The Purpose of this Blog/ Note to Readers

I am no seaman, but I have a great amount of enthusiasm for ships, boats, sailing, and seamanship- as well as the history of those subjects- particularly of Nelson's Navy.  I've spent plenty of time on boats, read all of the Aubrey-Maturin series, and a few Horatio Hornblower books here and there...but I am no seaman.  Nor am I a historian.

But, I'm doing my best to remedy these shortcomings, and I want you to come with me.

I've taken a sailing class, I'm reading A Young Officer's Sheet Anchor, and I'm scheduled to volunteer as a crew trainee on the Kalmar Nyckel (www.kalmarnyckel.org) later this year.  It is my intention to document my experiences, and make note information that cleared up any questions or uncertainties I may have had before I started expanding my horizons (literally, in this case). 

It is my hope that the information I glean from my experiences will be helpful to others who are where I am now: landlocked, with no more information than the internet and some movies and TV shows (and fictional books) can supply.

And for those of you who are already seamen, welcome!  Maybe you will enjoy revisiting some experiences you might share from when you first struck out to become a sailor.  Or maybe you can help answer some questions landsmen like myself might have!

A note to all readers: I am a beginner in seamanship and sailing, and therefore my information is not to be entirely relied upon.  If you think something is wrong, please let me know.  When reading this blog, please keep in mind that this is a record of my perceptions as I grow as a sailor, and as such is subject to my own misunderstandings or misconceptions.  I check most of my info, but some of it might not be right- so take it with a grain of salt! (no pun intended, I'm so sorry you guys)

Welcome all, really.  I'm excited to grow and learn as a sailor.  Maybe I'll help someone else along the way!

TL; DR: I'm a beginner and am not a super-reliable source of information.  I'm hoping that other people who are new to sailing can maybe find a place they can at least relate to.  And that the information here can at least clarify some issues or questions, even if it's not the whole answer.

Besides, it will be fun to look back and see how much stuff I got wrong!