
Five Timeless Seamanship Lessons
In his Seamanship column for Boating’s July 1960 issue, Elbert Robberson wrote: “In daylight, objects around you are easy to identify.

In his Seamanship column for Boating’s July 1960 issue, Elbert Robberson wrote: “In daylight, objects around you are easy to identify.

You’re on your way home, feeling the last warmth of the sun as it kisses the horizon, when the cellphone rings.

In talking with boaters, be they readers, marina mates or folks I meet on the water, it’s become apparent that some are baffled by buoys.

Running the inlet, navigating the channel, backing into the slip: So much of what constitutes seamanship involves forging ahead with confidence.

Crack up your car, and the responding police officer, sheriff’s deputy or state trooper files any required report.

OK, for the moment, don’t think of yourself as the boater in peril. Instead, imagine yourself as the loved one concerned for an overdue boater and unsure.

Neglecting the little things can lead to big problems. (Just ask the guy who forgot to install the hull drain plug.)

It can seemingly happen in a heartbeat: a following wave stuffs and rolls your boat, and you’re in the water.


In his Seamanship column for Boating’s July 1960 issue, Elbert Robberson wrote: “In daylight, objects around you are easy to identify.

You’re on your way home, feeling the last warmth of the sun as it kisses the horizon, when the cellphone rings.

In talking with boaters, be they readers, marina mates or folks I meet on the water, it’s become apparent that some are baffled by buoys.

Running the inlet, navigating the channel, backing into the slip: So much of what constitutes seamanship involves forging ahead with confidence.

Crack up your car, and the responding police officer, sheriff’s deputy or state trooper files any required report.

OK, for the moment, don’t think of yourself as the boater in peril. Instead, imagine yourself as the loved one concerned for an overdue boater and unsure.

Neglecting the little things can lead to big problems. (Just ask the guy who forgot to install the hull drain plug.)

It can seemingly happen in a heartbeat: a following wave stuffs and rolls your boat, and you’re in the water.
