Mini-sailing in the Pacific, et al

Anyone who has lived on a small Pacific island must have had contact with boats, whether as a user or as a watcher. Sailing a small dinghy in a race with sailing craft of all sizes, up to four-crew catamaran, can be daunting. Given that the weather is fair (including a stiff breeze), the experience can only be described as exhilarating. Should you be a relative novice sailor, some aspects to be aware of are sail set, boom swing, course direction, bailing needs, proximity of other craft (both in the event and out), sudden weather changes, under-surface coral and rocks. Recreational sailors in that setting vary from those hell-bent on winning every time to those who just want to enjoy the sailing activity - the excitement and the company (before launch, during race, and later socialising). Watching boat use can also be an absorbing past-time. Scale has a bit to do with it; watching freighters or cruise ships enter or leave harbour can be quite awesome, particularly when tugs are employed in helping manoeuvre a ship into a channel and into, or out of, a berth. Watching ferries of all sizes operate can be fascinating; another day for that story!