Top 5 skills for new crew
Author: Tim Davison
The 5 Skills New Crews Need
Newcomers are crewing from the moment they arrive on a boat. There really isn't a honeymoon period - they immediately have to climb on, help cast off, retrieve the fenders, hoist the sails..... and even steer!
As a new crew it would be great if you arrived on board having mastered the five key skills below. Then you will be both safe and useful.
As a skipper wouldn't it be great if your new arrivals brought the right gear (in a soft bag), could tie the key knots and knew how to move about the boat. That way, you won't spend the first ten minutes retrieving lost fenders and worrying about them falling overboard!
This article includes information from the sailing book 'The Crew's Pocketbook' by Tim Davison. and covers:
Knots: Round turn and two half hitches and clove hitch
Ropework: Coiling and throwing a rope
Moving around the boat. Getting on and off the boat
New Crew Skill 1
The Round Turn and Two Half Hitches is the most useful knot for sailors and will do almost any job.
You will need a Clove Hitch for the fenders.
And you ought to be able to tie a bowline, in case you need a loop that won't slip.
So start practising....
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New Crew Skill 2
The idea is to stop ropes going over the side of the boat and winding themselves round the propeller.
Here's how to coil a rope and put it away. Plus how to throw a rope
to someone ashore (who can then help you tie up the boat).
Coiling a rope
The secret is to twist and coil the rope in a clockwise direction to stop it kinking. Finish with two or more turns and push the end through the loop.
Throwing a rope
New Crew Skill 3
When you arrive at the boat practise getting on and off. Really, do it several times, using the shroud (wire holding up the mast) as your support. The last thing you want is to be doing this for the first time as the boat docks in a busy harbour with a strong wind blowing her off.
Next, walk around the deck. Look for things that can trip you up and for solid things to hold on to. (Ropes are no good because they move!)
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If you have time, ask for a harness and tether and practise moving about while clipped on.
All this will give you lots of confidence when you do get to sea.
New Crew Skill 4
In harbour (or at home as a simulation) practise leading the bowline under the guardrail and cleating it. Coil the rope and move to the shroud. Practise stepping off and cleating the rope round a mooring cleat.
New Crew Skill 5
On a yacht always use a winch. You won't be strong enough to pull ropes in by hand as you can on a dinghy.
These days you always wind the rope round the winch clockwise. Then insert the handle and show off your muscles. They put the winch handle away so it doesn't get flicked overboard.
There you go. That's got you started. For more, see The Crew's Pocketbook.. .
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And remember... as an proficient crew, you can take your pick of skippers and yachts. Without you to carry out their 'orders', they are helpless!
