First time as Skipper

[advocate777]

This week is my first time ever as Skipper- leaving for three (3) days from Rock Hall in the Chesapeake. I am so excited and eager to apply what I have learned in ASA 101, 103,104.
Wish me luck-- I am taking my two sons (age 18 and 15) with me and will be chartering an IP27.
No more instructors- just me and am also eager to try out and develop my Nav skills.
Woo-Hoo!!!!

[SkiprJohn]

Congratulations!
Please let us know what the courses prepared you for and what they didn't.
kind regards,

[jackdale]

Have great time. Put your sons on the helm while you navigate.

Let us know how it goes.

[Waterway Guide]

Congrats! Have a great time and stay safe!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Have fun!

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Congratulations!
Please let us know what the courses prepared you for and what they didn't.
kind regards,

That would be of interest .

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Congratulations!
Please let us know what the courses prepared you for and what they didn't.
kind regards,

Doubt it prepared him for this place....

Have a great sail mate... don't push it.. and try to dodge the 'Schedule'....

[Neo]

I can feel your excitement. I am only a few years ahead of you on the learning curve. Would love to hear about the lessons learned when you get back.

My only suggestion would be to avoid heavy weather or other challenging situations until you are sailing with a crew that has at least as much experience as you.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Have great time. Put your sons on the helm while you navigate.

Let us know how it goes.

+100!!!!

You will have a great time if you spread the responsibility, and have your sons do something they are completely capable of!

[Suijin]

Congrats and have a great time!

One piece of advice. Go over the boat thoroughly before you depart, making sure that everything checks out and that you know how everything works. This is something that the charter agent should go through you with, I believe. If possible, have your sons with you as well as it will make them feel empowered and included.

Also, make sure that they know how to start and operate the engine, how to work the VHF, where the primaries are and how they function, and how to handle your ground tackle. It will help to avoid miscommunications and frayed tempers when you ask them to do something and you need them to react accordingly instead of ask "How does this work?"

[advocate777]

Thanks for all the good advice - will do

[s/v Beth]

Advocate I suggest that you surf over to the "old girl founders" thread. Useful advice for a new skipper.

[mausgras]

I remember well my first solo skipper only last year. Apart from wrapping the mooring line around the keel at one anchorage and anchoring at another one safely in the lee only to get a wind change and find I was on the windward side halfway through what became a very sleepless night everything went quite well I thought. Oh and there was the time I tipped everyone out of the dinghy when we went ashore, but I don't count that.
Have fun! !!!!!