1.able to depend on just self for everything
2.able to handle the vessel by themselves, no matter what
3.able to read the weather
4.able to ride out and use the weather properly
5.able to know/repair the boat; if its sailing characteristics/mechanical/electrical/and everything else thats on a boat
6.strong in character
7.big set of balls
8.when push comes to shove; not flip out
9.so its cold, wet,nasty; I'm tired, i'm scared, i'm sick, i'm hungry....BIG SHIT, deal with it
10.you're alone, you were born alone and will die alone.
11.doesn't matter how much money that you have, for it doesn't matter out here.
12.grow up, remember that you signed up for this.
13. all the shit that you have on the boat doesn't make up for common sense
14.deal with it, its going to get better, sooner or later
15.knowing how to sail does matter alittle

by the way, how's the varnish holding up?