Crew changes are the hardest part of cruising

Trying to retrieve the kids in Camaret meant missing several tides and the only fine day

- LIBBY PURVES

Back in youth's happy days at the Oxford Poly, one thing never came up in Yachtmaster evening classes. We did triangular fixes and Estimated Position, the rule of twelfths, basic Morse and tidal diamonds; we even progressed to astro-nav, bravely faced the Marc St Hilaire method and vowed never to have to use it. And on one magical night we went up on the roof with a sextant and proved, by star-sights, that we were obviously somewhere just outside Dundee.

But nothing in RYA training covered the nightmare of crew changes. It's all very well for round-the-world racers and OSTAR singlehanders as their cruise planning is gorgeously basic: set off, cross relevant ocean, usually finish where they were meant to, slaves to nothing but wind and sea. At no point do they double as travel agents, rough-guide budget advisers, or social workers specialising in care of the chronically indecisive.

Skippers and their consorts absolutely do. Especially when they have reached an age and dignity which lets the summer cruise linger on through all the best months. Take a modest Channel cruise, to be joined and left by various family and friends as it progresses. Call our vessel the SY