Sailing rules

[morgandlm]

Having just returned from cruising in the Channel with some relatively new crew I wondered whether there are some sensible adages to share with new crew about how to make a boat work well. I have thought of a few:

1. When underway the skipper is always right even when he is not.
2. When berthing, crew should do more listening than talking
3. You can teach old (sea)dogs new tricks but it's painful.

Any more?

Morgan

 

[AngusMcDoon]

At the end of the trip, the skipper should expect to have to clean the bog. Oops, sorry, wrong fred.

 

[VicS]

Before the start of the season prospective crew should expect to do the antifouling.
(there will only be enough rollers/brushes for them so the skipper wont be able to participate)

 

[Twister_Ken]

It's traditional for the crew to buy the skipper a slap up supper on safe arrival.

 

[Cornishman]

Never put anything down the heads which has not been previously eaten or drunk, apart from loo paper.

 

[Twister_Ken]

A rope has two ends. Don't work on one end, without looking to see what the other end is doing.

 

[Leighb]

That also applies to electric cables!! I found out the hard way. Ouch

 

[MoodySabre]

It is polite to do as I request - it is essential to do as I order

When I say NOW I mean NOW as in immediately.

 

[Cliveshep]

Now that makes a lot of sense, a deck is no place for dissent.

Now go and put the kettle on!

 

[lw395]

It is polite to do as I request - it is essential to do as I order

When I say NOW I mean NOW as in immediately.

I often tell new crew (particularly racing) that if I shout or swear at them when giving instructions it's because it's urgent and crucial, over-riding anything else, nothing personal. E.g 'DUMP THE FFF MAIN' supercedes the instruction to pass the biscuits and shoud be done immediately, biscuits may be resumed after we have avoided the stbd boat. And any bad temper in the excitement of racing (or mooring!) will be laughed about with the opposition in the bar.

 

[WindermereColvic]

Im glad im not the only one who thinks this. I don’t want to come across like i have an attitude problem, but i do have difficulty imparting this to crew sometimes. Racing excluded, i think a good skipper should be able to brief their crew in good time, and forewarn them of what they will be asked to do, but i have been in situations where something in expected has happened and now means NOW!, eg untie that spring, let fly that sheet ect. In these situations i have been (not kidding) met with the response, not until you ask me nicely. Fair enough in normal circumstances, and it shows i think how close friends we are ,on land, that we can talk about this sort of thing, but its not whats needed when things aren’t going to plan on the water. Does anyone else treat 'passengers' and 'crew' differently? Rant over, Matt

 

[andymcp]

I always run through with any visitors on board before we set off whether they are crew or passengers. I don't mind either, as long as I know before we set off. It's a practice that has served my dad well for years, and it helps understand whether it's OK to shout at people to help as required. As others have said, for those who want to take part I try to make it clear that while it will all aim to happen in a polite, controlled way if I do yell it's because it is urgent to do whatever is being yelled about quickly.

Generally it seems to work well.....so far.

 

[MoodySabre]

If we take some friends out for a jolly then if they want to help that's fine - if not then I can do it on my own. If there are others on board for a trip then they are crew. Of course you try to explain things in advance but when you end up sideways in a lock cos the bloke on the stern rope wasn't concentrating (as happened to me) then a pep talk is required. At the end of the day any crew members action or inaction can become a safety issue. Most of the time we just have a laugh and enjoy it but don't most of us like the "doing it right" bit and take pride in a safe and harmonious passage? I do.