The 23.5 had the cockpit seats that wrap around. What the best way for crew to get across. Crawl across the seat, stand up and walk across? Go behind it and risk tripping up on it?
Crew crossing on a H23.5
- Thread starter MikeyJ
- Start date
Stand up and walk around might be the worst. I would spincter when crew members would stand on the cockpit seats. They are ripe for a serious injury from the boom or to become MOB's. On boats which the boom doesn't clear head height I'll want my crew to keep their butts on fiberglass. So, I guess crawl across. I looked on SBD.com but couldn't get a sense of the cockpit layout. My question is why aren't they crawling across the cabin top from their position on one rail to the other rail? Or walking around the mast? They are guests? Well, it's a dynamic sport.
Ok, I get it. Sorry. I guess I never even thought about it before. Its sort of a non-issue. If you are talking about going into the cabin from the cockpit, I just step up and over to the step. Or just step straight to the stairs. Certainly no need to crawl. Do it a few times and you will wonder why you ever thought about it.
Actually I'm talking about my crew working the jib sheets. Not liking the 23.5 for this. If they go behind they end up grabbing the mainsheet for balance, stepping over the part I have in hand, and than look for the jib sheet. Getting you feet up on the seat and slide across is a pain for my 65 year old crew.
Ok, I see what you are asking. When I tack, I cross behind the main sheet, never up on the seat. I also have seat cushions which are a big help because I think I usually put one knee up on the seat for the side that is being worked (those seats are hard on bare knees). Once the jib passes the mast, if the wind is strong I may need to cross behind the main sheet and bring the working sheet in. Otherwise, I just reach over to the new working sheet and tie it down. I always have the sheets laid out and ready when I prep for tacking, so there is no looking around for them in the heat of the moment. If the wind is light, I will simply sit in the companionway and work the jib sheets sitting down. Its not hard, but then again, its all I know. First sail boat.
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So I guess it depends on how many crew are crossing. If you have one jib trimmer (Or guest) he/she crosses aft of the main sheet. If you have two crew in the cockpit both can cross aft of the mainsheet one after another. First one takes a position forward most in the cockpit. #2 sits just aft of #1. Or as an alternative one can stay on the new lee side and become the jib trimmer, high side tails. Three crew in the cockpit is probably too many, but you can have two cross if you need the boat trim on the high side and have one stay to trim. Four and up is for harbor cruises. I've sailed a lot on a 23' Seafarer with the traveler at the companionway and it takes a bit of choreography. I'm sorta' big so I prefer to cross in front of the mast and helping the jib across on the way and avoid the cockpit unless I'm trimming. It's not just about boat trim windward/leeward. It's also about boat trim fore and aft. The boat sails best on its lines. Excessive drag from being overladen in the cockpit will make the boat sluggish and less fun to sail.