Passage To Poole

First stop: Swanage Bay

In a comfy corner to windward of the wheel, I stretched and put the paws up. The perfect location to supervise André the owner, Bernard the RYA Instructor Magnificent*, and the Can Opener as he rocketed about as ‘Skipper-of-the-Day’. 

I’m a low key manager who likes to rule from behind by dint of a nuclear-radiating personality and the occasional swipe to the Achilles’ tendon. A kind of Chaircat of the Board, if you will.

Every minute you spend planning is repaid many times over. We knew this when we were doing the passage planning and chartwork the day before we set off to Poole. But seeing the plan executed really underlined Bernard’s message.

We were up bright and early, breakfasted and doing boat checks while the dew was still on the deck. Tidal calculations were checked and rechecked. The weather report noted and compared for continued compatibility with our plan. We were headed out the famous (and challenging) Needles Channel in a blow, so the plan had to be perfect. All was set to go. And so we went…

Through Needles, the sea state was ‘rough’. The Met Office defines this as about 8 to 12 foot waves. And this narrow channel is bordered on both sides by enormous pointy rocks rearing out of the sea to the east and jagged pointy rocks lurking below the surface forever to the west. 

Of course, you never think to take photos at the time (the Needles photo above is from another calmer day…). You’re riveted on the sailing.

 

The first night of the passage we picked up a mooring buoy in Swanage Bay (see leading photo at top) just south of our final destination. 

The second day, after skills drills allllllllllll day with Bernard, we pulled into the night-calm harbour at Poole. The glorious sunset made it all worthwhile.

 

Destination made: Pulling in to Poole

Could we have packed any more learning into our time with Bernard? I think not. 

Passage planning, berthing, anchoring and mooring practice, even some crew overboard work. It was a fantastic and very full training schedule. And much appreciated. 

The entire team has loads to think about and much to practice going forward.

 

–Captain Cat 

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

* Bernard Mitchell works with the Hamble School of Yachting. Ask for him by name. He’s in great demand. Plan ahead.

Cruising Fitness – Progress Review

This is NOT the Can Opener. But if Captain Cat were human, he would look JUST like this.

 

How’s the First Mate shaping up these days?

It’s good to know where you’ve been. Looking back at my scrupulously kept records, I was surprised to see just how far the First Mate has come in one short year. 

While we will always press on, we are pleased with his progress thus far. Three stars and a catnip free-for-all for the Can Opener! 

(Hey, Furrball – it’s supposed to be about rewards that I would like!   Mmph? Who would not like catnip?? The First Mate doth speak in riddles…)

Current Training Plan 2012

• Strength Training: 4x/week, 30 minutes per session, 25% increase in weights carried over last year
• Cardio: 4x/week at the gym, 45 minutes per session, includes 25% intensity increase 2x/week (ie interval training begun). Treadmill, bikes, x-trainer
  
• Crunches: 3x/week, 150-200/day
• Flexibility: stretching before and after, 5 minutes x2

Last Year’s Training Plan
Here’s the point that he started from in 2011…

• Strength Training: 3x/week, 30 minutes per session
• Cardio: 4x/week at the gym, 30 minutes per session. Treadmill, bikes, x-trainer.
• Crunches: 100/day, 3x/week
• Flexibility: stretching before and after, 5 minutes x2

Could I push the Can Opener harder? Of course, I could! But I know this guy. Slow and steady wins the race.

Could he cruise without this fitness training? Of course, he could. Many – even most – cruisers probably do. Seems like a good idea to get him in shape though. I may need some tuna crates hefted out of the bilge-bottom depths of a boat locker someday. He needs to be prepared.

Cost so far

• I have moved the Can Opener to a gym that only costs £216/year ($344/year) or just £18/month ($29/month)! It doesn’t have a pool though… 
• (Last year’s gym was a little dearer: £360/year ($593/year) ie. £30/month for gym membership on special offer. It didn‘t have a pool either. This was a pretty average cost in our town.)
• £50 ($82) – last year’s training shoes, on sale 

What sports/exercise best translate to a live-aboard life?

What else should I add to the Can Opener’s fitness programme? Yoga? T’ai Chi? Any suggestions gratefully received.

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

How Much Does ‘Cruising’ Fitness Cost?

How Much Does ‘Cruising’ Fitness Equipment Cost? 

How much will it cost to keep the Can Opener in fine form? The First Mate and I industriously researched a few items of interest along ‘Cruising’ Fitness Equipment lines. 

Here’s a sampling of prices for some popular on-board fitness items we found at the websites of a few big retailers. 

Of course, caveat emptor and prices change all the time. This is just a baseline price trawl for rough budget estimating purposes.

 
Here we go… 

Some Ballpark Prices in the USA  

• resistance tubing ($5-15 at Walmart)
• yoga DVD ($7-20 at Amazon depending which one you buy, $5 if you buy used)
• snorkeling gear (about $30 at Amazon for a medium quality set)
• skipping rope ($5-10 at Amazon, you can spend $40 if you want somebody’s idea of the ‘Olympic’ version…)
• Mini Stepper, Stairmaster-type equipment ($40-70 at Walmart depending on what brand you buy) 
• TRX Suspension Trainer ($150-200 at Amazon depending on what package you buy)
• folding bike – good for getting to the store and back ($140-260 at Amazon) and bike repair kit ($25-38 at Amazon)

Some Ballpark Prices in the UK

• resistance tubing (£9-12 at Sports Direct)
• yoga DVD (£2-10 at Amazon UK depending which one you buy)
• snorkeling gear (£18-26 at Sports Direct for just a ‘fun set’)
• skipping rope (£5-14 at Sports Direct) 
• Mini Stepper, Stairmaster-type equipment (£35-120 at Amazon UK depending on what brand you buy)
• TRX Suspension Trainer (£160-200 at Amazon UK depending on what package you buy)
• folding bike – good for getting to the store and back (£100-210 at Amazon UK) and bike repair kit (£10-15 at Amazon UK)

 
Observed  

Above samples are for ‘new’ prices. eBay pros and secondhand treasure-hunters, of course, can drive great bargains.

If you’re into scuba, kayaking or high end bikes and boards, you could spend a bundle. 

But if you’re like us, you can stay in shape with a pair of running shoes, a swimsuit and some pretty nominal purchases. And… no more gym fees! Which is good news for the budget-conscious crowd.


Conclusion
We will probably choose get most of the above – except for the Mini Stepper and the TRX. We’re not yet convinced.  I’d like to investigate more to see if the TRX really adds that much value beyond what the resistance tubing provides.

The folding bike, on the other hand, will probably pay for itself pronto by getting us past the tourist-priced areas near marinas and out to the food and shopping markets used by locals. 

Where did you buy your play/exercise stuff? Would you buy it there again? Any recommendations for good price-value brands?

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Life Aboard 
Previously: Fitness on Boats

Fitness on Boats

If Captain Cat were human, he would look just like this. The Can Opener does not.

Can Opener: So. This Voyaging Fitness Routine you’ve been researching for me… result?

Captain Cat: It’s a work in progress. Here’s what I’ve got so far…

    While at sea

    Muscles

• muscle work with resistance tubing ($10-15 at Walmart)
• TRX Suspension Trainer (costs about $150-200)
• stretches and yoga (cost of a DVD)
• giving the Captain his daily massages
• heavy lifting of fresh-caught fish into Captain’s dinner dish

      

    Aerobics

• This is a lot harder to find an answer for at sea. The Voyager’s Handbook recommended some ship-size Mini Stepper, Stairmaster-type equipment ($40 at Walmart). Don’t know how well it would work if we were heeling. It looks like just one more thing to pack, but we’ll check it out.

    

    While at the dock:

    Add more aerobic exercise to the above…

• jogging
• skipping rope like a boxer
• cycling and kayaking (folding bike and kayak on the ‘potential equipment’ list) 
• swimming / snorkeling excursions
• dragging the Captain’s groceries home

That should about do it.

Can Opener: Er… what about fitness for you, mon capitaine?

Captain Cat: I am a perfect specimen. There is no improving upon this. 

And I will exert myself to keep our yacht mouse-free at all times. Just as I do in our current abode.

Can Opener: How would anyone know if you’re any good with mice? There’s nothing here to catch!

Captain Cat: Exactly.

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Life Aboard 
Next: How Much Does ‘Cruising’ Fitness Cost?
Previously: Sailing Strength Training