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I’ve often hankered for a boat of my own. Not a big one, but just a small one with a cuddy that I could anchor maybe a mile offshore and from which I could do a bit of quiet, contemplative fishing.
But I saw plenty of boating in Alaska and eventually decided the risks to a basic landlubber like me were not worth it. It struck me that real small-boat sailors, just like the ones that sail big ships, read and understand their charts, take careful note of their bearings and headings and have some sort of picture in their mind as to what was underneath their boat as they progressed. They are well-qualified to be out and about on the water.
Despite these practicalities, you hear plenty of horror stories of folk who set sail meaning to go around the world and take with them just a packet of cheese sandwiches, a bottle of beer and an AA book to guide them.
Just last week, one benighted fellow had to be rescued after going round the Isle of Sheppy thinking that he was, in fact, navigating his way around the British coastline.
And yesterday, another free spirit ran his boat aground in adverse weather conditions in the Thames just off Canvey Island after attempting to reach Rochester in Kent from London using only a car satellite navigation system to guide him. Coastguards discovered that the man and his companion had set sail without any charts, emergency flares or even a radio.
Quiet, contemplative fishing is one thing. But not knowing the ins and outs of small-boat sailing and taking all the proper precautions to stay alive is sheer stupidity!
.
I’ve often hankered for a boat of my own. Not a big one, but just a small one with a cuddy that I could anchor maybe a mile offshore and from which I could do a bit of quiet, contemplative fishing.
But I saw plenty of boating in Alaska and eventually decided the risks to a basic landlubber like me were not worth it. It struck me that real small-boat sailors, just like the ones that sail big ships, read and understand their charts, take careful note of their bearings and headings and have some sort of picture in their mind as to what was underneath their boat as they progressed. They are well-qualified to be out and about on the water.
Despite these practicalities, you hear plenty of horror stories of folk who set sail meaning to go around the world and take with them just a packet of cheese sandwiches, a bottle of beer and an AA book to guide them.
Just last week, one benighted fellow had to be rescued after going round the Isle of Sheppy thinking that he was, in fact, navigating his way around the British coastline.
And yesterday, another free spirit ran his boat aground in adverse weather conditions in the Thames just off Canvey Island after attempting to reach Rochester in Kent from London using only a car satellite navigation system to guide him. Coastguards discovered that the man and his companion had set sail without any charts, emergency flares or even a radio.
Quiet, contemplative fishing is one thing. But not knowing the ins and outs of small-boat sailing and taking all the proper precautions to stay alive is sheer stupidity!
.
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