Canadian Yachting February 2021 - 98

CROSSING THE LINE

OF COURSE:

SOME LESSER KNOWN
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
By | John Morris
We at Crossing the Line are roundly delighted to be part of Canadian Yachting's Educational Issue. While CPS and other sources
help boaters understand navigation and seamanship, frankly, the boating skills you really need are often beyond those august organizations' definition of 'useful', or 'legit'. That's why we are here.
In this column, we consider some of the less well-known courses available.
The Tools You Didn't Remember To Bring is offered by Laverne Loos, a rarely spoken to, distant cousin of the inventor of the Loos
Gauge, the go-to means of assessing shroud tension in sailboats. Laverne explains that when you head to your boat for a repair, more
times than not you arrive without the tool you really need. That's because it's lost under cans of dead paint in your basement or you
never owned it in the first place. Part 2, Mooching, starts with terminology: 'borrow a tool' means 'if you need it later, I may still
have it somewhere' whereas 'which tool would you use to loosen a fuel filter' translates to 'could you do this for me while I go for
a burger'.
Plugging in your Boat, a course so far not endorsed by CSA, takes a look at onboard power system compatibility for cruisers. The
instructor, Shocks Grounding, takes a look at the various pigtails, adaptors, connecting bridges, spares, fuses, alligator clamps,
insulated gloves and emergency first aid equipment you will need to carry aboard your boat. Unfortunately, all this gear leaves very
little room for lunch, so Shocks prefers the option of carrying a volume of existential Kierkegaard quotes such as " Life can only be
understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards " . Equipped with that philosophy, power connection issues are easily resolved.
Getting Over It for Families provides an opportunity for the kids and parents to get involved in boating at the most fundamental
level. This suite of lessons starts with " Why Do The Feldmans Have That Boat, While We Only Have This Piece Of Detritus? " This
experiential tutorial helps children lovingly understand that while boats are beautiful, their parents are a bit dim and cannot quite get
into the snack bracket required for a really impressive boat. The lesson simply entitled 'Sharing' helps kids understand that when a
parent screams " Shut up and go below " what they really are trying to say is let's enjoy this lovely day on the water together. Dealing
with damage liability and alimony are also part of this course.
The popular cooking and baking TV shows that are sweeping the nation inspire Dock Snacks are not all Liquid. Replicating
real-life boat handling circumstances, boat gourmets enrolled in the course put on foul-weather aprons to prepare a dinner for six in
a driving line squall; perfect a meringue desert while the dock is undulating wildly when a gang of rogue PWCs storm through the
harbour; and kedging the boat off a shoal when the student/contestants leave the helm briefly to check if the beef Wellington is medium-rare. In this course you will also learn how to avoid tripping over a bollard carrying a tray of mini quiche, assuaging potentially
life-endangering bagel cutting injuries on board and remove icing from the steering system.

CANADIAN YACHTING | FEBRUARY 2021

Canadian Yachting February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting February 2021