What makes a really good or really bad skipper?

Nostrodamus

Nostrodamus

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Is there such a thing as being born a natural sailor or is it something you can learn?
There are people I have sailed with who will never make a good sailor no matter what, usually because of communication skills or a lack of them.
So what makes a really good skipper and what makes a really bad skipper?
 
Different things for different people. I don't like a skipper who gets flustered or stressed. I don't think it helps. Communication is important and leading from the front with a sense of calm. I also don't like a skipper who is overly precious about their boat. If my boat gets a ding, so be it, it is not worth losing sleep over. I am normally skipper and probably my biggest flaw is doing too much of it myself and not delegating. However, I never raise my voice unless required by background noise and there is little that would stress me out visibly. The best skippers I have been with have made the crew feel part of the team and involved them in decisions.
 
pmagowan said:
Different things for different people. I don't like a skipper who gets flustered or stressed. I don't think it helps. Communication is important and leading from the front with a sense of calm. I also don't like a skipper who is overly precious about their boat. If my boat gets a ding, so be it, it is not worth losing sleep over. I am normally skipper and probably my biggest flaw is doing too much of it myself and not delegating. However, I never raise my voice unless required by background noise and there is little that would stress me out visibly. The best skippers I have been with have made the crew feel part of the team and involved them in decisions.
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Totally agree with you pmagowan and I know my biggest downfall is not being able to delegate like I should. If it is quicker and easier for me to do something I tend to get on and just do it. The only real delegation I give is when I switch the auto pilot on. I must, I must improve my trust
 
Bad is shouty - a bit guilty of that under pressure. Good is taking time before a complex manoeuvre to explain to crew what will happen and who is doing what including the bail out plan if it goes wrong. Good is being able to take a rookie on board and keep them confident and involved - I usually show them how to cleat off a mooring line before we set off (using OXO formula) and get them on the helm asap. Good is being able to explain and insist on good safety practice and not scare people. Delegation is good - but make it one simple thing at a time and all of that thing and delegate it jargon free well in advance IMHO
 
Nostrodamus said:
Is there such a thing as being born a natural sailor or is it something you can learn?
There are people I have sailed with who will never make a good sailor no matter what, usually because of communication skills or a lack of them.
So what makes a really good skipper and what makes a really bad skipper?
Click to expand...

I don't think good sailors are necessarily good skippers, although the reverse is probably true. Likewise good racing skippers aren't necessarily good cruising skippers and in this case vice versa. It also depends on who you are sailing with: someone who is a great skipper with strangers may be a terribly skipper with her family and someone who works well with adults may work terribly with children.

So ... I think a good skipper is one who achieves what s/he set out to do, doesn't kill anyone and gives everyone a good time.
 
Most of the personality problems tend to be secondary to basic competence. Maybe I am an Ahab on the boat, but I don't shout. This is not because I am a saint but because I have good spatial awareness, something that many skipper I see clearly lack.

The other important characteristic is cowardice. I don't like to alarm myself, so my crew don't get scared either.
 
Have been watching 'below deck' on itv be channel, now that old capt lee is a good skipper. He can read his crew and doesn't take no sh*t, notice how the crew all whinge about one another but nothing about the captain. most of the guests and nearly all the crew are one slice short of a sandwich, bit like my boat really, not to sur about his sailing skills but his people skills are fantastic
 
What's really bad is more than one skipper. I was once on a boat where two people, both excellent skippers in their own right, both thought they were in charge.
We ran aground.
 
Bit of confusion here between "sailor" and Skipper". While the two are not mutually exclusive they are not the same skill set. For skipper read leader/manager. In the case of a solo sailor then it's self management otherwise it's team management. The same management skills apply in any team environment and the only extra factor to consider would be the ability to use them whilst under physical stress while sailing. Some people are natural leaders and others not but the basic concepts of leadership can be learned.
 
Nostrodamus said:
Is there such a thing as being born a natural sailor or is it something you can learn?
There are people I have sailed with who will never make a good sailor no matter what, usually because of communication skills or a lack of them.
So what makes a really good skipper and what makes a really bad skipper?
Click to expand...

Your question asks about sailing ... and then about being skipper? Are you assuming that the best sailor is the best skipper? I don't think that is nec the case at all, really??
 
tcm said:
Your question asks about sailing ... and then about being skipper? Are you assuming that the best sailor is the best skipper? I don't think that is nec the case at all, really??
Click to expand...

No, you are totally right. Some excellent skippers are not good sailors and visa versa. Some of the best skippers I have been out with don'r SEEM to do anything but it obvious they are fully aware of everything that is going on and the limits of each individual crew member and how to use them best and get the best out of them.
 
blackbeard said:
What's really bad is more than one skipper. I was once on a boat where two people, both excellent skippers in their own right, both thought they were in charge.
We ran aground.
Click to expand...

Been there. I sailed with someone who was a pretty good skipper until his wife came onboard. She was clearly the boss, but had virtually no sailing competence. Didn't run aground, but there were a few other farcical episodes.
 
blackbeard said:
What's really bad is more than one skipper. I was once on a boat where two people, both excellent skippers in their own right, both thought they were in charge.
We ran aground.
Click to expand...

Great thread again Nostrodamas!

I was for a couple of years part of a 4 man team on a J -80 (anyone wants a cheap J 80 PM me...) and what a disaster!

Two of us owned our own boats and I'm cautious - he's not...

....a third couldn't stop himself giving a running commentry on everything he thought the others were doing wrong even thought he was useless at everything....

....and the 4th member was just glad he didn't have to pay for the boat himself anymore!

Never again.

Personally I try and remember everyone on the boat is there to help you get it somewhere and/or enjoy themselves, something Napoleon types seem to forget when they're barking 'Belay that to the starboard aft cleat immediately!' at the crew.
 
Nostrodamus said:
Some excellent skippers are not good sailors and visa versa. Some of the best skippers I have been out with don'r SEEM to do anything but it obvious they are fully aware of everything that is going on and the limits of each individual crew member and how to use them best and get the best out of them.
Click to expand...

I have never known an excellent skipper who isn't also at least a good sailor! I agree that a good skipper will be fully aware of everything; I just struggle with the idea that a bad sailor can be fully aware of everything on a yacht, therefore a good skipper must also be a good sailor - surely?

The best skippers I have ever known are hugely experienced and knowledgeable, calm under pressure, great at motivating, inspiring, conscientious, careful, good at communicating, at one with their vessel and crew, in tune with the conditions, confident but aware of their own limitations, safe, good humoured, organised, self aware, enthusiastic, resilient, practical and competent.

I have always thought that being a truly excellent skipper is basically impossible. There are so many facets to sailing that one can probably never be excellent at all elements. For me this is one of the beauties of sailing - you never stop learning!

Pete
 
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