I'm a landlubber, but occasionally I get the hankering to understand sailing. A while back I ran across a simulator that increased my understanding a lot.

http://home.wxs.nl/~pdavis/

Its free and fits on a floppy. It also works fine on XP. While the graphics are anything but astounding, I finally figured out how to sail almost into the wind with it, which was something that baffled me before.

It was after watching Master & Commander that my interest was sparked, Since then I've read a few of O'Brien's books, but they are tough reads, because he goes into the most excruciating detail for things that have no bearing on the main plot. I wish sometimes I could just fastforward all the Maturin sub-adventures.

A friend of mine just bought a little 1-sail boat for $60 at an auction that he is fixing up to park at his lakeside cabin. He still needs to attach a rudder and lacks any experience. I admire his courage, but wonder if somebody ought to be close by in the motorboat when he first launches it.

Steve G.