Second day of classes started in the morning with a lesson on knot tying.  I remembered most of them from my old boy scout days, and it’s amazing how readily that knowledge comes back to you even after all these years.  Clove hitches, square knots and two-turns with two-half hitches were practiced, along with the bowline (rabbit runs out of the hole, around the tree, and back in the hole).  The bowline took a try or two to...

A new adventure began this weekend as I started classes for the ASA sailing certification!  The ASA (American Sailing Association) has a curriculum of classes designed to train someone in the operation, care, and legal regulations of a larger sized sailboat.  ASA 104 (or the equivalent level locally if not in the US) is required in order to charter a sailboat in many cases, and in general it is a good idea to have the hands on training they provide.  These classes lay a solid foundation to...