Dilemma - advice please

[Colin_S]

Yesterday, I had a phone call, out of the blue, offering me a slot as a crew member for some 'round the cans' racing over the next 4 weekends. This call came about as a result of a notice put up on the board in a local yacht club.

Today I had a run down to meet the skipper and have a look round the boat. This is where my dilemma begins.

After a brief introduction I was invited to indulge in a bottom cleaning exercise to which I duly agreed and joined in with great enthusiasm. Being somewhat of a novice to the boating scene, I wonder if I was taken advantage of or if this is a fairly acceptable practice and could do with a little help and advice. Do you think that.....

a) I should be offended?

b) I should be flattered at being invited to take part in such an intimate event on our first 'date'?

c) I should be disappointed at not having the favour returned?

d) Something else - your advice please.

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[Ohdrat]

I believe that Bottom Cleaning protocol is to use the pressure washer to full advantage and that Anti Fouling should be applied with gusto..

re whether you have been taken advantage of.. this depends whether this is the winning skipper .. if so you have been priveleged to partake in intimate grooming of the Alpha Male... For best effect you should ask Mr Dimbleby to narrate in hushed tones..

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[sailorman]

when i used to race the only time one saw the crew was when boat was afloat. wot no new sails "skip"wheres me beer, wheres me sandwiches, wot sleeping bag.
your one in a million Colin i would sign u -up anytime
(p.s my bottom could do with a scrub if u have time)

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[Peppermint]

Re: It\'s not unusual

to check out willingness by finding a mundane task to do. Where the rest of the crew there? If so a. you've just been interviewed by a skipper who might well be quite good and b. you must have gleaned something from the interaction.

If the boat is drysailed, which all serious racing boats are, bottom polishing is a regular part of the routine. You can measure the skipper/owner by how many crew turn up to do it. In a good crew it should everyone barring the ringer helmsman and the trim boss both of whom are working elsewhere.

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[jimbouy]

As a slight aside to your post I have started to notice that when it comes to sailing, friends will always want to crew for you, true friends will help with the maintainance as well.

In your case who knows

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[Colin_S]

Aw shucks, you got me all embarased.

On the subject of being one in a million, if you knew I drive a white van and often tow a jetski behind it, would that change your opinion?

When I get a spare hour or two, I'll load the Karcher in the van and come and give your bottom a proper seeing to................

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[jimi]

You're being taken for a mug .. tell him to clean his own sodding boat. If you ask peeps round for a BBQ you don't ask 'em to cut the grass first!

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[Colin_S]

Re: It\'s not unusual

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Where the rest of the crew there?

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No, just skipper and his wife. First race is next Sunday and we're meeting up Saturday for a bit of practice.

Drysailed??? Sorry, newbie. What does that mean?

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[Colin_S]

Oi Wolfgang, who asked you???

PS Got a crew space for Cherbourg next year - I don't cook, wash-up, stow fenders, helm, make beds, flush the loo,................. but I'll have a go at your bottom!

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[Jeremy_W]

Re: It\'s not unusual

>>> Drysailed??? Sorry, newbie. What does that mean?

If a yacht is drysailed it is hoisted out of the water into a cradle/ trailer after each sail so that no weed can grow. I don't think you've been had. From your profile the only thing you're bringing to the party is enthusiasm and by turning up for a mundane task you've shown that you possess enthusiasm.

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[Peppermint]

Re: Don\'t you?

Crikey I do.

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[Colin_S]

Re: It\'s not unusual

Thanks, that's what I guessed. This one must be a watsailed boat. Could have done with some BBQ guests with lawnmowers! Fortunately water at 2500psi seemed to do the trick.

I don't yet know how aggresively he races but the yacht had a couple of 'battle scars'. Full report will follow after Sunday.

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