So you're out for a day sail and a while back you turned the helm over to your crew (read: spouse or significant other). While there is no significant problem facing you, the sails are not quite properly trimmed for the current wind conditions and point of sail. As skipper you normally: 1. Keep your mouth shut and forgo this "crew development opportunity"; 2. suggest a change and explain why; or 3. just go ahead and make the appropriate adjustments yourself. What is your crew's usual reaction to this? Gary Wyngarden s/v Shibumi H335
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Depends on the crew member
This post sounds like a product of a rather "spirited discussion" with your crew, Gary... ;o) I think that it's important to know what kind of sailor you are before you answer this question. When there's no imminent danger or serious navigational error, I'm a "set and forget" type of sailor- I don't like to make a lot of little adjustments along the way in order to get absolute maximum efficiency. I'd rather sip my margarita and relax, and I'll get there eventually... My wife, on the other hand, is an up-and-coming racer-She wants to squeeze every bit of forward motion out of the sails that she can, all the time. If it's my spouse at the helm (who is VERY interested in learning to sail better), I'll suggest a change and explain why (although she is getting to be a better sail trimmer than I am!). She will usually try to discuss the physics, math, logic, and textbook reasons behind why she's got it the way she does, but sometimes she forgets to watch the big picture. She doesn't react well to me making adjustments when she's at the helm (unless I am assigned to do so), but neither one of us learns anything if I just keep my yap shut. (There have also been times when she's right...) If it's a sailing-knowledgable friend, I'll usually just keep my mouth shut, except maybe "come port/starboard a bit..." This generally doesn't hurt anyone's feelings, and is quite effective. If it's someone who isn't really interested in learning how to sail, I'll usually just make the adjustment myself. If they ask why, I try to explain it in simple terms, and this seems to keep them satisfied- They're usually still in wonder about the way the boat moves, and slightly overwhelmed by all the things that need to be kept track of- and amazed that any one person (read:you) can do it at all. Good luck with crew relations, --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
This post sounds like a product of a rather "spirited discussion" with your crew, Gary... ;o) I think that it's important to know what kind of sailor you are before you answer this question. When there's no imminent danger or serious navigational error, I'm a "set and forget" type of sailor- I don't like to make a lot of little adjustments along the way in order to get absolute maximum efficiency. I'd rather sip my margarita and relax, and I'll get there eventually... My wife, on the other hand, is an up-and-coming racer-She wants to squeeze every bit of forward motion out of the sails that she can, all the time. If it's my spouse at the helm (who is VERY interested in learning to sail better), I'll suggest a change and explain why (although she is getting to be a better sail trimmer than I am!). She will usually try to discuss the physics, math, logic, and textbook reasons behind why she's got it the way she does, but sometimes she forgets to watch the big picture. She doesn't react well to me making adjustments when she's at the helm (unless I am assigned to do so), but neither one of us learns anything if I just keep my yap shut. (There have also been times when she's right...) If it's a sailing-knowledgable friend, I'll usually just keep my mouth shut, except maybe "come port/starboard a bit..." This generally doesn't hurt anyone's feelings, and is quite effective. If it's someone who isn't really interested in learning how to sail, I'll usually just make the adjustment myself. If they ask why, I try to explain it in simple terms, and this seems to keep them satisfied- They're usually still in wonder about the way the boat moves, and slightly overwhelmed by all the things that need to be kept track of- and amazed that any one person (read:you) can do it at all. Good luck with crew relations, --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
Sail change
Make the sail change and explain why....Its your boat, and people want to know how you sail it. Is the captain suppose to sit there, knowing its trimmed incorrectly and be afraid of hurting feelings??? Sailing is about learning and no one has cornered the market on all the sailing smarts. It would not hurt my feelings if I were part of the crew.
Make the sail change and explain why....Its your boat, and people want to know how you sail it. Is the captain suppose to sit there, knowing its trimmed incorrectly and be afraid of hurting feelings??? Sailing is about learning and no one has cornered the market on all the sailing smarts. It would not hurt my feelings if I were part of the crew.
chill out and lose the type "A" personality
learn to enjoy or go racing with your pals and leave the s/o on the dock!
learn to enjoy or go racing with your pals and leave the s/o on the dock!
I've been married a fairly long time now.....
When not at the wheel/tiller, I'm crew. It's the crews job to keep the trim to the capt's course. On Kristen's boat, the main sheet's behind the wheel and the Capt's responsibility by agreement. On my boat all the controls are forward of the tiller and accessable by the crew. It is the JOB of the capt to keep the crew informed at all times of needed trim corrections, course changes etc. That, I think, is the way the game is played. It's not politics, it's sailing.
When not at the wheel/tiller, I'm crew. It's the crews job to keep the trim to the capt's course. On Kristen's boat, the main sheet's behind the wheel and the Capt's responsibility by agreement. On my boat all the controls are forward of the tiller and accessable by the crew. It is the JOB of the capt to keep the crew informed at all times of needed trim corrections, course changes etc. That, I think, is the way the game is played. It's not politics, it's sailing.
Wind in the San Juans
One of the reasons for not cruising in the San Juans is that sailing can be a lot of work - the wind is constantly changing in both speed and direction. Add to this the fairly strong currents, usual quantity of traffic (a lot less this time of year - we already have our sails off for the season), and near surface underwater obstructions and it can get exciting. In racing if the helms-person is steering a course it is up to the crew to trim the sails accordingly. In cruising it's what the skipper wants or, if the skipper is team oriented, what the team decides the procedures are. On our boat when the admiral is at the helm the captain does the sail trim. Depending on the situation the adjustments will be with some discussion such as looking ahead to discuss if a tack or jibe will be required. Sometimes the captain is down below laid out on the settee trying to catch some rest but then he often gets emergency calls to come topside to make a decision on who has the righ-of-way or make a sail adjustment. In spite of what some might think, not everybody is created equally. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We may not be the most perfectly trimmed boat on the water but, like Greg, we've been married quite a few years. By the way, although my admiral doesn't like to race, one of the rare times she did, she was at the helm and received congratulations from the SO on a Hinkly 59 that she beat boat-for-boat (ours is a 35) in a local club race. She felt really good after that!
One of the reasons for not cruising in the San Juans is that sailing can be a lot of work - the wind is constantly changing in both speed and direction. Add to this the fairly strong currents, usual quantity of traffic (a lot less this time of year - we already have our sails off for the season), and near surface underwater obstructions and it can get exciting. In racing if the helms-person is steering a course it is up to the crew to trim the sails accordingly. In cruising it's what the skipper wants or, if the skipper is team oriented, what the team decides the procedures are. On our boat when the admiral is at the helm the captain does the sail trim. Depending on the situation the adjustments will be with some discussion such as looking ahead to discuss if a tack or jibe will be required. Sometimes the captain is down below laid out on the settee trying to catch some rest but then he often gets emergency calls to come topside to make a decision on who has the righ-of-way or make a sail adjustment. In spite of what some might think, not everybody is created equally. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. We may not be the most perfectly trimmed boat on the water but, like Greg, we've been married quite a few years. By the way, although my admiral doesn't like to race, one of the rare times she did, she was at the helm and received congratulations from the SO on a Hinkly 59 that she beat boat-for-boat (ours is a 35) in a local club race. She felt really good after that!
Speaking as an SO
When he is at the helm, he requests ajustments and I make them until he's satisfied. When I am at the wheel, he tweaks until he's satisified, then 5 minutes later tweaks again. He's trying to get the most effective sail area, I'm relaxing, but that's OK, we all have our little quirks. Sailing is fun, not work, at least on our boat! Fair Winds Pat & Faye Martin S/V Sonnen Jäger
When he is at the helm, he requests ajustments and I make them until he's satisfied. When I am at the wheel, he tweaks until he's satisified, then 5 minutes later tweaks again. He's trying to get the most effective sail area, I'm relaxing, but that's OK, we all have our little quirks. Sailing is fun, not work, at least on our boat! Fair Winds Pat & Faye Martin S/V Sonnen Jäger
Who me?
My SO (who is a fine sailor in her own right) and others on the boat have come to realize that sail trim and course control are important (as ski or hip control is in snow skiing). They kid me alot about my continous trimming and course updates but all love to sail past other boats. It's all in fun even when racing. Bob
My SO (who is a fine sailor in her own right) and others on the boat have come to realize that sail trim and course control are important (as ski or hip control is in snow skiing). They kid me alot about my continous trimming and course updates but all love to sail past other boats. It's all in fun even when racing. Bob
Ask the crew
You have kindly asked us what to do. It may be a good idea to casually ask the crew how they (she) expects to sail. It might be well to ask that question when you are not in that situation. Trying to keep my wife sailing too. r.w.landau
You have kindly asked us what to do. It may be a good idea to casually ask the crew how they (she) expects to sail. It might be well to ask that question when you are not in that situation. Trying to keep my wife sailing too. r.w.landau
Find out why your SO is sailing first
I actually have similar discussions, but it is the crew/commodore wanting in depth discussions with me, the captain (at the wheel) about proper action for the situation. The real problems stem from my SO wanting a 5 minute discussion with only 30 seconds to "impact". Needless to say, we've emberrassed ourselves several times coming in to port expurlatives flying. Think I'm going to let the SO take the boat in & I'll be the crew next time...
I actually have similar discussions, but it is the crew/commodore wanting in depth discussions with me, the captain (at the wheel) about proper action for the situation. The real problems stem from my SO wanting a 5 minute discussion with only 30 seconds to "impact". Needless to say, we've emberrassed ourselves several times coming in to port expurlatives flying. Think I'm going to let the SO take the boat in & I'll be the crew next time...
Easy does it
When I have inexperienced crew aboard, I usually just relax & try not to correct things too much. It makes them nervous and think they're doing something "wrong." I'll trim the sails and if they ask, explain why. Usually they don't ask. Now if Rob's the captain, he'll tell me how he wants things trimmed up. I usually do just fine without his telling me but sometimes I have to be jolted out of a reverie. We have a pretty good groove going and can read each other pretty well. LaDonna
When I have inexperienced crew aboard, I usually just relax & try not to correct things too much. It makes them nervous and think they're doing something "wrong." I'll trim the sails and if they ask, explain why. Usually they don't ask. Now if Rob's the captain, he'll tell me how he wants things trimmed up. I usually do just fine without his telling me but sometimes I have to be jolted out of a reverie. We have a pretty good groove going and can read each other pretty well. LaDonna
Partnership
She generally is at the helm and I (with my muscles ??) on the sails, so your question becomes mute with us. Her amusement is watching me, when I am at the helm always using the autopilot (not her) when the sails need trimming. <grin>. Sometimes you can entertain a spouse with the darnest things.
She generally is at the helm and I (with my muscles ??) on the sails, so your question becomes mute with us. Her amusement is watching me, when I am at the helm always using the autopilot (not her) when the sails need trimming. <grin>. Sometimes you can entertain a spouse with the darnest things.
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