from Elisabeth Thordin

Just writing a few of my thoughts so far about the trip and MOY Coastal class. First of all, I like the fact that I’m the only one taking the Coastal; Lou has been really good about taking time out for me and working me through the theory by talking and doing. Yesterday I used a handheld compass for the first time and took a bearing on a distant ship and I was really pleased that Lou and I got the same reading! The practical aspect of the class (e.g., using a handheld compass, figuring out variation using Argo’s course, etc.) is so useful for understanding the meaning of the words in the course notes. This instant application of theory has been incredibly advantageous. I remember reading the course notes in February and not really understanding when, why, exactly how I would put that information into a meaningful form. It’s all coming together being on board, though.

I also think it’s great I’m able to take the class being the only one in it. In my experience, when there are not enough sign-ups, the class is cancelled. I feel really lucky that I am receiving one-on-one teaching time because of course it is ideal. I can immediately ask about what I do not understand, not having to worry about stopping the flow of class with regard to classmates. And of course I feel my money has been especially well spent! I actually went to Lou the other day (after a few initial days of dreading going below because of the queasiness, rockiness (is that a word?), and general stench of unpleasantness that resided there) uncertain of my willingness to go through with the course. I felt that perhaps what I thought I wanted was not exactly what I wanted, and maybe taking this course was a huge waste of money because I didn’t know if I would be motivated enough to do anything with it once I left Argo. But Lou encouraged me to stick with it, saying he’d walk up and down the docks of Gibraltar with me with a sign saying “work wanted” if he had to (I may still hold him to that, hahaha). And I agreed to continue with it because after all I like the course material, I like the fact that I’ll know lots of things I didn’t before, and I’ll have used the information for a real purpose in the real world. And anyway, it’s only been a week and I’m starved for mental stimulation :o) In all seriousness, I came to this because I wanted to learn about a life on the sea. After having lived beside it my whole life and marveling at it, and then meeting those yachties last summer and coming to realize I had much to explore in this world, it seemed fated for me to find out about this program. So whether or not I spend a career or just a season in yachting I will still be glad that I went for it and took the chance to find out whether the reality was as good as the dream.

Now I know I’m not the average newbie yachtie. From what I gathered from my classmates in Ft. Lauderdale, they know a thing or two about boats, engines, and the like. Or at least about five-star service. I, it seems, have led a pretty sheltered life (but don’t worry, I’m making changes to that). Until April 2010, I had never ridden a jetski, used a handheld compass, been able to work the no-flush head system (therefore precluding me from using the head in the manner for which it was designed), steered a sailboat with any clue that that was what I was doing, driven a RIB, been out of sight of land for more than one day, worked with sails, used my arm muscles for any particularly good use…. Getting the idea? But I can now check all these things off a list and I’m so glad for it.

Also the average newbie to the yachting industry wouldn’t spend a fair sum of money on a trip and course and gear for the purpose of “testing it out.” But I’m me and sometimes I do crazy things like that. This time I did a crazy thing like that because (1) I could, and (2) I felt it would be a great experience even if I decided I did not want to pursue a career in yachting. It’s that second reason that really made me lay out the money. What I’m trying to say is, for most, this is probably too pricy an endeavor and the timing isn’t ideal for getting to the Med, but the bottom line is I think this is the only way to learn.

Thanks for helping talk me into it, not that you really needed to J

Thanks to GLOBAL SATELLITE of Fort Lauderdale, FL.