When I used to board my horse in Livermore, California, I learned some invaluable lessons from Wendell*, a fellow horse-boarder. Among his many small pearls of wisdom, one was, “When it comes to horses, never offer unsolicited advice.” The adage can be used for many things, including sailing. Everyone has a certain way of doing things, and everyone thinks their way is the best way (otherwise they’d be doing something else). As a know-it-all such as myself, it’s hard to watch someone do something wrong, but unless they’re asking for my opinion or help, I try to keep a tight lip. It’s a challenge to be sure, and I fail more than I succeed. Continue reading →