In fact (he continued), the sort of multi-tasking women are good at is essential as skipper of a yacht - keeping tabs on progress; sail setting; navigating; avoiding the tanker bearing down on you; threading your way through a fishing fleet; keeping all the crew adequately busy, fed & watered; getting enough sleep oneself etc. - all at the same time. So I fully expect to find that many of the women who do this job are better at it than many of the men.

What I have found from my limited experience of girls and women in yachts is that their lesser physical strength can make it difficult. When it come to pulling the tiller up to counteract a broach, winching in the genoa or heaving up the hook you need power, often in a hurry. But the good skipper will take account of all his crew's strengths and weaknesses, giving everyone a task just within - or even slightly beyond - their abilities, helping them to achieve it where necessary.

Right. Nuff said. Off high horse.

Reactions, please.   Or just ignore me and maybe I'll go away.

Steve