Parental brag

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

My son Alex, aged 17, is into the national finals of the Sea Cadets sailing competition, having won the regional and area heats, and has been selected as one of two instructor assistants for the summer, which means he has a summer job and the Navy will pay for his qualification as an RYA Dinghy Instructor, which in turn means he can earn money by sailing in the vacations throughout the rest of his academic career.

I am well chuffed with him.

[skuthorp]

And so you should be, I hope he's pleased with himself as well.
I learned my sailing in a sea scout troop that had started life as a sail training establishment for the RAN, the Ancient Mariner's Society.

[wizbang 13]

Good Glowing!

[Stiletto]

Congratulations to you both!

[Concordia...41]

Congratulations!

[johnw]

Excellent!

[Wayne Jeffers]

. . .

I am well chuffed with him.

As well you should be! Congratulations to you both!

Wayne

[Phil Y]

I wish I could earn money sailing Nice one.

[chas]

"My son Alex, aged 17, is into the national finals of the Sea Cadets sailing competition, having won the regional and area heats,"

Nationals, eh? Best of luck from here and let us know the outcome, OK? / Jim

[Durnik]

He's done you proud, good show!

enjoy
bobby

[Breakaway]

Outstanding!

Kevin

[Robbie 2]

Well done

[gilberj]

Congratulations to you both !!!!

[CapnJ2ds]

Yes indeed! Well done that lad.

BTW, what do Sea Cadets sail over there?

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

The basic Sea Cadet sailing dinghy is the Bosun, a sort of squaddie-proofed GRP version of the venerable RNSA 14. The Bosun is the RN's official Training dinghy; they never made it into civvy street because, I fancy, the squaddie proofing makes them exxpensive.

To quote the Class Association: In 1959 the RNSA decided that there was a need to replace the existing 14ft RNSA Dinghy, used for training and recreational purposes.
2. The basic requirements were for a tough, stable craft, able to operate easily from ship or shore, fast enough to be rewarding to sail and to attract skilled dinghy helmsmen, sailor proof and to require the minimum of maintenance, suitable for open water sailing with built in buoyancy to support four persons, capable of being righted and sailed away without outside assistance, and to have stability suitable for training and encouraging learners.
3. The Admiralty invited some thirty firms to tender for a design, and from this invitation five craft were ordered of four different constructions, which consisted of a Prototype Bosun, two Albacores (one extra heavily built), the Lazy 'E' by Jack Holt and one supplied by Portsmouth Dockyard. All these were thoroughly tested out in the Solent, and the Bosun was selected.
4. The 14ft Bosun was really developed from the original 12ft Alfa (rather like a National 12) also a fibreglass boat, and both were designed by Ian Proctor. The rights in it were secured by Bossoms Boat Yard Limited, Medley, Oxford. The Prototype was moulded by Bourne Plastics Limited of Nottingham and fitted out by Bossoms. It was a condition that if the design was accepted, the Ministry of Defence would have the right to the design for its own purposes, because they were paying for the tools and the Prototypes, but that the sole commercial rights would remain with the Company offering the successful boat.
5. In this case it was a joint feature, as Messrs Bossoms Boat Yard Limited has a half share with Bournes. Some twenty-one Mark Is went into service during the year beginning September 1961. Trials went on for about eight months, a number of minor points arose from these trials and all suggested modifications were incorporated in the Bosun Mark II, the first of which went into service with the Portsmouth Command Sailing Centre in April 1963.
6. After the original order had been fulfilled, the contract was given to Ferranti Limited of Anglesey, who built between 200-300 boats. The contract then passed to Messrs Moore and Sons of Wroxham. This firm held sole commercial rights and has been responsible for building the majority of Bosuns afloat today. Late in 1974 the contract passed to Thames Marine Limited of Canvey Island Essex.

7. The particular features about the Bosun which appealed were the rigidity of the hull; the excellent built-in buoyancy and the ability for one person to drop the mast which stands on a tabernacle and falls aft, the forestay having a terylene tail reeved through the bow sheave. This is wonderful for travelling, enabling a relatively inexperienced crew to rig and be away quicker than most other Classes. It is not a light boat, average weight being about 375lbs but it has a turn of speed and, from a novice point of view, it is most stable and yet can give that degree of interest expected in a lighter boat.

http://www.bosundinghy.co.uk/

The style of the Bosun is shown by its teak stempiece, to take the repeated impacts that would chip a pure GRP hull!

Beyond the Bosun they sail Toppers, Picos, Laser 2000's and RS200s. I am informed that "only instructors" get to sail the RS200!

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Well that beats a media studies O level.

Well done Alex.

[Peerie Maa]

Kudos.

[Lew Barrett]

Chipping in; Stay proud!

[orbb]

That's a great Father's Day present (not sure you celebrate that in the UK, but congrats anyway!)

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Thanks Ripley and yes, from the Navy's point of view it's a mark on the resume. He decided that the Navy was for him when he was 9 and has never faltered.

[potomac]

Thanks Ripley and yes, from the Navy's point of view it's a mark on the resume. He decided that the Navy was for him when he was 9 and has never faltered.

That sort of determination and focus is often found in high-achieving people. Much of that has probably always been a part of your boy. That you are the sort of dad who would post about his accomplishments here speaks volumes too. Your pride has not gone unnoticed- here or by your son. Congratulations to you both.

[The Bigfella]

Congratulations to the future Admiral Alex... and well done to his mentor.

[Portland]

I second Ian.
Rob J.

[Mrleft8]

I am well chuffed with him.

This is a good thing...... Right?

Is this the same son who enjoys cooking, as well?

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Number two son is the cook.

Meanwhile number three son, the one I got ready made, spent his first morning at kindergarten and came home with two stars, for drawing a circle. (Actually, he did draw a pretty good circle!)

His proud Mummy took this picture.