First of all, I feel very strongly about getting professional instruction, from a highly qualified instructor who has taught structured courses, and maybe made up their own courses.
Apparently being on lessons or seminars with other people is not what you wish to experience.
I cannot speak for
Mexico, but I hold a U.S.C.G merchant
marine officer
license, 5th issue and have been teaching sailing,
motor vessels
safety at sea , navigation, etc for about 30 years. Add in charter and deliver skipper, and floatila leader in the
south pacific , and
caribbean, and
california coast and channel islands.
That leaves the sometimes controversial question of private lessons on your boat.
1. You might follow thru with your idea of Private lessons by a pro on your vessel . min 3 hrs per lesson for basic and intermediate, ( sets of 3 each ) 6 hrs for advanced. Plus private seminar on Coastal Piloting and Navigation . One full weekend, or three week nights .
2. Stowing all personal
gear and boat inventory. NOTHING CAN GO ADRIFT
3. Boat Systems, not just
GPS ans Auto pilot and press the start button
.
*
engine room, any signs of fluid
leaks, check
oil, trans. fluid,
engine coolant,
all belts, check dip stick is snug and secure, check for
leaks again after engine
has been running
4.
Electronics,
VHF radio procedures, fresh
water pressure, check and close all
taps,
shower,
galley and
marine head sink taps. Turn of fresh water breaker.
Visually check all
Fuel and Fresh Water
tanks.
deck plates secure.
Top of all
tanks and check that all gages read as they should.
VHF radio procedures,
weather, ship to ship, emergencies, may day, pan,
security. Calling and working channels. SOUND SIGNALS WHISTLE ,
FOG and manuevering, and
distress.
5.
Batteries and
electrical :, Check
battery water if possible,
Battery Master switch, check volt meter, one, two, and both . Set battery on both for Start. ( Or engine ).
Master
electrical panel check and set all breakers, Turn off those not in use..
House battery after engine shutdown.
Check all breakers and check each item itself.
Wind, kt meter, VHF, wind
indicators, all navigation items, all running lights,
anchor light, spreader
lights ' steaming light.
Anchor Windlass,
cabin lights,
cockpit light.
Stove safety switch.
Stove operation, tank location and proper method to change tanks, fire fighting
and how to handle on board fires A, B, and C.
6. Check all
safety equipment, Fire Extinguisher (
inspection dates , proper number,
locations and proceduress. Flare gun kit.
Distress flag. M.O.B. Pole and
horsehoe, first aid kit. tool kit, bungs.
Life Jackets, condition, number of adult, child, type, easy to access location.
7.
marine head operation, all valve settings for
holding tank or
overboard.
8. Valve settings for fresh water, and ice box drain.
Emergency shut off valve for
fuel
9.
Knot tying, bowlines, rolling hitches, figure 8 knots, sheet bends, clove hitches,
proper cleat hitches.
10. Check ships
compass with your hand bearning
compass...check headings match
Also check the auto pilot heading matches up.
12. Engine Start procedures : Center
wheel, gears in neutral, battery switch set,
Prop clear of obstructions, or dinghy painter. Glo
plug as required, Set throttle,
start, check trans . operation. Check over the stern for
coolant water flowing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top side: Check life lines and stanchions, and all standing and running
rigging, Know the location and maybe color of each line.
Fenders and
dock lines stowed .
Add in : Sail hoisting, proper tension on the luffs, foot , and leach. All, pre checks for hoisting the main sail. Know every running
rigging line and what they do.
for the
jib, proper placement of sheet blocks .
Then sailing, sail trim, points of sail, heading up, falling off, coming about, jibing, heaving to, getting out of irons.
Docking under sail and power.
Again , this is just the beginning if you may wish to learn to be a good and safe and skilled sailor.
There is much, much more. You choice as who you select as an instructor. Beware of the bar talk. You might ask you prospective person who says he will teach you, see if he begins with some the above .
The ocean does not love you, and it is a good plan to learn everything you can by study, on board lessons, seminars, continued reading practics and the big one, GAIN EXPERIENCE.
Who ever is going to train you, ask for a syllabus , lesson plan, of what he is going to teach you. If possible, get a pro and get his
references.
All of the above and much more should be on his list that he can hand you. And, it should be structured and orderly. But, that all is if you wish to take all that into consideration .
Most people will not put in the time and effort , and that is all up to the individual.
And , one last point, even us old, really old salts, are continuing to learn, We will never know it all.
You all have the correct idea, of not listening to the mantra, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SAIL A DINGHY.
Good fortune, fair winds, and congrats on your
new boat .
Oh, yes, and HAVE FUN !