TO BEGIN WITH ...

COMPETENT CREW

Practical Course Notes

This booklet is aimed at illustrating and clarifying the practical courses run by the RYA. Lack of space has forced us to condense these notes to the bare essentials and leave you to find out about the most enjoyable part — THE SAILING!

TO BEGIN WITH ...

If you've never lived on a boat before it might all seem rather cramped at first but you'll soon appreciate that space isn't everything when afloat.

As you'll all be living at quite close-quarters be sure to tell the skipper if you are taking any form of medicine, so he'll know what action to take if anything goes wrong.

Sea sickness sufferers will probably feel better on a small sailing yacht than they would on a large rolling ship. However take along your favourite remedy as any vomiting can upset the effectiveness of medication, including the contraceptive pill!

Rules on alcohol and tobacco vary from boat to boat, BUT any form of illegal drug found aboard could lead to the confiscation of the vessel.

RYA recognised sea schools provide all safety equipment and often lend or hire out waterproofs and seaboots. (See page 25 for details, if you decide to buy your own.) Weather afloat can vary from hot to very cold and wet, so your choice of clothes should reflect this. But, as space is limited (and sometimes damp) pack everything in plastic bags and then into a soft holdall or kitbag.

Shirts and trousers should not leave a chilling gap when you bend over and all footwear should have 'non-slip' soles. Glasses, sun hats and knives need to be tied on and a woolly hat will keep your head warm at night. Special sailing gloves can be bought if your hands need protection and rings ought to be left safely ashore.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT WHAT TO TAKE ASK THE PEOPLE YOU'LL BE SAILING WITH.