Sailing Insights: The Joys of Teaching at WoodenBoat School
In preparation for this year’s summer season in Brooklin, Maine at the WoodenBoat School, we were asked to complete a survey. It was a tough assignment! Here are my responses.
What class are you teaching this year, and why?
This year, I am teaching Elements of Sail I and II because the students in these classes are wonderful. The teamwork, the comraderie, and the volume of learning is so rewarding. Also, because I get to co-teach with the lovely Sue LaVoie. Also, I’m teaching Craft of Sail because I wish to share my knowledge on sailing the larger vessels in a safe and satisfying manner. This size boat can be intimidating, and I wish to introduce sailors to the pride of operating a cruising-sized vessel. Also, I’m fan-girling Nora; because she is a special yacht with an impressive history.
If you could be on the water anywhere for a week, what would be the destination?
The destination for a week on the water matters not at all to me. From Cape Town SA to Cape Porpoise ME; as long as I’m on the water, I’m happy. No matter the location; there are skills to learn; tides, wind, marking systems, prevailing weather, boat handling. There’s always something new to absorb and appreciate.
Given the choice, would you rather be building or using a boat?
“Would I rather be building or using a boat” sounds like the chicken and the egg debate. I would rather be using a boat, and preferably, teaching on a boat. This is so I can share the incredible rewards that sailing provides.
What book are you reading while at anchor?
At anchor this season, I’m reading “Hemingway’s Boat.” Through Hemingway’s life’s ups and downs, one constant was his love of the sea and his boat. When I met Pilar, I gave her a kiss, and I cried. Just a little. Pilar represents escape, renewal, and the hope of the open sea. I’m savouring every page, turning them slowly, not wanting the book to end.
What is the one thing you never want to hear onboard?
Yelling. I never want to hear yelling on board. If we have trained properly, and things are going well; we are communicating calmly. If there is an emergency; we use our practiced plan of action, and communicate calmly. Also, I don’t want to hear hatch covers being slammed, winch handles dropped, or unexplained repetitive noises. My favorite sound on earth is the cough of an engine starting.
Are you managing the anchor or are you at the helm?
Am I managing the anchor or am I at the helm – neither. I’m usually neither at the helm nor managing the anchor. My students are doing both! One student is practicing checking depths, currents, prevailing winds, swing room, anchorage crowd. The other is prepping the hook to be dropped, minding the rode, signaling, then deploying the anchor.
What is your idea of the perfect boat?
The boat I’m on at this moment is the perfect boat. It’s the perfect boat for that moment, with the perfect companions for what the universe wants me to learn at that time.
If you were on the water for a day with any 3 people, who would you bring?
If I was on the water for a day with any three people, I would like to bring three people who have never had the opportunity to sail, and introduce them to the joys of sailing. That would be the easiest crowd to please, and most rewarding to experience their reactions because I know they would love it. If I could choose the three people; I would like to have a meteorologist, a chef, and a nurse. Sailing with three experienced friends also would be a great day on the water.
What is the tool or piece of gear you can’t live without?
The one tool I can’t live without on a sailboat is sunscreen, sunglasses, and a depth sounder or chart. If I’m limited to one piece of gear; make it sunglasses.
Which skill would you most like to have?
The skill I would most like to have is the ability to troubleshoot refrigeration and air conditioning on the boat. Learning celestial navigation, line splicing, even speaking other languages are all a matter of applying your brain to the subject. But, marine refrigeration and air conditioning seem to elude me even now.
What is the one album that you would want to have when shipwrecked?
I’m undecided over what one album I would want to have when shipwrecked. Maybe something classical. Actually, I’d rather have Amor Towles’ “Rules of Civility” on audio.
If you could take any class ever held at WoodenBoat School what would it be?
If I could take any class ever at WoodenBoat School, I would choose either a bronzecasting class, diesel engine class, or any of the boatbuilding classes. *Update July 20, 2025 – marlinspike seamanship – splicing.
What beverage will always be on board?
Water.
What is your motto?
“Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance Positively, Popeye” is right up there with “The sea will find all your mistakes” as my most often-recited mottoes. And “I will what I want.”
How did you get your start?
I don’t remember how I started sailing; it always was a part of our life, just like breathing. My family sailed Florida and the Bahamas regularly. Most holidays were celebrated on board; the Easter Bunny always found our boat, as did Santa Claus. I’ve never not sailed – sloops and ketches with family, and solo in elementary school in a pram, middle school years on cats, high school on sailboards, college racing 430s for my school, then off to deliveries, charters, and teaching. My professional start was working on a sailing yacht for an arms trader in the BVI and taking people sailing and swimming with wild dolphins in the Bahamas. Sailing is life!
