When we shouldn't encourage people to "just go"

[stubones99]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Actually the most dangerous recreation in the world is SEX...
Funny no one admits it.. or maybe they're just to dumb to realise..


Just Go 4 It...

Kids are a sexually transmitted disease!

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Cottontop

Sex while driving a car: very dangerous.
Sex while cruising: not so much (I know, keep a proper lookout, etc.).

Very true, been there done that. The bitch is the semi driver that looks down blasts his horn and gives you the thumbs up. Not a problem on a boat.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by weavis

LOL

Heres the deal.

When they person asking the questions, has a list of questions given back to them,

1. Can you sail?
2. Whats a cleat?
3. Can you read a chart?
4. A question on Colregs
5. How to anchor
6. Do you get seasick?

And it becomes obvious that they know nothing, A wise one will acknowledge that things need to be prioritised.
A whack job will do it anyway.

I just mention that a bit of learning and training would stand them in good stead before going offshore.

If knowing the Colregs or inland navigational rules were actually required for boating, ninety five percent of the people boating now, couldn't!!!

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Very true, been there done that. The bitch is the semi driver that looks down blasts his horn and gives you the thumbs up. Not a problem on a boat.

The equivalent is the powerboat with the fly bridge.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

The equivalent is the powerboat with the fly bridge.

Can't speak to that, kept that in creeks.

[mglonnro]

Originally Posted by weavis

Im thinking you guys are perhaps missing something. Its is not your job or mine to assume the responsibility for anyone else.
[...]

to all of what u wrote

[exMaggieDrum]

Originally Posted by weavis

Im thinking you guys are perhaps missing something. Its is not your job or mine to assume the responsibility for anyone else.

Example. 4 years ago, I examined a patient who was a heavy smoker and told him that he was right in line for limb removal if he did not quit smoking immediately. I laid it on the line so he understood the risks

That is as far as I go. He was informed and the rest was up to him. He chose to continue smoking and a few months later had his left leg amputated, and a week later his right. He died a while after that.

I see a lot of information here erring on the side of caution, and personal experience of what is required for certain aspects of sailing, and that is, I am afraid, as far as our 'responsibility' goes.

Would I encourage anyone to "just go?" I find generally I dont encourage people one way or another for a life decision or a choice involving risk. Most people have already decided to do something or not do something and the asking is to 'share the decision'.

I just state the facts and obstacles and the knowledge necessary to do a certain thing, and then leave it to the person. If they ask me directly-I will tell them to think very carefully. If they keep pushing for an answer, unless a family member or close friend, I will not encourage or discourage.

Some people are just plain stupid. Some people have cognitive dissonance when it comes to the situation and an innate belief in their own self and abilities. Some have weighed it all up and decided to do it based on a careful evaluation, and a willingness to learn.

This is a discussion board, and people read this without joining. Some may have made a choice to go sailing from material here, and some will have been put off. We will never know.

Mostly we are adults with life experience, and therefore the choices are not ours to make. We just say it how it is and leave it to each other.

Weavis, you are entirely correct. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink is a truity. I don't expect to force anyone to do anything. If someone asks for good advice (I wouldn't expect them to ask for bad advice) it should be OK to give it. If someone gives some advice that I view as dangerous if followed then it should be Ok for me to express an opinion about that. I have had to "save" several others boats more than a few times. I don't hold it against them as things happen. But I didn't appreciate the one "charter" captain that left the anchorage in Fiji with paying dive customers on a punky plywood trimaran with a severely out-of-balance prop shaft, who knew it was out of balance, and had it all fall apart on a lee shore in a storm where the boat was lost, the customers severely injured and traumatized, and who lost their thousands of dollars in dive equipment and had a major miracle in not dying. Several of us in the anchorage literally begged him to not go. His customers were clueless, as he evidently was. I would have forced him to not go if I could have, but, just as you say, we should feel OK that we said something and let them "just go" and damn the consequences, having done our mininum to assuage our consciences. Sorry for the rant. Some people should not "just go". I don't expect any of them to follow my advice but I will give it if asked or it is overly obvious it might save a life or a boat, or someone else's, by doing so. The ones who don't like it will just have to deal with it.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by zboss

That "Hold Fast" video of Moxie's adventure is often is touted as an example of the success of the "just do it" crowd but I'm not sure that his example should be followed.

I'm going to start a quick poll to satisfy my curiosity about this subject...

I for one think there was a lot going on in the background of Hold Fast that didn't give the full perspective. The entire documentary seemed like it was done with a slant and an agenda in my opinion.

[sailpower]

Anyone who asks the question should be prepared for the incoming that results.

OTOH I doubt that those others who are doing their thing care much about the opinions of internet forum dwellers who mostly have not BTDT.

[RaymondR]

"Just doing it" does not require one to act as a complete ratbag (perfectly harmless old and honourable Australian vernacular usable in delicate company) and go out there completely heedlessly and carelessly. It means that if you think it is a desirable thing to do you should not agonize forever whether too or not and go make a start.

[rocma]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

We often have debates about whether we as a general group are too encouraging to newbies with a dream. Most should go and do it, but some should never go to sea.

Can we tell the difference on a forum?

What are our responsibilities as a community?

Here's a cautionary tale from someone who tried to dissuade a dock-mate. He went anyways and put himself and his crew at risk. And learned nothing.

I think the actual question on its own is very belittleling and arrogant to even think this. But, I assume topic starter just wanted to inventarise views and opinions here.

I will never ever tell anyone to go or not to go or not to do something, unless maybe when it is unlawful (but even then, it is not my business to do so).

If all the people in the world were told this throughout history, we still would live in caves wearing a bear skins and eating raw meat. If people want to discover, rise above themselves and do their thing: good luck to them!!

[Rustic Charm]

I reckon, if you have the inclination, the money, the time, throw caution to the wind and head out past the black stump beyond bourke.

One of the things you simply cannot determine on forums is a person's abilitites. You can determine to some extent their knowledge on a subject, but you cant determine if someone is learning and the knowledge base is growing for them.

Then there is language

Its also difficult to determine someones vessel ability.

[boatman61]

When its blatantly obvious their sailing experience comes from 20 viewings of Capt' Ron..
"I can do that.. gimme a boat..!!"


Tell em to GO...

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Group9

If knowing the Colregs or inland navigational rules were actually required for boating, ninety five percent of the people boating now, couldn't!!!

We are all screwed then aint we?

[barnakiel]

Some of us assume, IMHO wrongly, that if something is available in print, video, or any other published form, this constitutes an example.

In fact, few, if any, sailors of small or poorly prepared boats make such a claim. And everybody is free to share their story. Or do we want to read only stories from well equipped, competently sailed and maintained boats that participate in Rallies patronized by Yachting World?

Frankly, I get much more inspiration from the other kind. And it is inspiration, not organization, that makes thing happen.

b.