watch keeping

[RSL1298]

Are there any suggestions or recommendations for a watch keeping system for 4 adults over a 24/36 hour period under sail.

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[AndrewB]

With four people, on a passage where the main priority is steering and lookout, and there will not be too much by way of sail changes etc, I usually set up a rotating watch system, changing every 2 hours. So start with A on watch, B on standby, C and D off. After 2 hours A goes off, B comes on, C becomes standby, D remains off: then 2 hours shift round again. The on-watch person will steer and keep look-out, the standby will help with sail trimming, check navigation, and do the housekeeping, but can rest much of the time. This system works well if A and C are reasonably experienced, B and D less so, as there is always someone to support B and D. And you get to chat two other people during your watch period.

In bad weather it may be necessary to reduce this to 1 hour. With a 36 hour passage, the short off-watch periods won't really be an issue, as no-one will sleep anyway. But for a longer passage my preference is to shorten sail or even heave-to so that a 2 hour stint is still manageable, and accept the loss of speed, rather than reduce the rest period.

If only one person is really experienced or able to do the navigation, it may be better to base watch-keeping on the other three (2 hours each) with the skipper resting but available on call at all times.

 

[LadyInBed]

This is one I use for 3 adults. It should give you some ideas for 4.
<pre>
A Watch B Watch C Watch
Day 1 00:00 02:40 02:30 05:10 05:00 07:40
4 07:30 10:10 10:00 12:40 12:30 14:10
7 14:00 16:40 16:30 19:10 19:00 21:40
10 21:30 00:10 2Hr 40 On 4Hr 50 Off
Day 2 00:00 02:40 02:30 05:10
5 05:00 07:40 07:30 10:10 10:00 12:40
8 12:30 14:10 14:00 16:40 16:30 19:10
11 19:00 21:40 21:30 00:10
Day 3 2Hr 40 On 4Hr 50 Off 00:00 02:40
6 02:30 05:10 05:00 07:40 07:30 10:10
9 10:00 12:40 12:30 14:10 14:00 16:40
12 16:30 19:10 19:00 21:40 21:30 00:10
</pre>



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[tome]

Far too complex for me or my crew, we always change watches on the hour.

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[ccscott49]

I like your system, can also be adapted for a long passage with six, easy and everybody gets to socialise aswell. i will remember this one.

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[chas]

I prefer to keep it simple - if 4 people, two watches 4hrs on and 4 off. One on the wheel and, if quiet, the other can snooze but is immediately available.

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[LadyInBed]

It might appear to be, but it isn't, and you aren't stuck with the same watch every day.

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[Spacewaist]

This works well if the skipper (crew No 4) is permanently on call in addition and the three watches can each be trusted to steer and keep a good look out. Crew get 2.5 hours on and 5 off.

If this is just for three people inc skipper then skipper going to be very tired after 36+ hours or more. If it was me with skipper plus two, then Id have skipper on permanent call and the other two doing 3 hours on and off at night and four hours on and off during the day so the night watches rotate.

(rotating the watch periods is a must)





<hr width=100% size=1>A pontification from the Panjandrum of orotund bloviation AD2003