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Opinions on crewing

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2far2drive
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/08/2008 : 09:34:10

I just got an offer to crew in a race next weekend here in the bay for some regatta. Normally I would think crewing is a great way to learn sailing from an experienced (I hope) Captain and fellow crewmates, but at my current level, will I just be more in the way?

What do you guys think about crewing? Also, as I stated in the last thread, Im thinking about crewing in a race from Galveson to Veracruz.
http://www.veracruzregatta.com/

David
83 SR/FK #3341
Kemah Texas

Edited by - on

Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2008 : 10:04:15

Go for it!

Prior to the race, ask what your specific duties will be. If you are uncertain about your ability to perform the task, ask for instructions.

This is a great learning opportunity so bring your gloves and have fun. Oh, and as others have stated in prior threads...stay around afterwards to help clean up.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2008 : 10:16:55

Absolutely, go for it. Good way to learn something new, and sometimes what not to do, and fun to see how others rig their boats. You can almost always come away with a good idea.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2008 : 10:30:36

I crewed for a year on a big 38 foot race boat. I finally quit in disgust. I did learn a lot and learned how to fly a spinnaker, rig, hoist, gybe, and douse. I also learned how NOT to run a race boat, how to get cussed at, how to get taken advantage of, how to sit around on the rail a lot with little to do, how to go to the soaking wet bow and get the jib down at night in 30 knots of wind and 6 foot seas on a boat with no ability to reef and only 1 big jib because I was the only one with foulies. I learned how to get the race boat in at 3 AM when the owner and all of the crew but 2 had quit and were below asleep. I learned how most people crewing are there to drink someone else's booze and act important. I learned to wash someone elses boat while they were partying and how to empty the garbage. I learned how to be a human preventer (now there is an exciting job). I learned how to sit below to move the weight forward - also rewarding and a great learning experience.

I did also learn a lot about the starting sequence and the rules of racing. I got frequent examples of how to make a bad start in the 2nd tier of boats.

My final decision, its more fun to spend the day on my boat with my quiet friends than to be a cog in a wheel on a middle of the pack big boat that takes 8 people to sail (except I think 4 could do it).

I hate bay races but enjoy middle distance offshore races. My C25 can complete the race if there is wind but never come in anywhere but dead last and hope to correct up. So if you want to race and win, find a fast good boat to crew on where people work together and have fun.

We are joining the local Catalina only races in hopes of finding a lower-key group of racers and I think we'll be more competitive in a group of C-27s, C-30s, C-34, etc than racing Flying Tigers and Beneteau 40.7s.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2008 : 10:42:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by 2far2drive
 ...at my current level, will I just be more in the way?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Absolutely not! It's a great opportunity to learn. The skipper will probably ask you what you can do well (e.g., foredeck, tailer, trimmer, helmsman, etc.) If you tell him you're a newbie, he'll use you as rail meat, and be glad to have you. If so, stay out of the cockpit during the race. Position yourself on the windward rail, unless you're told to do otherwise, and move from one side to the other each time the boat tacks, without being told. (In light air, he might tell you to sit on the lee rail.) If something goes wrong, stay out of it unless you really know what you're doing. If you're sure you can help, do so without being told. Avoid any unnecessary conversation and don't ask unnecessary questions during the race. Watch, listen and learn. When you get back to the dock, help fold sails and put the boat away.

The Vera Cruz Regatta is something you should think about long and hard before you decide to go. Some people love it, but it's not for everyone. A 610 mile race across the Gulf of Mexico, followed by a long cruise back to Galveston, will be two serious open water passages. During the racing leg, they'll be driving the boat to it's limits all the way, regardless of the weather conditions, and, if the weather is bad, even experienced blue water sailors can get sick, and it's not unheard of for experienced ocean racers to panic and abandon a perfectly sound sailboat for an inflatable life raft. You know yourself better than anyone. Ask yourself if you can keep your fear under control and do what you have to do under those conditions. If you have serious doubts, it's probably better not to go.

If you go, I'd suggest you take a non-drousy type of motion sickness pill before you step on the boat, regardless of how calm the conditions are. It won't hurt you, and it'll help ensure that you won't suffer mal de mer. If you wait until the onset, you won't be able to keep the pill in your stomach. I'd also suggest you bring your own racing gloves and your own safety harness and tether, in case they don't have enough for everyone. If you have the right attitude about it, and know it won't be a walk in the park, and are prepared for it, you'll probably be one who'll love it. If not, it could be a very long trip. If you think you can handle it, it'd be a great adventure.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 02/08/2008 11:21:58

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2008 : 12:36:58

I'm not interested in racing, but I crewed many years ago to learn how to handle a sailboat. So even if you are like me and have no interest in racing, total immersion is the fastest and most complete way to learn. Go for it, and ask for explanations after the race. And if the skipper is a jerk on the boat, don't go back. There will be other opportunities.

Edited by - on

John Bixby
Navigator

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118 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2008 : 14:12:32

The websitefor the AmigosRegatta will tell you all the equip.
you need to have. Most is the responsibility of the captain,
ie EPRIB etc. You will dock Med style in Veracruz. I should
be a great experience if you're into long races. The trip back
can be great with stops along the way.
Also, try the Harvest Moon sometime. I took my buddy 5 days to
get back from Corpus due to weather.
If you like sailing the Gulf I'd say go for it
John on Ms Achsa

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2008 : 15:33:33

Given your past experiences, I'd say GO FOR IT! It'll be a great way to learn a lot. I'd bet you'll learn as much or maybe more on the return trip than in the race. I'd imagine that it would be an awful way to find out if you don't like it offshore though.

A well fitting , auto-inflate PFD with harness might be something you'd want to invest in so that you don't end up wearing something that doesn't really fit or isn't very comfortable. Good quality shoes wouldn't hurt either.

Have fun then come back and tell us what you've learned.

Edited by - on

newell
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2008 : 13:18:35

I crewed once in the Regatta des Amigos and I thought it was a wonderful experience. I had been sailing for many years before I did it but never that far on blue water. There is a level of excitement about standing watch on the open ocean in the dark that is very satisfying and yet very humbling. Think carefully 'cause you will be at sea for 3-4 dyas each way.

newell

Edited by - on

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.