Previous ship handling experience?

[Akula4745]

Originally Posted by runningdeer

Wow, a real Captain...thats pretty cool.

I think the cool thing was the freedom... great for a young man, but cannot imagine doing it now.

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

I still sail pretty often on the intercoastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean on my brother's Catalina 25.

I figured as much from you, RR. Ever get down to Fort Pierce? Got a sister and Bro-in-law on south island (Hutchinson Island). I was just down there visiting the weekend before Memorial Day. Beautiful area down there... when I see water like that sometimes I almost miss the boating days.

Originally Posted by Fish40

Hey Akula, I'm thinking about SeaSchool for a Captain's license myself.

Hey Fish40 - if things are still the same as back in the day... a 100 ton license turns out to be a lot more valuable than a six pack license (You said small charter operation). Best I can recall the navigation questions were very basic - it was the Any Ocean test which was a bastardo!

Originally Posted by groomsie

A bigger part however--and anyone who has even driven a boat grasps this on some level--is the ability to "eyeball" a situation in close quarters, to grasp the relative motion aspect and determine if you are standing into real danger of collision. This is something I've thought about in maneuvering in on the surface where visibility may be low and things moving quickly, I can rely a bit on my gut as far as if I have bearing drift (and if it is in the direction I desire) and adjust course / speed that way a bit.

Originally Posted by Highbury

It does make a difference though. In SHIII I used to always back my sub into the pens. Watching some people I have gotten into the game has been painful at times.. as groomsie was saying, there is an ability to eyeball and more importantly, to anticipate needed. Most people are only used to controlling vehicles with much more motive friction then a boat, they expect stopping to happen shortly after throttling down. Lack of actual brakes + heave and swell just add to the confusion.

Yes... what they said! It is most decidedly an acquired set of skills. I find myself taking it all the way into the harbor too, Highbury.