Extending the Day Skipper’s range: to Iceland, singlehanded Murray Longmore thought he would expand his horizons – and chose a trip that would stretch the paramaters of his sailing qualifications
Boat test – Jeanneau 55
There comes a time in the life of every Day Skipper when he or she looks at the horizon and thinks ‘... with each dot being a step into the unknown. Not the unknown of a geographical enigma (there are very few of these left on Earth) but the personal unknown. Could I cope?...Would I enjoy?...Would my boat fall to bits if I venture beyond the known weather forecast?’
A paradox: Day Skippers are licenced for daylight sailing. So isn’t a trip into the unknown a contradiction, as night sailing is required to sail beyond the forecast, which is a good three days or so? But what if the voyage is to Iceland at around the time of the summer solstice? There are no nights, and no excuses. Just the cool light of day in which to plan and face the challenge.
I have never graduated beyond the stage of Day Skipper, through fear of failure. I would rather be a successful Day Skipper than a failed Yachtmaster. Also, when I sail, I don’t feel master of anything; the best I can hope for is an uneasy compromise between my skills, the boat’s innate capabilities, and the ocean itself. And it is the ocean that is master, that chooses the song that I must dance to. I am not for a moment suggesting that the new Day Skipper should immediately attempt a voyage such as this, but it is never too soon to start the long process of planning and gaining experience to enable you to become the sailor you want to be.
Of course, the Day Skipper can call on help in the form of an experienced crew. This is sensible, if one’s chances of success are good. But what if the fear of failure dogs our imaginations? The skipper is responsible for the lives of his crew, and for preparing the boat for all eventualities. What if I have overlooked something vital? We have all been plagued by these sinking feelings the night before we cast off. I may be digging my own watery grave; there is no need to drag others down with me. Also, a crew adds complexities. For example, schedules which necessitate an unoptimised date of departure. A crew divides the attention of the skipper, who must put their welfare first, so there is less mental space for dealing with the ocean itself. Another reason is that the skipper must show leadership to his or her crew. A leader must be decisive. I am not a natural leader. I often want to change my mind such as steer left or right of my course? Speed up or slow down? Sh
