Then I waited anxiously for the months to pass. I arrived in Portland at the end of July and explored the charming waterfront area while waiting for the start of my sailing school adventure. The next day I was welcomed aboard.
Students ranged in age from a high school senior to 40- or 50-something, and our skill ranged from complete novice to experienced sailor. Right away we gathered on deck for our first lesson in coastal navigation.Larry guided us as we developed a compass rose and chart, writing directly on the cabin top!
(Larry removes the marks after every class.) We learned about charts by making one, focusing on the most critical parts of the chart without the confusion of numerous markings. We learned how to measure for the appropriate placement of latitude and longitude lines. We charted several practice routes.

On our first sail we kept track of our location using a taffrail log and charted our progress on our cabin top chart, as well as on a real chart. Larry’s experience as a maths teacher helped us to quickly grasp the concept of dead reckoning.

Following our “classroom” instruction and a delicious lunch served in the cockpit, Larry directed Kate, the high school senior, to steer as we set off on our first sail. He calmly gave her instructions as she motored the 52-footer away from the dock and out of the harbour. I doubt I would have been that calm turning over the wheel of our boat to a novice. We could hear the tension in Kate’s voice when she said,