So you’ve been sailing several times, maybe for a few years, perhaps taken lessons. But you still don’t feel 100% comfortable on the boats you’ve sailed, maybe not even on your own boat. Do not panic. This is not an unusual situation. In fact it is very common.

I remember sailing about 200 miles offshore in a race. When I came on watch in the middle of the night I was surprised to find 5 crew members sitting in the cockpit, looking like deer in the headlights. Practically immobilized by the experience of high and rising winds in the dark, they had not called anyone, had missed an alteration of course and taken us 60 miles off our intended track. These were relatively experienced inland sailors, with no prior experience on the open ocean. In a situation like this, the key is for the skipper to not get his shirt in a knot. A few days and nights later, with more time on the open ocean, their confidence level had jumped up several notches and by the end of the 2400 nautical mile (4450 km.) race they wanted to continue on to the South Pacific. And given the growth in their skills and confidence, I would have sailed anywhere on my boat with them.

Experience coupled with good coaching and mentoring produces higher levels of confidence. The first time you are in 10 knots of wind it might seem like the perfect storm. But it’s not; and when you go through that experience then 15 knots doesn’t seem like much. Soon 20 knots is not a big deal. A little later 30 knots is a light breeze. And so on, and so on and so on.

So if you don’t feel comfortable, together we can remedy that. We’ll begin by talking frankly about your concerns so that we can chart a plan.

 A lazy day sail for novices in English Bay.


Another lazy day sail, this time with the hard dodger in place.



Other boats I’ve sailed.
(Prologue at dock)





H.M.C.S. Oriole

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