YACHTMASTER DIARIES

Sam Donaldson is a Yachtmaster and self-confessed geek around motor cruisers, maintenance and generally looking after them and over the coming months will be sharing his many and varied experiences on the water.

“Just as I was starting to have an anxiety attack his phone rang and he asked if he could take the call, so I was delighted to retake the helm.” Hamble lifeboat on Southampton Water. Image: Ian Stewart/Shutterstock Having spent more than 20 years motor cruising with my family and friends - my children started their boating experiences at six months and six weeks respectively - I took the plunge and completed my Offshore Yachtmaster Theory and Practical five years ago. This was then commercially endorsed, so I now meet like-minded people, make new friends and get paid to do what I enjoy, which for me is the icing on the cake.

Recently I was lucky enough to complete my Powerboat Level 2 instructors course, which was very informative and helpful in developing my skipper skills. I was able to put these new skills into practice a few weeks later.

A couple of beginners I was asked to skipper for a young London couple with senior roles in finance. They wanted to develop their boat handling skills with the intention of completing further RYA training in the summer.

I arrived at the motorboat that I was skippering early on the Sunday morning, only to discover that a hen party was staying on a Fairline Phantom on the neighbouring berth. I had considered staying down on the Saturday night, but was glad I chose not to, as they all looked slightly the worse for wear.

They were all very nice ladies, though, and I helped out when they had a problem with their shore power. Observing social distancing etiquette, I was able to fix the problem, for which they offered me a much appreciated bacon sandwich from the cockpit grill as a thank you.

Later, when the young couple arrived at the marina I greeted them at the marina office, and they also looked like they had been partying the night before! They were drinking takeout coffees and wearing sunglasses on what was a rather cloudy day.

Keeping a close eye We left the marina and motored down into Southampton Water with yours truly at the helm, at which point the husband asked if he could take over the helm for some boat handling practice. I agreed but continued to keep a close eye on him, which was a very wise move as he spent more time watching the GPS than looking around at other boats, lateral markers and the sea conditions. Just as I was starting to have an anxiety attack his phone rang and he asked if he could take the call, so I was delighted to retake the helm.

Without sounding too eager I then asked his wife if she wanted to helm the boat. After some gentle persuasion, she took over the helm. She had never driven a boat of any type before and was an absolute natural. I felt very reassured that she had been observant earlier in the day and was very alert to other boaters and the sea conditions unlike Captain Chaos.

So, my lesson for the day was… ladies make excellent beginners.