From a very old Hobie Hotline.
CREW AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT
by Spence Lycan
"How to handle a crewperson, mark me well spoke the wise old man. The way to handle crewpersons, is with swift strokes, using back of hand." Cap'n Arthur, HMS CAMELOT
"Don't leave home without 'em." Edward Teach
This article is written by a skipper for same. Should a literate crew stumble across these candid words, stand reminded that the truth, like the sun, can burn and irritate. Further, the very basis of a skipper/crew relationship is that of enlightenment by the skipper of the unapprised crew. This relationship is of classic lines, of give and take. The skipper gives the commands. The crew takes them. While platitudes are written of the competition between boats, the real action is on each boat, between skipper and crew. The skipper tries to break in the crew before the crew can break up the boat. Even if you sail without crew nor jib, read on to learn what it is all about.
Instant success is rarely the mark of a novice racer. A new skipper will need several minutes of experience before commanding others with alacrity and probity. But crews necessarily require several years hard work before earning respect due their station of life. Thus the Skipper's Prime Directive is the transformation of scurrilous anthropoids into attentive crewpersons, responsive to their sailing master. Verily, good crews are made, not born, by great skippers.
Aboard my Hobie, all them that ain't driving are crewing. My crew duty assignments are simplistic, serving as positive reinforcement upon completion. Hopefully the future will show a significant increase in responsible crew duties. But at present, the crew trims the jib, calls starting time, maintains boat trim, monitors shifting wind and weather conditions, calculates tidal set, makes minor fine-tuning sail plan adjustments, watches for leeward and crossing boats with right-of-way, calls laylines, performs basic trailer maintenance, makes periodic van or RV tune-ups, packs all foodstuffs and equipment and prepares the occasional meal over the weekend. As skipper, the onerous duties of finding the regatta and then wiggling the stick dominate my time. None the less, I insist on splitting all remaining contingencies, right down the middle. The skipper shoulders the praise, the crew the blame.
When the day's long hot races are finished, it is time to find a shady keg around which sea stories, suds and lounging comradely is shared with other skippers. This tranquility will be broken only by the comfortable sounds of the crews washing down the boats, putting up the tents and preparing the evening barbecue. Take this time to share of yourself and your thoughts with your crew. Eventually wander over and gently critique those times when the crew's responses cost valuable time and boat position. As a caring skipper, let the crew know that you care enough to get the very best, no matter what the pain, to the crew. Remember skippers, only one skipper can win each race, but all are winners who strive to meet Captain William Bligh's firm but fair standards, established for South Sea cruisers, back in the late 1780's.
