two of them, without you around. Your wife will, by default, become the skipper.

[arknoah]

Originally Posted by AdamLein

Bring one of your wife's girlfriends along for a few trips until she's competent crew on your boat. Then have do a few trips just the two of them, without you around. Your wife will, by default, become the skipper.

What a great idea! Once my wife becomes more knowledgeable (though perhaps not yet more confident) I'll make the same suggestion. Some friends are also likely to purchase a boat this season, and I'll suggest that both wives have a woman's day out on the water sometime so both can be more comfortable.

[josrulz]

Thanks everyone!