Martin&Rene
Active member
I have recently been watching the TV programmes about the canal trips by Timothy West and Prunella Scales. As is often seen in harbours, marinas and canals, we have the normal images of man stood nonchalantly on the boat and the woman jumping off the boat and running around doing all the hard jobs on shore.
When we first started to discuss buying a yacht, having been on a few flotilla holidays, I said to my wife, that she would have to do the berthing, whilst I, being taller, longer legged, longer arms, stronger and more prepared to jump (if necessary) would do the shore work. With a bit of trepidation we started off on this approach and after 5 years I am sure she is now more confident and more competent that I am at bringing our 34' yacht alongside.
So let's have a survey from those who regularly sail as male/female couples. Who does which job, why and do you sometimes switch roles?
Incidentally the best piece of berthing I have seen this year was when the Commodore's wife had to bring their 38' yacht into a finger pontoon berth in a marina, towing a 30' yacht alongside that had a failed engine.
When we first started to discuss buying a yacht, having been on a few flotilla holidays, I said to my wife, that she would have to do the berthing, whilst I, being taller, longer legged, longer arms, stronger and more prepared to jump (if necessary) would do the shore work. With a bit of trepidation we started off on this approach and after 5 years I am sure she is now more confident and more competent that I am at bringing our 34' yacht alongside.
So let's have a survey from those who regularly sail as male/female couples. Who does which job, why and do you sometimes switch roles?
Incidentally the best piece of berthing I have seen this year was when the Commodore's wife had to bring their 38' yacht into a finger pontoon berth in a marina, towing a 30' yacht alongside that had a failed engine.