awol
Well-Known Member
"Master and Commander" on the box caused me to muse on the concept of retaining the hearts and minds of a crew. Jack Aubrey had the advantages of the "King's Regulations" and capital punishment and didn't receive short notice emails and texts from Bonden or Maturin apologising for their unavailability for that day's foray against the French.
Trying to raise and maintain a crew for Sunday racing is getting me down. Last Sunday I sailed with 4 relative novices on board in the morning in about 30kts of gusty wind and 7 up in the pm race (up to 35kts+), the extras gleaned from boats that broke things in the morning + one of my regular crew, who turned up for the pm race, the rest of them having cried off with a variety of excuses ranging from family duties to being in Hong Kong on business. Thus when it came to the run and hoisting the spinnaker, discretion ruled and even goosewinging the genoa, putting in and shaking out reefs etc. were fraught with frustration. Wednesday night racing during the summer did not have these problems - I sometimes had to turn people away and we were slick enough that e.g. I could approach the close-to-the-shore, low-tide, downwind marks with total confidence that the spinnaker would come down in time.
When I crewed, I felt a committment to the boat, possibly in gratitude for the opportunity to sail. Now, it feels as if the crew are doing me the favour - though I note that when they actually pay for courses, they turn up hell or high water, and moan if it is cancelled.
It doesn't appear to be just me, though I may not always be sweetness and light, as other skippers have the same difficulties. Any ideas on how to get them to commit?
Trying to raise and maintain a crew for Sunday racing is getting me down. Last Sunday I sailed with 4 relative novices on board in the morning in about 30kts of gusty wind and 7 up in the pm race (up to 35kts+), the extras gleaned from boats that broke things in the morning + one of my regular crew, who turned up for the pm race, the rest of them having cried off with a variety of excuses ranging from family duties to being in Hong Kong on business. Thus when it came to the run and hoisting the spinnaker, discretion ruled and even goosewinging the genoa, putting in and shaking out reefs etc. were fraught with frustration. Wednesday night racing during the summer did not have these problems - I sometimes had to turn people away and we were slick enough that e.g. I could approach the close-to-the-shore, low-tide, downwind marks with total confidence that the spinnaker would come down in time.
When I crewed, I felt a committment to the boat, possibly in gratitude for the opportunity to sail. Now, it feels as if the crew are doing me the favour - though I note that when they actually pay for courses, they turn up hell or high water, and moan if it is cancelled.
It doesn't appear to be just me, though I may not always be sweetness and light, as other skippers have the same difficulties. Any ideas on how to get them to commit?
