Wednesday, 18 February 2026

Preparing for the Competent Crew Qualification – Get the Book

If you’re thinking about taking the RYA Competent Crew course, there’s one simple piece of advice:

Get the book before you step on board.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) doesn’t just run courses – it provides structured, progressive training that builds confidence properly. And the official Competent Crew Skills book is your roadmap.

Why Buy the Book First?

When I started sailing on the Thames in a dinghy, I discovered something important:

The people who progress fastest aren’t necessarily the strongest or the bravest…

They’re the ones who understand what’s about to happen.

On a yacht course, everything comes at you quickly:

New terminology
Rope handling
Winches and clutches
Sails you didn’t know existed
Night watches
Seasickness (possibly!)

If you’ve already read about it, your brain isn’t overloaded. You recognise it.

Instead of thinking:

“What on earth is that rope?”

You think:

“Ah, that’s the halyard – I know what that does.”

What the Competent Crew Book Covers

The official book walks you through:

Basic seamanship
Parts of the boat
Sail handling
Ropework and knots
Safety procedures
Man overboard drills
Helming under supervision
Living aboard

It’s not heavy theory. It’s practical and reassuring.

Exactly what you want before your first week on a yacht.

Why This Matters (Especially for Us “Later Starters”)

As someone who began serious sailing later in life, I’ve learned this:

Preparation reduces anxiety.

When you’ve read the book:

You sleep better before the course
You ask better questions
You make fewer avoidable mistakes
You enjoy it more

And enjoyment is the whole point.

How It Fits Into Your Sailing Journey

If, like me, you:

Sail dinghies on a river
Are thinking about stepping up to sea sailing
Want to charter a yacht in the future

Then Competent Crew is the gateway qualification.

It’s the foundation before Day Skipper.

And the book is the foundation before the course.

A Practical Plan

Buy the book 6–8 weeks before your course
Read it through once
Re-read sections on knots and safety
Practise basic knots at home
Arrive onboard calm and ready

You wouldn’t sit a GCSE without opening the revision guide.

Why treat a yacht differently?

Final Thought

Sailing rewards preparation.

Wind, tide and weather don’t slow down because we feel unprepared.

But knowledge turns nerves into excitement.

So if you’re planning your Competent Crew course…

Get the book.

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Prepping for a Holiday on a Sailing Yacht – Where on Earth Do You Start?

A couple of months to go before stepping aboard a yacht…
Excitement rising.
Mild panic setting in.
Visions of turquoise water – mixed with quiet worries about knots, seasickness and whether you’ve packed the wrong shoes.

Whether you’re chartering in the Mediterranean, crewing for friends, or finally trying life beyond the Thames and the RS Toura, here’s a calm, practical place to begin.

1️⃣ Start With the Sailing Itself

Before buying a single item of kit, ask:

Are you the skipper or crew?
Is this bareboat charter or flotilla?
Coastal pottering or offshore passages?
Warm Med sunshine or Atlantic breeze?

If you sail regularly at somewhere like Upper Thames Sailing Club, you already understand wind awareness, sail trim and boat balance. What changes at sea is scale, systems, and seamanship.

If you haven’t helmed a yacht before, consider:

A refresher weekend
A short Royal Yachting Association Competent Crew course
Revising basic yacht terminology (winches, halyards, reefing, heads, guardrails)

Confidence reduces stress enormously.

2️⃣ Get Your Paperwork Sorted Early

Not glamorous. But essential.

✔ Passport validity
✔ Travel insurance (declare sailing!)
✔ EHIC/GHIC card (if Europe)
✔ Any qualification certificates (Day Skipper etc.)
✔ Charter contract and damage deposit details

If hiring abroad, check licence requirements early. Some countries are stricter than others.

3️⃣ Think Clothing – But Think “Boat Practical”

You need far less than you think.

The golden rules:

Non-marking deck shoes
Light waterproof (even in summer)
Hat with retainer
Sunglasses with strap
Sailing gloves
Soft holdall (hard suitcases are boat-hostile!)

Even in the Med, evenings can feel chilly under way.
And yes, things will get damp.

4️⃣ Seasickness – Plan for It Even If You “Never Get Ill”

Confidence is admirable. Preparation is wiser.

Options:

Stugeron (if suitable for you)
Acupressure wristbands
Ginger products
Stay hydrated
Stay on deck, eyes on horizon

The first 24 hours are often the bumpiest — body adjusting, not necessarily weather worsening.

5️⃣ Learn the Boat Systems

Unlike a dinghy, a yacht has:

Engine controls
Battery systems
Water tanks
Gas systems
Marine toilet (with rules!)

Nothing creates tension faster than someone not knowing how the loo works.

Have a proper handover briefing. Take notes. Ask questions.

6️⃣ Food & Provisioning Strategy

Are you marina-hopping with supermarkets nearby?
Or anchoring in quiet bays?

Plan:

Breakfasts (easy and consistent)
Simple lunches
2–3 “proper” evening meals
Snack drawer (vital morale tool)
Plenty of water

Avoid complicated first-night cooking. The crew will be tired.

7️⃣ Safety Mindset

Even on a relaxed holiday:

Know where lifejackets are
Understand jackstays and harness points
Know the man-overboard procedure
Keep one hand for the boat

If you already volunteer on safety duty at your club, you understand how quickly situations escalate. Offshore, response times are longer.

Calm competence beats bravado every time.

8️⃣ Tech & Navigation

Are you:

Using paper charts?
Relying on plotters?
Backing up with Navionics?

If you’ve enjoyed plotting routes on the Thames or following river marks, this is simply the bigger version.

Bring charging cables. Label them. There are never enough sockets.

9️⃣ Mental Preparation

This isn’t a hotel.

Cabins are small
Showers are brief
Space is shared
Wind changes plans

But…

Morning coffee at anchor.
Sailing into a new harbour under canvas.
Sunsets at sea.

Worth every minor inconvenience.

A Simple 8-Week Countdown Plan

8 weeks: Confirm bookings, check passports
6 weeks: Order kit you don’t own
4 weeks: Refresh sailing knowledge
3 weeks: Medical kit & insurance
2 weeks: Provision planning
1 week: Soft bags packed, weather checked
Departure day: Relax — adventure begins

If you sail regularly on a river, a yacht holiday is not a leap into the unknown — it’s a widening of the playground.

And who knows… once you’ve done it, the Thames may feel very small indeed.

Monday, 16 February 2026

Faster Boats – When Things Go Wrong, They Go Wrong Faster

Watching SailGP is a bit like watching Formula 1 on water. The boats – F50 foiling catamarans – lift clear of the surface and hurtle along at motorway speeds. It’s thrilling, dramatic… and unforgiving.

Recently, the New Zealand SailGP Team collided with the France SailGP Team during racing. No one sets out to crash. These are elite sailors with razor-sharp reactions. But when you are travelling at over 40 knots (about 80km/h) on hydrofoils, small misjudgements become very large, very quickly.

And that’s the lesson for all of us – especially those of us pottering around on the River Thames in much more sedate craft.

Why Faster Means Less Forgiving

On a traditional river dinghy, if you misjudge a tack you might lose a boat length.
On an F50, a misjudgement can mean:

Closing speeds of 70+ knots between two boats
Foils acting like underwater wings and knives
Massive loads in carbon fibre structures
Split-second decisions under pressure

Physics doesn’t care how experienced you are.
Kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity.

Double the speed?
Four times the energy.

That’s GCSE Physics alive and well on the racecourse.

The Human Factor

Even at the top level:

Wind shifts happen.
Boundaries approach quickly.
Other boats make aggressive moves.
Communication must be instant and precise.

In high-performance sailing, there is almost no “pause and think” time. It’s instinct, teamwork and trust.

As someone learning and racing at the Upper Thames Sailing Club – and now restoring Vanessa, our B-Rater – I’m acutely aware that speed changes everything. Even stepping up from a training dinghy to something more powerful sharpens the consequences of poor timing.

What Club Sailors Can Learn

We may not be foiling at 50 knots, but the principles scale down perfectly:

1. Leave Space

Room at the mark matters. On a river, that might mean avoiding a crunch into the bank or another club boat.

2. Plan Ahead

AME – Approach, Manoeuvre, Escape.
Have an exit before you need one.

3. Communicate Clearly

A calm “Starboard!” early is better than a panicked shout late.

4. Respect Speed

Even a modest gust can double your apparent pace in a dinghy.
Things go wrong faster than you expect.

The Bigger Picture

One of the fascinating tensions in modern sailing is this:

We want boats that are:

Faster
Lighter
More exciting
More spectacular

But increased performance narrows margins.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t innovate. Quite the opposite. It means training, safety systems, and decision-making need to evolve just as quickly.

Final Thought

Watching SailGP reminds me why I love sailing at any level. Whether it’s a foiling F50 or a river handicap race at Bourne End, the same physics apply.

Speed magnifies everything:

Skill
Mistakes
Thrill
Consequences

And perhaps that’s the real beauty of the sport.

When things go right, they go right spectacularly.
When things go wrong… they go wrong faster.

Sunday, 15 February 2026

Getting Qualified with the RYA – Is It Worth It?

When you first start sailing or powerboating, qualifications can feel a bit… formal. After all, if the boat floats and you don’t fall in too often, surely that’s enough?

Well — not quite.

Getting qualified with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is about far more than collecting certificates. It’s about competence, confidence, and credibility.

And speaking as someone learning to sail (and powerboat) on the Thames in my 60s, I can say this: the structure really helps.

Why Bother with RYA Qualifications?

1️⃣ Confidence Through Structure

The RYA syllabus is progressive and logical. You’re not just “having a go” — you’re building skills step by step.

For dinghy sailing, that might start with:

RYA Level 1 – Start Sailing
RYA Level 2 – Basic Skills
RYA Level 3 – Better Sailing

For powerboating:

RYA Powerboat Level 1
RYA Powerboat Level 2

When I needed to helm club powerboats safely at Upper Thames Sailing Club, Level 2 wasn’t optional — it was essential. Quite right too.

Dinghy Sailing Qualifications

For those starting later in life — as I did — the structured approach removes the embarrassment factor.

You practise:

Rigging properly
Launching and recovery
Tacking and gybing under control
Capsize drills (yes — deliberately!)
Basic theory of wind and points of sail

There is something reassuring about knowing you’ve met a recognised standard.

Powerboat Qualifications

Powerboat Level 2 is particularly valuable. It covers:

Low-speed handling
High-speed manoeuvres
Man overboard recovery
Coming alongside
Launching and recovery

For me — now running an electric Whaly as a camera and safety boat — the “steer then gear” principle and pivot-point awareness were game changers.

It also means insurance companies, clubs, and charter companies take you seriously.

What You Actually Gain

It’s not just a piece of paper.

You gain:

✅ Better boat handling
✅ Safer decision making
✅ A shared language with other sailors
✅ Eligibility to help on safety boat duty
✅ Greater freedom to hire or helm boats

And — importantly — you reduce the risk to others.

Is It Expensive?

Courses do cost money, but compared with:

The price of boats
The cost of equipment
Or the potential cost of an accident

…it’s modest.

And unlike a shiny new sail, the knowledge doesn’t wear out.

The Hidden Benefit: Community

Training days are often where friendships start.

You’re all slightly nervous. You all make mistakes. You all get better together.

That shared learning builds confidence much faster than struggling alone.

Final Thoughts

If you’re learning to sail at 25, 45, or 65+, qualifications are not about proving something to others.

They’re about proving to yourself that you can do this properly.

For me, gaining RYA qualifications wasn’t a bureaucratic hoop.

It was a milestone.

And it opened doors — including volunteering on safety boats and expanding into powerboating with confidence.

If you’re hesitating… I’d say go for it.

Saturday, 14 February 2026

The Halyard – What It Is and Why It’s So Important

A halyard is the rope (or line) used to hoist and lower a sail. Without it, your beautifully cut sail would remain a neatly folded picnic blanket at the bottom of the boat.

But in reality, the halyard does far more than just “pull the sail up”.

What Exactly Is a Halyard?

On most modern dinghies and yachts, a halyard:

Runs from a cleat or jammer at deck level
Up the mast
Through a pulley (sheave) at the masthead
And down to the head (top corner) of the sail

Common examples:

Main halyard – hoists the mainsail
Jib halyard – hoists the jib
Spinnaker halyard – hoists the spinnaker

On some boats (including many training dinghies like your trusty RS Toura), the mainsail may use a luff track and hook system, meaning you tension it once and it stays fixed. On classic Thames boats and larger yachts, halyards are central to sail control.

Why the Halyard Is So Important

1️⃣ It Controls Sail Shape

The halyard doesn’t just lift the sail — it controls luff tension.

Too loose?

Wrinkles appear down the front of the sail.
The sail becomes too full.
The boat feels sluggish.

Too tight?

The sail flattens.
Power reduces.
In strong wind, that might be exactly what you want.

On a shifty stretch of the River Thames at the Upper Thames Sailing Club, halyard tension can be the difference between gliding past another boat… or being politely overtaken.

2️⃣ It Affects Performance Upwind

When sailing close-hauled:

Proper halyard tension keeps airflow smooth.
It allows the sail to point higher.
It reduces drag.

Racers obsess over this.

Cruisers? They should still care.

3️⃣ It Affects Safety

A slipping halyard:

Can drop a sail unexpectedly.
Can make reefing difficult.
Can create chaos in rising wind.

A worn halyard:

May chafe through at the masthead.
Can fail at the most inconvenient moment.

And yes… it always seems to happen just as you’re trying to look competent.

4️⃣ It Must Be Correctly Cleated

A poorly cleated halyard can:

Gradually slip
Jam
Become impossible to release under load

Good seamanship means:

Tidy coils
No twists
Regular inspection for chafe
Checking the sheaves at the masthead

Materials Matter

Older halyards were natural fibre.
Modern halyards are typically:

Polyester (good general use)
Dyneema / Spectra (very low stretch, ideal for racing)

Low stretch = consistent sail shape = better performance.

River Sailing Perspective

On a narrow river like the Thames:

You tack frequently.
Gusts are unpredictable.
Acceleration out of tacks matters.

That means halyard tension becomes surprisingly important, even if you’re “just learning”.

When I first started sailing at 65+, I thought:

“It’s up. That’ll do.”

Now?
I check luff tension every time we launch.

Progress.

More at https://pmrsailing.uk/sailing-lessons/sailing-terms-list/Halyard.html

Friday, 13 February 2026

Knot of the Week: The Figure of Eight Knot

If there is one knot every sailor should be able to tie without thinking (even when cold, wet, and being shouted at from the bank), it is the Figure of Eight Knot.

When I started learning to sail at the Upper Thames Sailing Club, this was one of the first knots I was taught. It’s simple, secure, easy to untie — and it stops your sheets disappearing through blocks at the most inconvenient moment possible.

🔹 What Is the Figure of Eight Knot?

The Figure of Eight (sometimes called a “Figure 8 stopper”) is a stopper knot.

Its main job?
👉 To stop a rope running out of a block, cleat, or fairlead.

It’s neater and more secure than tying an overhand knot, and crucially, it’s much easier to undo after it’s been under load.

🔹 How to Tie It (Simple Steps)

Here’s the version I teach beginners — and it works every time:

Hold the working end of the rope.
Form a loop by passing the end over the standing part.
Take the end behind the standing part.
Pass the end forward through the loop you made.
Pull tight — and admire your neat “8” shape.

That’s it.

If it doesn’t look like a number 8, untie it and try again. After five or six attempts, your fingers will remember it forever.

🔹 Why Not Just Tie an Overhand Knot?

Good question.

An overhand knot:

Can jam badly under load
Is harder to untie
Looks less tidy

The Figure of Eight:

Is stronger
Less likely to jam
Is easy to inspect
Looks properly “sailor-like”

And looking sailor-like definitely helps confidence.

🔹 Common Uses in Dinghy Sailing

On our RS Toura on the Thames, we use the Figure of Eight:

At the end of sheets to stop them running through blocks
On control lines
On temporary rigging adjustments
Anywhere a simple stopper is needed

If you are learning to sail (especially as a slightly older beginner like me!), this is one knot worth practising in front of the television until you can do it in the dark.

🔹 Teaching Tip

When teaching students (whether GCSE Chemistry or sailing!), I’ve learned something important:

Don’t just show it once.

Make them:

Tie it
Untie it
Tie it again
Then explain it back to you

Muscle memory plus explanation = mastery.

🔹 Safety Note

Always check:

The knot is properly dressed (neatly formed)
The tail is long enough
It hasn’t worked loose

A poorly tied knot is worse than no knot.

🌊 Final Thought

The Figure of Eight Knot may not be glamorous.
It won’t win you races.
It won’t impress the bar after sailing.

But when your jib sheet stops exactly where it should — and doesn’t vanish through the block — you’ll be quietly grateful you took five minutes to learn it properly.

And that, on a windy Thames afternoon, is a very good feeling indeed.

Thursday, 12 February 2026

Boat Covers – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (…or Make Your Own?)

If you keep a boat on the bank at the Upper Thames Sailing Club like I do, you’ll know that a boat cover is not an optional extra. It’s survival equipment.

After wind, rain, frost, tree sap, bird “presents”, and the occasional Thames flood, I’ve come to see boat covers as characters in their own drama:

The Good
The Bad
And the Very Ugly

Let’s explore.

🟢 The Good – Properly Fitted, Breathable, and Secure

A good cover:

Fits your exact boat (not “something roughly similar”)
Has strong webbing straps under the hull
Uses breathable fabric
Keeps tension without sagging
Has reinforced wear patches

On our RS Toura, a well-fitted cover keeps the cockpit dry, the control lines clean, and the spinnaker halyard free from turning into green biology coursework.

Why it matters:

UV destroys sails
Water fills bailers and freezes
Leaves block drains
Moisture breeds mildew

A good cover saves hours of cleaning and hundreds of pounds in replacement kit.

🟡 The Bad – The “Almost” Cover

You know this one.

Slightly too big
Slightly too small
Slightly cheaper than the proper one
Slightly ripped after the first storm

It pools water.
It flaps.
It chafes gelcoat.
It eventually tears at the corners.

It looked like a bargain.

It wasn’t.

Ours for the Toura was expensive, it just doesn't fit the Toura, even though RS say it is correct.

🔴 The Ugly – Blue Tarp and Bungee Engineering

We’ve all seen it.

A blue tarpaulin.
Elastic bungees.
Half a brick.
Optimism.

It lasts approximately:

One gust
One heavy rain
Or one cold snap

After that, you’re basically storing a paddling pool.

Make Your Own? 🤔

Now here’s the interesting bit.

Boats like the Whaly - It has a different shape to other Whaleys, with the A -frame, so this needs a custom cover.

So… do you make one?

What You’ll Need:

Proper marine acrylic fabric (breathable, UV resistant)
Heavy-duty sewing machine
UV-resistant thread
Reinforcement patches
Webbing and buckles
Patience (industrial quantities)

Pros:

Perfect fit
Choose colour and style
Repairable
Deeply satisfying

Cons:

Time
Cost of materials
Domestic harmony risks if using dining table as sail loft

If you already run workshops, film studio gear, and boat restorations, adding “marine sailmaker” to the list may or may not be wise…

Top Tips from a River Sailor at 65+

Always remove leaves before winter.
Lift the cover slightly so water can’t pool.
Check straps after storms.
Never trust a single bungee.
If in doubt, over-spec it.

A boat cover is not glamorous.
But neither is scrubbing mould out of a cockpit in March.

Blog Closing Thought

We polish hulls.
We tweak rig tension.
We debate handicap numbers.

And then we protect it all with £40 worth of blue plastic.

Perhaps the humble cover deserves more respect.