Posted by Willy Emerson (wllyemerson@…>)
Michel, Your response was absolutely perfect, and please do not apologize. I learned something from your comments, and others offered heartfelt responses, so all is good. I hope we can meet someday, Wills
----- Original Message ----From: michel.capel <michel.capel@…>To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.comSent: Monday, June 26, 2006 4:14:59 AMSubject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!
Dear all,I am sorry I have triggered so many negative emotions about this subject. I did not mean to hurt anybody’s feelings, and certainly not those of somebody owning a 30’ yacht or trying to get a position as crew on a yacht. My not being a native English speaker may have aggravated things.My appologies, Michel Capel— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, george herchenroether <g.herk@…> wrote:>> Mr. Emerson,> > I apologize for the remarks of Mr. Capel. You are welcome on my boat> anytime.> > George Herchenroether> > > On 6/25/06 8:36 AM, “Willy Emerson” <wllyemerson@ …> wrote:> > > > > > > > > > > I’ve got to start somewhere.> > > > ----- Original Message
----> > From: michel.capel <michel.capel@ …>> > To: freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com> > Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 5:56:48 AM> > Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!> > > > Before you can write ‘critical’ pieces about yachts and yachting,> > you first need to gain years of ocean sailing experience. A ‘ride’> > on a yacht will bring you little more than nauseousness. Certainly> > not anything that makes you credible as a writer about yachts and> > yachting. I know I sound a bit rude, but that’s how the facts are.> > > > Michel Capel> > > > — In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com> > <mailto:freedomyach ts2003%40yahoogr oups.com> , “W L Emerson”> > <wllyemerson@ …>
wrote:> >> >> >> > I am a free-lance writer who is facinated with yachts. I want to> >> > write critical pieces, creative pieces and travel-log pieces for> >> > yachting magazines. I need to take a ride on your yacht! I have> > no > >> > money, but I would write about your yacht in magazine pieces.> > Please > >> > contact me at otherpeoplesyachts@ … Thank you, and happy> >> > yachting!> >> >> > > > > > > >>
Posted by Dave_Benjamin (dave_benjamin@…>)
No worries. My Dutch is a lot worse than your English. For some
reason when I lived in Germany for a few years some of the locals
thought I spoke German with a Dutch accent. I have no idea why. The
only thing I can think of is that growing up I heard a lot of German
spoken around the house. Maybe that influenced how I spoke German
when I learned it in my early 20’s.
Having lived abroad I know full well how easy you can be
misunderstood speaking a non-native language. “No I didn’t mean to
say your grandmother should chew on a shoe!”
Cheers!
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “michel.capel”
<michel.capel@…> wrote:
Thanks Dave, for your confidence in my good intentions. And you’re
probably right about the English.
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Dave_Benjamin”
<dave_benjamin@> wrote:
I didn’t know Raban wrote a book about a trip round his native
Britain. His “Passage to Juneau” was bloody fantastic.
I think many people have misinterpreted Michel Capel’s response.
Keep in mind that Michel is Dutch and probably learned
the “Queen’s
English” whilst in school, rather than our version of the
language.
When the gentleman seeking a ride wrote that he planned to
write “critical pieces” I think Michel’s perception was that the
author intended to write about something he really didn’t know
about, for instance a technical review of a boat.
I’ve corresponded with Michel for close to 10 years and he’s not
an
elitist or snob.
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “Michael G Katz”
<mgkatz@> wrote:
As an experienced sailor who also aspires to write about it–
but
to date has only gotten 18 pages on paper–let me add this:
I recently finished reading Jonathan Raban’s Coasting and am
currently reading Adam Nicolson’s Seamanship. Raban bought a
boat
at age 40 and set out to circumnavigate Great Britain. Nicolson
didn’t know how to sail when he set out to explore the rugged
west
coast of the British Isles, although he was accompanied by a
friend
who had sailed. Both books combine sailing, travelogue, and
inner
dialogues on the nature of life. (Isn’t sailing the perfect
analogy
for life?) Both books are pretty entertaining, because the
writers
are good observers, have something to say, and write fairly
well.
Perhaps the fact that they are not too experienced makes the
books
even more entertaining–I am always fascinated by how far people
will push themselves in the ocean realm.
(And come to think of it, Richard Henry Dana was a young man
of
18
and a Harvard drop out when he took off on a ship around Cape
Horn
to the wild coast of California and wrote his classic Two Years
Before the Mast describing his adventures.)
So, Mr. Emerson, best of luck to you in both your sailing and
writing endeavors. It is a fascinating “sport,” and you will
learn
a lot very quickly…and then spend the rest of our life trying
to
learn the rest! I would take you with me on my summer cruise,
but
then my wife would miss out on having to trim sails and navigate
and
hold a course and it would simply spoil her rotten. 
Michael Katz
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Frew
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:32 AM
Subject: Re: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!
There was a sailing writer in the New Haven Register
his name is Dick Bastian, He is a great writer and a
great person. I met him in 1987 when he was about to
retire. He wanted to join me on my return trip across
the Atlantic. He had never taken a long trip. It was a
great experience. He wrote about the trip. He was a
great writer with out and with the experience. So
please be encouraged and you are welcome on Free
Spirit in Branford .
Regards, Bob Frew
— Dave_Benjamin <dave_benjamin@> wrote:
Michel is correct that one cannot write
authoritatively about
cruising or anything else for that matter without
some degree of
experience. I’m not sure what the writer means by
“critical pieces.”
If the writer intends to offer his work to travel
magazines and
general interest publications he probably doesn’t
intend to write
critically about the “yachts” themselves. I think if
he can find a
ride somewhere and wirte about his experiences
that’s wonderful. To
write about the merits or drawbacks of a specific
vessel would
require experience on many other vessels to draw
realistic
conclusions. I think this whole thing could just be
a bit of a
misunderstanding.
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, george
herchenroether
<g.herk@> wrote:
Mr. Emerson,
I apologize for the remarks of Mr. Capel. You are
welcome on my
boat
anytime.
George Herchenroether
On 6/25/06 8:36 AM, “Willy Emerson”
<wllyemerson@> wrote:
I’ve got to start somewhere.
----- Original Message ----
From: michel.capel <michel.capel@>
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 5:56:48 AM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your
help!
Before you can write ‘critical’ pieces about
yachts and yachting,
you first need to gain years of ocean sailing
experience.
A ‘ride’
on a yacht will bring you little more than
nauseousness.
Certainly
not anything that makes you credible as a writer
about yachts and
yachting. I know I sound a bit rude, but that’s
how the facts
are.
Michel Capel
— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com
mailto:freedomyachts2003%40yahoogroups.com ,
“W L Emerson”
<wllyemerson@ …> wrote:
I am a free-lance writer who is facinated
with yachts. I want
to
write critical pieces, creative pieces and
travel-log pieces
for
yachting magazines. I need to take a ride on
your yacht! I
have
no
money, but I would write about your yacht in
magazine pieces.
Please
contact me at otherpeoplesyachts@ … Thank
you, and happy
yachting!
Posted by Willy Emerson (wllyemerson@…>)
You sound like a great guy. Do you ever sail near Florida?
----- Original Message ----From: Dave_Benjamin <dave_benjamin@…>To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.comSent: Monday, June 26, 2006 2:09:15 PMSubject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!
No worries. My Dutch is a lot worse than your English. For some reason when I lived in Germany for a few years some of the locals thought I spoke German with a Dutch accent. I have no idea why. The only thing I can think of is that growing up I heard a lot of German spoken around the house. Maybe that influenced how I spoke German when I learned it in my early 20’s.Having lived abroad I know full well how easy you can be misunderstood speaking a non-native language. "No I didn’t mean to say your grandmother should chew on a shoe!"Cheers!— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, “michel.capel” <michel.capel@ …> wrote:>> Thanks Dave, for your confidence in my good intentions. And you’re > probably right about the English.> > > > — In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, “Dave_Benjamin” > <dave_benjamin@ > wrote:> >> > I didn’t know Raban wrote a book about a trip round his native > > Britain. His “Passage to Juneau” was bloody fantastic.> > > > I think many people have misinterpreted Michel Capel’s response. > > Keep in mind that Michel is Dutch and probably learned > the “Queen’s > > English” whilst in school, rather than our version of the > language. > > When the gentleman seeking a ride wrote that he planned to > > write “critical pieces” I think Michel’s perception was that the > > author intended to write about something he really didn’t know > > about, for instance a technical review of a boat. > > > > I’ve corresponded with Michel for close to 10 years and he’s
not > an > > elitist or snob. > > > > — In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, “Michael G Katz” > > <mgkatz@> wrote:> > >> > > As an experienced sailor who also aspires to write about it-- > but > > to date has only gotten 18 pages on paper–let me add this: > > > I recently finished reading Jonathan Raban’s Coasting and am > > currently reading Adam Nicolson’s Seamanship. Raban bought a boat > > at age 40 and set out to circumnavigate Great Britain. Nicolson > > didn’t know how to sail when he set out to explore the rugged west > > coast of the British Isles, although he was accompanied by a > friend > > who had sailed. Both books combine sailing, travelogue, and inner > > dialogues on the
nature of life. (Isn’t sailing the perfect > analogy > > for life?) Both books are pretty entertaining, because the > writers > > are good observers, have something to say, and write fairly well. > > Perhaps the fact that they are not too experienced makes the books > > even more entertaining- -I am always fascinated by how far people > > will push themselves in the ocean realm.> > > (And come to think of it, Richard Henry Dana was a young man of > 18 > > and a Harvard drop out when he took off on a ship around Cape Horn > > to the wild coast of California and wrote his classic Two Years > > Before the Mast describing his adventures.)> > > > > > So, Mr. Emerson, best of luck to you in both your sailing and > > writing endeavors. It is a fascinating “sport,” and you will > learn > > a lot very
quickly…and then spend the rest of our life trying to > > learn the rest! I would take you with me on my summer cruise, > but > > then my wife would miss out on having to trim sails and navigate > and > > hold a course and it would simply spoil her rotten. :)> > > Michael Katz> > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: Bob Frew > > > To: freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com > > > Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:32 AM> > > Subject: Re: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!> > > > > > > > > There was a sailing writer in the New Haven Register> > > his name is Dick Bastian, He is a great writer and a> > > great person. I met him in 1987 when he was
about to> > > retire. He wanted to join me on my return trip across> > > the Atlantic. He had never taken a long trip. It was a> > > great experience. He wrote about the trip. He was a> > > great writer with out and with the experience. So> > > please be encouraged and you are welcome on Free> > > Spirit in Branford .> > > > > > Regards, Bob Frew > > > > > > — Dave_Benjamin <dave_benjamin@ > wrote:> > > > > > > Michel is correct that one cannot write> > > > authoritatively about > > > > cruising or anything else for that matter without> > > > some degree of > > > > experience. I’m not sure what the writer means by> > > > “critical pieces.” > > > > If the writer intends to offer his work to travel> > >
magazines and > > > > general interest publications he probably doesn’t> > > > intend to write > > > > critically about the “yachts” themselves. I think if> > > > he can find a > > > > ride somewhere and wirte about his experiences> > > > that’s wonderful. To > > > > write about the merits or drawbacks of a specific> > > > vessel would > > > > require experience on many other vessels to draw> > > > realistic > > > > conclusions. I think this whole thing could just be> > > > a bit of a > > > > misunderstanding. > > > > > > > > — In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, george> > > > herchenroether > > > >
<g.herk@> wrote:> > > > >> > > > > Mr. Emerson,> > > > > > > > > > I apologize for the remarks of Mr. Capel. You are> > > > welcome on my > > > > boat> > > > > anytime.> > > > > > > > > > George Herchenroether> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 6/25/06 8:36 AM, “Willy Emerson”> > > > <wllyemerson@ > wrote:> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I’ve got to start somewhere.> > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----> > > > > > From: michel.capel <michel.capel@ >> > > > > >
To: freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com> > > > > > Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 5:56:48 AM> > > > > > Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your> > > > help!> > > > > > > > > > > > Before you can write ‘critical’ pieces about> > > > yachts and yachting,> > > > > > you first need to gain years of ocean sailing> > > > experience. > > > > A ‘ride’> > > > > > on a yacht will bring you little more than> > > > nauseousness. > > > > Certainly> > > > > > not anything that makes you credible as a writer> > > > about yachts and> > > > > > yachting. I know I sound a bit rude, but that’s> > >
how the facts > > > > are.> > > > > > > > > > > > Michel Capel> > > > > > > > > > > > — In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com> > > > > > <mailto:freedomyach ts2003%40yahoogr oups.com> ,> > > > “W L Emerson”> > > > > > <wllyemerson@ …> wrote:> > > > > >> >> > > > > >> > I am a free-lance writer who is facinated> > > > with yachts. I want > > > > to> > > > > >> > write critical pieces, creative pieces and> > > > travel-log pieces > > > > for> > > > > >> > yachting magazines. I need to take a ride on> > > > your yacht! I > > > > have> > > > > > no > > >
money, but I would write about your yacht in> > > > magazine pieces.> > > > > > Please > > > > > >> > contact me at otherpeoplesyachts@ … Thank> > > > you, and happy> > > > > >> > yachting!> > > > > >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > >> >>
Posted by Dave_Benjamin (dave_benjamin@…>)
Thanks for the kind words. I used to sail extensively in Florida in
the mid 90’s but those days are behind me. I’ve been back on the west
coast since 97 or 98. There are always people looking for crew though
so you shouldn’t have too tough a time finding a ride. Start hanging
out around the marinas and volunteer to crew during the weeknight
races at the local yacht clubs. If you’re close to Tampa DIYC has a
legendary Thursday night series. People are willing to have
inexperienced crew because the races are casual and everyone likes to
see new blood enter the sport.
If you’re a capable cook that skill is frequently in demand on larger
professionally crewed boats so that’s another angle to explore.
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, Willy Emerson
<wllyemerson@…> wrote:
You sound like a great guy. Do you ever sail near Florida?
----- Original Message ----
From: Dave_Benjamin <dave_benjamin@…>
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 2:09:15 PM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!
No worries. My Dutch is a lot worse than your English. For some
reason when I lived in Germany for a few years some of the locals
thought I spoke German with a Dutch accent. I have no idea why. The
only thing I can think of is that growing up I heard a lot of German
spoken around the house. Maybe that influenced how I spoke German
when I learned it in my early 20’s.
Having lived abroad I know full well how easy you can be
misunderstood speaking a non-native language. “No I didn’t mean to
say your grandmother should chew on a shoe!”
Cheers!
— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, “michel.capel”
<michel.capel@ …> wrote:
Thanks Dave, for your confidence in my good intentions. And you’re
probably right about the English.
— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, “Dave_Benjamin”
<dave_benjamin@ > wrote:
I didn’t know Raban wrote a book about a trip round his native
Britain. His “Passage to Juneau” was bloody fantastic.
I think many people have misinterpreted Michel Capel’s response.
Keep in mind that Michel is Dutch and probably learned
the “Queen’s
English” whilst in school, rather than our version of the
language.
When the gentleman seeking a ride wrote that he planned to
write “critical pieces” I think Michel’s perception was that the
author intended to write about something he really didn’t know
about, for instance a technical review of a boat.
I’ve corresponded with Michel for close to 10 years and he’s not
an
elitist or snob.
— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, “Michael G Katz”
<mgkatz@> wrote:
As an experienced sailor who also aspires to write about it–
but
to date has only gotten 18 pages on paper–let me add this:
I recently finished reading Jonathan Raban’s Coasting and am
currently reading Adam Nicolson’s Seamanship. Raban bought a
boat
at age 40 and set out to circumnavigate Great Britain. Nicolson
didn’t know how to sail when he set out to explore the rugged
west
coast of the British Isles, although he was accompanied by a
friend
who had sailed. Both books combine sailing, travelogue, and
inner
dialogues on the nature of life. (Isn’t sailing the perfect
analogy
for life?) Both books are pretty entertaining, because the
writers
are good observers, have something to say, and write fairly
well.
Perhaps the fact that they are not too experienced makes the
books
even more entertaining- -I am always fascinated by how far people
will push themselves in the ocean realm.
(And come to think of it, Richard Henry Dana was a young man
of
18
and a Harvard drop out when he took off on a ship around Cape
Horn
to the wild coast of California and wrote his classic Two Years
Before the Mast describing his adventures.)
So, Mr. Emerson, best of luck to you in both your sailing and
writing endeavors. It is a fascinating “sport,” and you will
learn
a lot very quickly…and then spend the rest of our life trying
to
learn the rest! I would take you with me on my summer cruise,
but
then my wife would miss out on having to trim sails and navigate
and
hold a course and it would simply spoil her rotten.
Michael Katz
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Frew
To: freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:32 AM
Subject: Re: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!
There was a sailing writer in the New Haven Register
his name is Dick Bastian, He is a great writer and a
great person. I met him in 1987 when he was about to
retire. He wanted to join me on my return trip across
the Atlantic. He had never taken a long trip. It was a
great experience. He wrote about the trip. He was a
great writer with out and with the experience. So
please be encouraged and you are welcome on Free
Spirit in Branford .
Regards, Bob Frew
— Dave_Benjamin <dave_benjamin@ > wrote:
Michel is correct that one cannot write
authoritatively about
cruising or anything else for that matter without
some degree of
experience. I’m not sure what the writer means by
“critical pieces.”
If the writer intends to offer his work to travel
magazines and
general interest publications he probably doesn’t
intend to write
critically about the “yachts” themselves. I think if
he can find a
ride somewhere and wirte about his experiences
that’s wonderful. To
write about the merits or drawbacks of a specific
vessel would
require experience on many other vessels to draw
realistic
conclusions. I think this whole thing could just be
a bit of a
misunderstanding.
— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com, george
herchenroether
<g.herk@> wrote:
Mr. Emerson,
I apologize for the remarks of Mr. Capel. You are
welcome on my
boat
anytime.
George Herchenroether
On 6/25/06 8:36 AM, “Willy Emerson”
<wllyemerson@ > wrote:
I’ve got to start somewhere.
----- Original Message ----
From: michel.capel <michel.capel@ >
To: freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 5:56:48 AM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your
help!
Before you can write ‘critical’ pieces about
yachts and yachting,
you first need to gain years of ocean sailing
experience.
A ‘ride’
on a yacht will bring you little more than
nauseousness.
Certainly
not anything that makes you credible as a writer
about yachts and
yachting. I know I sound a bit rude, but that’s
how the facts
are.
Michel Capel
— In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com
<mailto:freedomyach ts2003%40yahoogr oups.com> ,
“W L Emerson”
<wllyemerson@ …> wrote:
I am a free-lance writer who is facinated
with yachts. I want
to
write critical pieces, creative pieces and
travel-log pieces
for
yachting magazines. I need to take a ride on
your yacht! I
have
no
money, but I would write about your yacht in
magazine pieces.
Please
contact me at otherpeoplesyachts@ … Thank
you, and happy
yachting!
Posted by Paul McFadden (pwhitmac@…>)
Don’t feel too bad Michael, you’ve just encountered a fairly common reaction from some folks who feel that expressing one’s opinion is “mean”, or “rude”. Probably the same folks that are the “feel good” advocates of the “can’t we all get along” premise. You really haven’t experienced the full implications of a message board (like this) until you have some individual email you directly (off board, must be a courage issue there) and cuss you out just for having opinions contrary to theirs. It’s amazing to read what conclusions they draw without having ever met you… Anyway Michael, hang in there, as we Yanks say. It’s mostly good. PWM PS, I’m sure this will generate some comments, but then, maybe we’ve grown…P"michel.capel" <michel.capel@…> wrote: Dear all,I am sorry I have triggered so many negative emotions about this subject. I did not mean to hurt anybody’s feelings, and certainly not those of somebody owning a 30’ yacht or trying to get a position as crew on a yacht. My not being a native English speaker may have aggravated things.My appologies, Michel Capel— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, george herchenroether <g.herk@…> wrote:>> Mr. Emerson,> > I apologize for the remarks of Mr. Capel. You are welcome on my boat> anytime.> > George
Herchenroether> > > On 6/25/06 8:36 AM, “Willy Emerson” <wllyemerson@…> wrote:> > > > > > > > > > > I’ve got to start somewhere.> > > > ----- Original Message ----> > From: michel.capel <michel.capel@…>> > To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 5:56:48 AM> > Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: I need your help!> > > > Before you can write ‘critical’ pieces about yachts and yachting,> > you first need to gain years of ocean sailing experience. A ‘ride’> > on a yacht will bring you little more than nauseousness. Certainly> > not anything that makes you credible as a writer about yachts and> > yachting. I know I sound a bit rude, but that’s how the facts
are.> > > > Michel Capel> > > > — In freedomyachts2003@ yahoogroups. com> > mailto:freedomyachts2003%40yahoogroups.com , “W L Emerson”> > <wllyemerson@ …> wrote:> >> >> >> > I am a free-lance writer who is facinated with yachts. I want to> >> > write critical pieces, creative pieces and travel-log pieces for> >> > yachting magazines. I need to take a ride on your yacht! I have> > no > >> > money, but I would write about your yacht in magazine pieces.> > Please > >> > contact me at otherpeoplesyachts@ … Thank you, and happy> >> > yachting!> >> >> > > > > > > >>
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