Hi Martin,

Thanks for the wonderful five day course that you gave us in our Sunseeker Manhattan. We enjoyed it very much and feel that we learn't an enormous amount. You teach in a very relaxed manner that makes it very pleasurable to learn whilst at the same time stressing that which is important. We learn't an enormous amount from you. I now feel competent to take on longer passages. I am planning a trip to Gibraltar and Marina Smir this summer, I know that you often take time to give advice to your clients after they have done courses with you, could we meet some time for a coffee to discuss my passage plan?

Also do you teach dinghy handling? We didn't do any dinghy handling training during our course with you and I have just made an awful mess of handling our rib!

Bob

Hi Bob,

I am very pleased that you both enjoyed your course with me and that you feel that you learnt a lot.

Yes, of course I would enjoy meeting any time that I am not actually instructing, I will telephone you soon to arrange something. As well as discussing your passage plan I will go through your RCC Pilot book with you and mark any changes that I feel are relevant.

Regarding dinghy handling, I should have suggested to you that we tack some dinghy handling on to the end of your course. There is more to this than people at first realise. Boats are often sold without dinghies and getting the dinghy right can be quite complex.

For example, one couple that I know bought a 40 foot yacht with a rib-style dinghy (with a rigid sole to survive Caribbean coral beaches) lashed to the deck in front of the spray hood. Heaving this in and out of the water was not straightforward, and made far more difficult by the previous owner’s modification of double kicking-straps (in place of the original boom-vang) to make space for the dinghy.

Small outboard motors can be tricky to start, especially if infrequently used. I offer basic advice on the care and maintenance of these. Many outboards need tiller extensions to let you sit in the best place, and I help with this. Many people value support while learning to coordinate tiller and throttle movements.

I offer a half-day of practical advice and training: how to load a dinghy, how to leave from alongside a motor cruiser or yacht, how to come alongside, how best to beach in awkward surf, how to ensure the painter does not foul the propeller, which side of the engine to sit and why, the importance of always taking oars or paddles, flares, life-jackets and a torch at night and so on.

I will be in touch in a few days, please say hello to Gloria from me.

All the best,

Martin