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Learning by A"crew"al method
Got my basic training from crewing on a friend's boat; now picking up advanced training by sailing with others with more experience. It takes both; your own experiences and the benefit of watching others in action.
Got my basic training from crewing on a friend's boat; now picking up advanced training by sailing with others with more experience. It takes both; your own experiences and the benefit of watching others in action.
the ultimate boat slut
I was demoted from Cruising Fleet Captain to Beer Can Fleet Captain last year at Sequoia Yacht Club, and decided to get revenge by crewing on a different boat every race. What a trip! I must have crewed on twenty diffent boats last year, eight of which took second place WITHOUT A SINGLE BOAT I WAS ON WINNING. Hmmmm. I figure if I keep this up for another season they'll make me captain of the power fleet. What amazed me most about the experience was the divergence of ways for skippers to call a tack. The days when everyone said "Ready about" followed by "Helm's alee" are long gone, and the ensuing chaos on modern boats seems well deserved. It's small wonder there are so many screamers out there these days; we've all forgotten how to talk.
I was demoted from Cruising Fleet Captain to Beer Can Fleet Captain last year at Sequoia Yacht Club, and decided to get revenge by crewing on a different boat every race. What a trip! I must have crewed on twenty diffent boats last year, eight of which took second place WITHOUT A SINGLE BOAT I WAS ON WINNING. Hmmmm. I figure if I keep this up for another season they'll make me captain of the power fleet. What amazed me most about the experience was the divergence of ways for skippers to call a tack. The days when everyone said "Ready about" followed by "Helm's alee" are long gone, and the ensuing chaos on modern boats seems well deserved. It's small wonder there are so many screamers out there these days; we've all forgotten how to talk.
This is a Horror Story.
This is a sad story for Fred Scott of a Macgregor 26X called LADY Vi. I woke up this morning and decided the time has come to quit sailing. So with regret I am putting my boat up for sale and I will miss her as she has been a great boat for me. But I guess we all have to tell ourselves sometime, as we go a long when it's time to quit. One good thing I still have hours of my vidio sailing adventures. Fred Scott "LADY VI" in still waters.
This is a sad story for Fred Scott of a Macgregor 26X called LADY Vi. I woke up this morning and decided the time has come to quit sailing. So with regret I am putting my boat up for sale and I will miss her as she has been a great boat for me. But I guess we all have to tell ourselves sometime, as we go a long when it's time to quit. One good thing I still have hours of my vidio sailing adventures. Fred Scott "LADY VI" in still waters.
Leaning Experience
When crewing for another skipper I found that he went out of his way to make the crew comfortable. He provides lunch and/or drinks and takes time to socialize with the crew before and after the race or cruise. He was careful not to blame the crew when things didn't go as planned and was more inclined to blame the skipper for not instructing or helping the crew if there was a mishap. Crews are very important to us skippers, and we should make sure the ride is a comfortable and enjoyable as possible if we want them back. so, 1) do not lash the crew to the mast and give them 20 lashes for indescressions. 2) Remember that Keel-hauling is a thing of the past. 3) avoid terms like "Heave to you bloody scum! and above all 4) It is no longer legal to chain them to thier posts so they can't jump ship while in port.
When crewing for another skipper I found that he went out of his way to make the crew comfortable. He provides lunch and/or drinks and takes time to socialize with the crew before and after the race or cruise. He was careful not to blame the crew when things didn't go as planned and was more inclined to blame the skipper for not instructing or helping the crew if there was a mishap. Crews are very important to us skippers, and we should make sure the ride is a comfortable and enjoyable as possible if we want them back. so, 1) do not lash the crew to the mast and give them 20 lashes for indescressions. 2) Remember that Keel-hauling is a thing of the past. 3) avoid terms like "Heave to you bloody scum! and above all 4) It is no longer legal to chain them to thier posts so they can't jump ship while in port.
laying back
I watch what people do on their boat to see if there is anything good I can pick up. When it comes down to it it's their boat though, so I just relax and enjoy the ride.
I watch what people do on their boat to see if there is anything good I can pick up. When it comes down to it it's their boat though, so I just relax and enjoy the ride.
I enjoy being crew
When I'm on someone else's boat, I just sit back & do as I'm told. That is, unless they ask for my input or guidance which isn't often! When I'm crew, I don't have to worry about as much - always a welcome change. LaDonna
When I'm on someone else's boat, I just sit back & do as I'm told. That is, unless they ask for my input or guidance which isn't often! When I'm crew, I don't have to worry about as much - always a welcome change. LaDonna
Not Me!!!!
I tend to like to sail and therefore do not offer to crew for anyone!!!!! But yes, I could sit back and enjoy the sail!!!
I tend to like to sail and therefore do not offer to crew for anyone!!!!! But yes, I could sit back and enjoy the sail!!!
It was his boat....
I have a good sailing friend with an O'Day 272 that I would go out with about 2 or 3 times a year. It was and is a change of pace. He is the kind of guy that says" you have it, I am here for the ride." He would be happy letting you enjoy his boat. On one of our outings we had a third man on board. I had the helm and was semi close to the flying scott race that was going on. We were running with the wind just off the starboard about 170 degrees aft. A boat crossed our path,well out of the sailing course. I made a minor direction change to give alittle more room. The boat was still 300 feet away. Well the flying scott had not even seen us and came back at our starboard side while he was making sheet adjustments. I yelled at him and we turned to port. We jibbed in an instant and we watched his keel as he turned to his port (our starboard) to miss us. The third guy on our boat asked me if I was nervious. I said "no, I just did what had to be done." Then I added, " heck, it's not my boat it's Marks." I was good excitement and no boats were broke. waiting out the freeze r.w.landau
I have a good sailing friend with an O'Day 272 that I would go out with about 2 or 3 times a year. It was and is a change of pace. He is the kind of guy that says" you have it, I am here for the ride." He would be happy letting you enjoy his boat. On one of our outings we had a third man on board. I had the helm and was semi close to the flying scott race that was going on. We were running with the wind just off the starboard about 170 degrees aft. A boat crossed our path,well out of the sailing course. I made a minor direction change to give alittle more room. The boat was still 300 feet away. Well the flying scott had not even seen us and came back at our starboard side while he was making sheet adjustments. I yelled at him and we turned to port. We jibbed in an instant and we watched his keel as he turned to his port (our starboard) to miss us. The third guy on our boat asked me if I was nervious. I said "no, I just did what had to be done." Then I added, " heck, it's not my boat it's Marks." I was good excitement and no boats were broke. waiting out the freeze r.w.landau
Astair and Rogers
In recent years, I'd had the pleasure of sailing with a friend whose style and preferances were much like my own. We made a good sailing team; anticipated each other well, split helm duties equally (except when lightening flashed, he got the wheel!), collaborated well on major decisions, and had complimentary skills. His strength was getting maximum speed out of his boat and mine was navigating; he was always open to my ideas and questions/proposals, and I took his final decison as his to make. We'd had a standing invitation to use the other's boat if/when needed. Sailing buddies like that are hard to come by.
In recent years, I'd had the pleasure of sailing with a friend whose style and preferances were much like my own. We made a good sailing team; anticipated each other well, split helm duties equally (except when lightening flashed, he got the wheel!), collaborated well on major decisions, and had complimentary skills. His strength was getting maximum speed out of his boat and mine was navigating; he was always open to my ideas and questions/proposals, and I took his final decison as his to make. We'd had a standing invitation to use the other's boat if/when needed. Sailing buddies like that are hard to come by.
The Girls
The first time that I crewed on someone else's boat, it was on the 3-month-old Catalina 28 of a woman I didn't know well at the time. We were going on a 9-day cruise from Phila., PA to the Upper Chesapeake bay. She told me that she wasn't a great sailor, and I had had my Catalina 22 for about six months, and had a little sailing experience-but not much. We are both very independent, exhuberant, and outspoken women, and there were bets around our yacht club that she and I would be fighting, and that I would be calling home to be picked up in one of the places we were visiting. We caused a lot of lost bets that week, because not only did I call home only to send love to my kids, we came back to our yacht club hugging each other and promising to do it again sometime. I had a little sailing experience, and she could read a chart, so we had it made. She allowed me to sail her brand-new Catalina with its rails in the water. She fed me very well, and just generally treated me like an honored guest. I did things her way, unless she asked for suggestions. I think that when you are crewing someone else's boat, you just have to use your best manners, and remember that except for safety concerns, this boat is NOT yours, and for better or worse, SHE is the captain. Since then I've crewed for others, and keeping that in mind, have always had a good time, leaving the responsibility to the Captain, and just enjoying the ride.
The first time that I crewed on someone else's boat, it was on the 3-month-old Catalina 28 of a woman I didn't know well at the time. We were going on a 9-day cruise from Phila., PA to the Upper Chesapeake bay. She told me that she wasn't a great sailor, and I had had my Catalina 22 for about six months, and had a little sailing experience-but not much. We are both very independent, exhuberant, and outspoken women, and there were bets around our yacht club that she and I would be fighting, and that I would be calling home to be picked up in one of the places we were visiting. We caused a lot of lost bets that week, because not only did I call home only to send love to my kids, we came back to our yacht club hugging each other and promising to do it again sometime. I had a little sailing experience, and she could read a chart, so we had it made. She allowed me to sail her brand-new Catalina with its rails in the water. She fed me very well, and just generally treated me like an honored guest. I did things her way, unless she asked for suggestions. I think that when you are crewing someone else's boat, you just have to use your best manners, and remember that except for safety concerns, this boat is NOT yours, and for better or worse, SHE is the captain. Since then I've crewed for others, and keeping that in mind, have always had a good time, leaving the responsibility to the Captain, and just enjoying the ride.
Crewing
The answer is, yes I will crew on other's boats. The longer the voyage, the more selective I am. I have a friend on the panhandle and we regularly crew for each other and developed the tradition that the captain supplies the food and beverages and the XO/crew supplies the cognac and cigars for after dinner. Just remember, the floggings will continue until morale improves. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
The answer is, yes I will crew on other's boats. The longer the voyage, the more selective I am. I have a friend on the panhandle and we regularly crew for each other and developed the tradition that the captain supplies the food and beverages and the XO/crew supplies the cognac and cigars for after dinner. Just remember, the floggings will continue until morale improves. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Capt. as Crew
I have found that when I have crew aboard the first thing I like to do once we are safely underway and sailing in open water is give up the helm. I have found that when I am a guest on someone elses boat they often like to do the same and I end up driving. Messing with sail trim and navigation are more fun when you don't have to concentrate on pointing the boat. When I steer someone elses boat I get a kick out of watching them have fun trimming sails and relaxing.
I have found that when I have crew aboard the first thing I like to do once we are safely underway and sailing in open water is give up the helm. I have found that when I am a guest on someone elses boat they often like to do the same and I end up driving. Messing with sail trim and navigation are more fun when you don't have to concentrate on pointing the boat. When I steer someone elses boat I get a kick out of watching them have fun trimming sails and relaxing.
Like ROB
Same as Rob! I have been myself so many times a crewmenber on a boat when the capt would never let anyone take the helm ! Now that I have a 41 ft Whenever I have a guest or a crew on board I drive the boat out the slip and then immediately gives the helm to the crew As a captain I coordinate the actions and gives the orders but it is such a pleasure for the crew to steer and learn ! I also found out that its is the best way to have a crew well trained and reliable when we go on a 2 to 3 days sailing trip I know there capacities as I have been their teacher and I sleep like a baby during our night cruises !
Same as Rob! I have been myself so many times a crewmenber on a boat when the capt would never let anyone take the helm ! Now that I have a 41 ft Whenever I have a guest or a crew on board I drive the boat out the slip and then immediately gives the helm to the crew As a captain I coordinate the actions and gives the orders but it is such a pleasure for the crew to steer and learn ! I also found out that its is the best way to have a crew well trained and reliable when we go on a 2 to 3 days sailing trip I know there capacities as I have been their teacher and I sleep like a baby during our night cruises !
You owe it to yourself
Seveal good response to this question. You owe it to yourself to sail with better sailors as crew to see how they skipper and to remember or find out for the first time what it's like on the other end of those commands. I never looked at it as a time to relax necessarily, but a chance to learn. I also like to give my crew a chance at the hel m whenever I can, especially before or after a race....it's the payoff for the hard work. Take your crew daysailing some time and be their crew. Talk your club into a race with the crew as skippers
Seveal good response to this question. You owe it to yourself to sail with better sailors as crew to see how they skipper and to remember or find out for the first time what it's like on the other end of those commands. I never looked at it as a time to relax necessarily, but a chance to learn. I also like to give my crew a chance at the hel m whenever I can, especially before or after a race....it's the payoff for the hard work. Take your crew daysailing some time and be their crew. Talk your club into a race with the crew as skippers
most hit the mark
Most hit he mark. I am expected to make decisions as a captain on all the boats I have been on, under the orders of the real captain. Make sense? What I mean is the Steve factor. He is the equivalent to the village idiot and can tangle the biggest knot of mine aound a winch you ever did see. So the captain is perfectly comfortable and relaxed if I am with Steve (you just know he HAS to help, two starboard hands and all) doing what we have to. ANd if anyone wants to go below for anything, they know the boat will be in god hands with me at the helm.
Most hit he mark. I am expected to make decisions as a captain on all the boats I have been on, under the orders of the real captain. Make sense? What I mean is the Steve factor. He is the equivalent to the village idiot and can tangle the biggest knot of mine aound a winch you ever did see. So the captain is perfectly comfortable and relaxed if I am with Steve (you just know he HAS to help, two starboard hands and all) doing what we have to. ANd if anyone wants to go below for anything, they know the boat will be in god hands with me at the helm.
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