Seamanship competition

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by AdamLein

Anyway I was considering a "clearing the plumbing after somebody put TP in it and then overpressurized the line" event. The difficulty here is camera placement so that the audience can see what's going on, though the possibility of catastrophic failure is sure to draw a crowd.

That's not a good thing... and certainly not something I'd want to see...

[KeelHaulin]

Well the Sea Scouts have been doing it for at least 57 years; it's called a land-based Regatta. I'm sure these events were done in "ancient" times and all that remains of them now is what is passed down year after year by the Sea Scouts.

AMR Quarterdeck

I'm sure there are others and they may go back further than to 1951; but AMR is the oldest Sea Scouts regatta in the SF Bay Area.

[Silmaril]

The YC I learned to sail at had an annual "Marlinspike Seamanship" trophy for Yacht Club sailing class students.

It included written exams covering navigation, where you were given a chart, an Eldridge, and a set of conditions. You then had to plot your course on the paper chart using the given instructions/conditions. In addition there was a "Rules of the road" exam as well.

Next was a written exam covering the proper identification of all parts of the hull, deck, cockpit, standing/running rigging, sails and all parts of the sail.

Next was a timed practical exam of knots and general line handing, including figure eights, bowline, sheep shank, rolling hitch, clove hitch, cleating, and heaving. This also included proper anchoring technique along with scope calculation and ground tackle selection.

And finally a practical exam, which was the singlehanded launching, rigging, and sailing of one of the program's S&S designed Blue Jay one designs, with a windward-leward course. Proper docking techniques, approaching and leaving, and tying to docks. Then the proper care and folding of the boat's sails.

It was one of the most highly respected of the annual awards and given out last at the annual awards banquet. I remember it so well because I won it in 1972.

I would feel that would be a good start for a "Seamanship" competition.

[AdamLein]

Originally Posted by Silmaril

It included written exams covering...

Written exams are not very exciting to watch. On the other hand, a nautical edition of Trivial Pursuit may be in order.

Next was a timed practical exam of knots and general line handing, including figure eights, bowline, sheep shank, rolling hitch, clove hitch, cleating, and heaving. This also included proper anchoring technique along with scope calculation and ground tackle selection.

This is more like it... especially if you have to do it while standing on a platform balancing on rollers, with somebody throwing buckets of water on you at regular intervals.

[therapy23]

[QUOTE=AdamLein;475309]Written exams are not very exciting to watch.
[QUOTE]

LOL.
Neither is watching someone stir a pot of mushrooms or pressing a blender button.