BLUEMOMENT

We are going to Falmouth to do the Dazed Kipper Practical. In preparation I'm swatting tides and stuff that I don't normally take much notice of other than when we can get through tidal gates and when its with us or against us.

I decided to do a secondary ports calc in retrospect for Loch Aline on 2nd August, when we dried out to antifoul.

I couldn't find the info that I need to use the curves and graphs in the RYA exercise books. I have tide tables and the CCC K to A book.

Would Reeds help? If I shell out for a Reeds what is the advantage of going for the loose leaf one vs the book? I don't fancy going electronic just yet but may eventually.

Sticking Chiron on the beach 2 hours after local high water and floating off again about 8 hours later worked but I don't think that will cut the mustard for the Exam.

When are you going, Bob?
If it fits in you can borrow my Reeds

I'm thinking more long term, what to equip the boat with for next year. I suppose the tidal curves and constants are ermmmm constant, I will just need annual tide tables once I have an almanac?

To practice secondary ports I can do one of the exercises in Erica's bumpf from the theory course last year. Or even my bumpf from years ago, I still have the question papers and almanac excerpts.

I'm not taking anything on the course, I'm assuming the boat will be equipped.
Each student taking their own gear seems a bit much to me.

Thanks for the offer though, much appreciated.

Well, you are correct in thinking that an old set of secondary port data and tidal curves will do - just using a current set of tide tables is a much cheaper way of doing it.
We had a loose leaf version of reeds a few years ago - it disintegrated!

Secondary ports was perhaps my weakest part of my RYA yachtmaster, as I'd misinterpreted what was required.
I wasn't specifically asked to do secondary ports, rather to plan a passage to Portrush (from Rhu) with Portpatrick as a "bolthole". (This was set before the test, I was to bring it along with me, and I consulted no-one about this)
I though this was a crazy bolthole (too shallow, too far out of the way etc), so did a full plan with several other "boltholes" that made more sense to me. But the inclusion of Port Patrick was to test the aspect of secondary ports, being shallow - and therefore you need to know when entry is possible- and also that its primary table is Liverpool.
If I'd done a course with someone to prepare me for the test, I might have been told to expect this, and told why it was being asked. Missing the significance, and therefore the chance to prove I knew it, cost me a re-sit. I don't blame the examiner, he was really fair.

I can lend a Reeds without feeling guilty at using Fleetwood Public Library's copy .....