BOWMAN Pre-Race Setup: Ensure proper sails are on the boat before leaving the dock. Drag sails back out of bow, stack in a most likely to be used on top sequence. Inspect for crossed halyards. Bring halyards back to mast collar. Lead spinnaker sheets (outboard) to aft turning blocks, and guys (inboard at the shrouds direct to the aft winch area). Mount guy blocks on toe rail at widest points. Hook the port and starboard spinnaker sheets together, back on the port bow, tighten and put stopper slipknots at the turning blocks. Hook the guys to their spinnaker sheet shackles, and run the guys to the aft winches and cleat. Setup spinnaker pole (bottom of mast and through pulpit) on correct side (normally starboard), before starts (under genoa sheets). Select primary headsail and chute, backups if warranted. Position sails on deck, bags tied/clipped on to life lines, ready for use (don t trap lines!) Bend on genoa, selecting same tack, foil groove, and halyard for the most likely inside headsail change later (usually port). Feed genoa and free telltales during hoist. Watch for traffic before start, telling the helmsman to come up or go down to clear right of way boats. Don t ask if he sees such and such a boat coming at us ; YOU are steering the boat through the pre-start traffic. Starting: Call the line for the helmsman, using hand signals. Stay low in bow pulpit to reduce wind turbulence on the sail Watch committee boat to see if we were called over early. Get off the bow as soon as the gun goes. Sit furthest forward near the shrouds. Spinnaker Sets: Call for spinnaker bag early enough and try to set it up when desired lifelines are on the high side, before the last approach tack into the mark. Hook up spinnaker lines and halyard before set, make sure they are not run through the pulpit or lifelines. Push pole end up while topping lift is being taken up.
Open spinnaker bag and hold sail while guy is positioned, until spinnaker halyard starts up; hold foot of genoa away from lifelines to make prefeed easier. Pull down and gather in genoa as spinnaker nears full hoist. Remove and re-feed genoa through pre-feeder and into proper groove in foil, (ready to hoist in an emergency). Bungee down rest of genoa against lifelines. Fasten hobble shackle to halyard shackle, and holler Grind the rig!. Unhook spinnaker turtle and toss below through forward hatch. Close hatch and lock with outside handles. On way back, disconnect lazy guy (if light air), connect to lifeline. Take up proper weight position on boat, away from the bow, but forward of the rest of the crew so as not to have to climb over anybody to get to the foredeck in an emergency, or for the next maneuver. Start thinking about the next gybe, the genoa hoist, the spinnaker takedown, halyards, etc. Watch for waves, puffs, seaweed, and the next mark. Spinnaker Gybes: On Prepare to Gybe!, douse any staysails (at least temporarily). Take any trapped halyards forward, clip to pulpit forward of the headstay out of the way. Reconnect lazy guy to spinnaker sheet on Prepare to gybe. Take lazy guy forward to bow on the Ready to gybe command. Clear genoa head, if in the way. Position lazy guy in your hand so that it is ready to slam into the open pole end when it swings past you. Position yourself on the opposite side of the foil from where the pole will be coming from, (for protection). Ensure the pole end closes when you insert the lazy guy, then lift it up above your head as you yell Made!.. Watch the pole end during the lift for possible fouling of lines. When the hot box lifts the pole from your outstretched hand, come back off the bow, detaching the new lazy guy from the sheet on your way back, (if the air is light), attach it to the lifeline forward. Ensure lazy sheet is on top of the pole end and hanging inside the guy. Bring back any formerly trapped halyards and secure them to the mast collar.
Spinnaker Takedowns: Ensure genoa is on proper side of pole foreguy (downhaul). If not, undo the tack and head, bring them back behind the foreguy and then forward to be re-tacked and re-feed the head, (through pre-feeders). Make sure that you don t put a twist in the sail then remove and tie the sheets together and haul them over the pole to the correct side and re-tie them to the genoa. On the Prepare to douse command, unfasten any genoa tie-downs. Unfasten the hobble line from the genoa halyard. Make sure that the genoa goes up smoothly. On the command Blow the chute!, LEEWARD TAKEDOWN: Help pull in the spinnaker under the foot of the genoa in front of the shrouds by pulling in the lazy guy to the middle of the foredeck. Take in foot first to keep it dry and blanketed behind genoa. WINDWARD TAKEDOWN: Remove the pole early, with the Mastman holding out the guy. Quickly pull the entire chute to weather of the forestay. The Hotbox will lower it as he sees it blow into the jib. Stuff the chute below, through the forward hatch. Unsnap the forward spinnaker sheet and snap it to the aft spinnaker sheet and the halyard. At this point, hike out on rail for a minute or so to get boat going again before doing the remaining cleanup tasks. If necessary, (starboard side takedowns), remove sheet and guy from pole end. Drag attached spinnaker sheets and guys (and port halyard) around forestay by pulling on the port guy, (try to stay off the bow) and re-attach to the lifelines midway back on the port bow. Reposition pole end to starboard for next set. Insert the starboard guy into the pole end. Take a proper weight position, near the shrouds to be close to the next foredeck action. Tacks: Clear genoa through fore triangle from one set of shrouds around past the other, and skirt the foot over the lifelines if going to close-hauled Ensure sheet bowlines don t get caught at the shrouds. Quickly take up new weight position out of the slot. Staysails: Tack bottom of bag to the center deck track or appropriate weather rail. Use other halyard on same side of pole, if possible. Keep luff tight during hoist to keep from getting the staysail caught behind the spreaders. Call hoist tension and initial trim while leaving the foredeck.
Reefing: Ensure that the solid vang is in the supporting position. Pull the luff of the main down until the reefing ring on the sail s luff can be placed under the reefing hook at the gooseneck. NOTE: this must be done before the reefing line can be completely taken in. Holler MADE to the Hotbox and hold the ring onto the hook until the halyard tension raises the main against the hook. Move the solid vang back to a safe working position. Unreefing: When the main is lowered enough for you to remove the ring from the reefhook, yell FREE!. General: Call genoa halyard tension for changing conditions. Watch draft. Call headsail Trim from vantage point, seated at the shrouds, if staysail is blocking cockpit trimmer s view. Call waves that are coming which would hurt our boatspeed. Halyards that are needed on the other side of the pole, can be taken forward to the pulpit before a gybe and back to the mast afterwards; if you can wait that long. Keep running the status of each halyard through your mind, before a planned gybe, headsail change, etc. to help keep them from being fouled (twisted, trapped, etc.) Watch for the next turning mark to judge your time to get ready. Always look up when removing a halyard from the mast collar to ensure that it is clear. When pulling on ANY line, watch the other end of it for the desired results. Don t pull a halyard out of someone s hand or try to harden it when it s become unclipped. Try to do all of your job without being on the bow any longer than you absolutely have to. An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions! Possibly time for the question afterwards.
MASTMAN Pre-Race Setup: Ensure proper sails are onboard before leaving the dock. Verify spinnakers are packed before leaving the dock or on the way to the race course. Don t rubberband the.50 ounce chute and only 3 or 4 bands on the head and starboard leg of the.6 and.75 chutes (if any). Check all lines for being properly led (YOU will be the one held responsible no matter who HELPED!) If winds are predicted to be strong, check all reefing gear readiness. Have light air spinnaker sheets located and ready to deploy. Fasten main halyard in forward hole of main s headboard. Remove sail ties from main and hand to hotbox. Feed main, making sure cunningham is loose and reefing hooks are cleared. Ensure that main s luff slides don t bind during the hoist. Call proper main halyard tension for conditions. Fasten genoa sheets (small bowline eyes with longer tails).. Jump genoa halyard at the mast during initial headsail hoist. Starting: Don t move around during final approach to the line (unless it s a spinnaker start). Correctly position your weight out of the slot. Don t get pinned-in on the rail, stay ready for a tack. Listen to the dialogue between the helmsman and tactician to anticipate calls to action if situation changes. Keep bowman updated on starting plans and upcoming maneuvers (relaying any calls from the cockpit). Spinnaker Sets: Pre-set inboard end of pole before outboard end is raised by the pole-lift, then lock-in the spinnaker car control lines (top and bottom). Fasten the pole lift halyard, looking up to ensure that it is clear. (may need to first run it outside the genoa leech and under the foot if doing a gybe set rather than a bear away). Jump the pole lift halyard at the mast. Jump spinnaker halyard at mast during set. When almost hoisted, leave this job and help gather in the foot of the genoa being dropped, bungee to rail.
Fasten preventer (vang tackle) to toe-rail if conditions warrant. Take over flying the spinnaker, from the port-grinder (first make sure you have gloves, hat and good sunglasses). Call for pole height, angle to wind, and any desired cocking. Spinnaker Gybes: Make sure lazy sheet is on top of the pole end, (this won t be required on the first gybe). Practice this! Raise inboard end of pole to gybe mark on mast on the Prepare to gybe command, lock it down, top and bottom. Fasten the trip line to the ring on the pole. Cast off preventer if it was rigged. Hold the pole foreguy and give it a short pull on the Gybe-ho command to start pole towards the bowman when it is tripped. Help with the raising of the pole on the other side of the forestay by jumping pole lift halyard carefully so as not to collapse the spinnaker in light air. Reset inboard end of pole and lock it down, top and bottom. Re-rig preventer to the rail on the new side. Take up trimming the new spinnaker sheet. Spinnaker Takedowns: On the Prepare to douse! command, turn over spinnaker flying to the grinder at the winch. May need to reef or re-raise main for next leg s conditions. Remove preventer from rail and hook to mast base. Fasten lazy guy to spinnaker sheet for pulling in under genoa. Jump genoa halyard at mast. Feed lazy guy under genoa and over lifelines to the bowman ahead of the shrouds. Pull all of the leech tape in going for the head and halyard. Detach spinnaker halyard and fasten to mast (if on proper side), or to spinnaker shackles if it must be cleared to the opposite side of the boat. Now hike out to get the boat up to speed before cleaning up! Lower spinnaker pole on the mast track. Go below and repack the chute unless it s the last leg. Tacks: Take clew by the new-leeward shrouds and lean back towards the deck to speed up the sheeting. Possibly preventing need for bowman to skirt it, and keeping weight off the bow.
Assume correct weight distribution position, out of the slot and just aft of the bowman. Staysails: Know which is in which bag, where it is stored, which to use in each set of conditions, where the block lead should be, and whether it is run between the shrouds or outside them. Ask tactician in advance if they will be needed on the next leg, or ask anytime, if conditions change. Get the staysails from the hot box, and pass them to the bowman. Jump halyard at mast for raising staysails very quickly. Reefing: Grind in the reefing line on the boom winch until main trimmer yells made. Don t grind it all the way home until you hear the bowman yell made with the reefing hook and luff ring. Cleat the reef line. Unreefing: Ease the reefline off the boom winch, watching that the boom doesn t fall on anyone. Coil and secure the reefline. General: Pass communications forward to the bowman. Halyards that are needed on the other side of the polelift can be taken forward to the pulpit before gybing and back after if you can wait that long. Keep running the status of each halyard through your mind, before a planned gybe, headsail change, etc. to help keep them from getting fouled. Watch for the next turning mark, waves, puffs and weeds. When pulling on a line watch the other end of the line for the desired effect, time your actions accordingly. Always look up when selecting a halyard from the mast ring. An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions!
HOT BOX Pre-race Setup: Clear all halyard tails into cabin. Coil and hang them according to planned usage. Locate and have timer, race program, light spinnaker sheets, and binoculars stored close by in cockpit. Make sure all halyards have a figure eight stopper knot. Release vang and cunningham during main hoisting, then reset. Stow the mainsail ties. Tail then grind winch for main hoist to proper halyard tension as called by main trimmer. Tail then grind winch for genoa hoist to proper halyard tension as called by tailer/trimmer. Leave the genoa halyard around the winch and into the cleat; open and reclose the clutch to save the halyard. Set the prop. Holler Prop set! to helmsman. Starting: Setup timer and press start on the knotmeter at the 10 minute gun. Double check time being counted down by tactician. Assume proper weight position on final approach. Spinnaker Sets: Pass up called-for spinnaker Place pole-lift halyard (uphaul) onto its winch. Raise spinnaker pole to the appropriate height (level) and lock its clutch. Prepare genoa halyard tail, ready to run out when released. Tail the spinnaker halyard on its winch; grind till mark exits the clutch. Ease outhaul on main to main-trimmer s liking. Also ease the vang (normally) for all downwind legs. Increase boom vang to firm up main s leech, if reaching. Grind the genoa halyard after it is made with the hobble line, making sure that the backstay has first been released. Prepare pole-lift for a gybe. Take up proper weight position on rail?, or near cabin top controls (to raise/lower pole).
Spinnaker Gybes: On the Ready to gybe command, release the preventer/vang clutch if necessary, setup pole-lift tail to the gybe-mark in the cleat behind the winch. On Gybe-ho! or Trip-it! command, open the pole-lift clutch dropping the pole, and with the other hand, trip the pole jaws. Hold open until the pole swings down clear of spinnaker and its lines. When pole lift has dropped to the gybe-mark, immediately reset clutch to raise it again as soon as you hear the bowman yell Made!. Raise pole until foreguy is tight again, (coordinating with the tailer / trimmer will end up with pole level again). Re-hoist any required staysails. Resume proper weight position. Spinnaker Takedowns: On the Prepare to douse! command, loosen the genoa halyard that is cleated at the bow, and setup the spinnaker halyard to the ½ mark around the winch and in the cleat.. Apply Cunningham to main. Apply outhaul to main. Apply vang to main boom. Tail then grind genoa halyard to the proper tension for next leg. On the blow the chute command, LEEWARD TAKEDOWN: open the spinnaker halyard clutch and drop about a half of the halyard immediately; then lower the rest as fast as the foredeck crew can handle it. After spinnaker halyard has been totally released, lower the pole to the deck slowly, then remove polelift tail totally from the winch and holler Clear to tack! to the helmsman, even if we weren t planning to tack.. WINDWARD TAKEDOWN: Lower the pole a little and trip it away from the chute. Lower the pole end to the deck, and release the polelift totally. When you see most of the chute has been dragged to weather of the forestay, start lowering the chute which should blow into the genoa. Holler Clear to tack! to the helmsman, whenever most of the chute is under control, even if we weren t planning to tack. Tighten and secure pole lift when bowman has it fastened to the mast collar. Tension spinnaker halyard when mastman makes it secure. Re-secure the forward hatch from the inside if heavy weather. Tacks: Ignore these people, quickly shift position to opposite side, crossing over cabin top and not through cockpit.
Reefing: Ease vang while reefing is going in, reapply when reefed. Lower the main halyard to the reefing mark and wait for bowman to yell Made, then raise it up to a hard luff. Un-reefing: Ease vang while reef is coming out, reapply when reef has been shaken out. Lower the main halyard a couple of inches, until the bowman yells free, then proceed to take it up to a tight luff. Re-tension cunningham, outhaul, etc. if warranted, (ask main trimmer). General: Know where all spare gear and safety equipment is, keep it handy, and be able to produce it when called upon. When pulling on a line watch the other end of the line for the desired effect, time your actions accordingly. An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions!
SKIPPER (usually also doing one of the other primary 8 positions, usually Helmsman) Pre-race Setup: Check race program. Stress anything noteworthy with rest of crew. Sort out crew positions, based on skill levels available that day; familiarity with the boat s organization ; skill strengths, and crew s personal preferences. May need to have different helmsmen for different portions of the race (starts, upwind, mark roundings in traffic, downwind, etc.); or for different conditions (very light or heavy weather). Have handheld charged up and on correct channel in the cockpit General: Make final call on any disputed situations, before it gets heated. Remember: an order from the skipper is followed immediately, no question; so use this power sparingly and wisely. Ask for input when there is time, but issue the order when time has run out. Monitor crew safety lifejackets, harnesses, sleep, alcohol, etc. monitor crew concentration. Rotate personnel to keep up a high level of competitiveness.
TACTICIAN (usually also doing one of the other primary 8 crew positions) Pre-race Setup: Check weather forecast. Obtain personal copy of race program and digest it. Know the signals for that day s shortened course, recall, postponement, mark change, etc. Install or unfurl correct class flag for event entered. Get race committee time (start sequence, course headings) as early as possible. Identify starting box and orientate helmsman. Check line squareness to first leg. Make a list of the boats in our class. Determine true wind direction, current wind phases, any current, favored start point, favored side of beat, tacking angles, wind shear, etc. Take boat through each of the first three headings (if its not a windward/leeward course). Determine time required to run down the line on starboard. Starts: Discuss starting strategy with helmsman. Inform crew of plan. Call time every fifteen seconds during last three minutes. Try to find or construct (through luffing) a hole in the start line, if opportunities look slim at the ends. Adjust starting plan as conditions change, inform crew of changes. Implement plan B if not in a good position after crossing the starting line or conditions change. Have handheld charged up and on correct channel in the cockpit Listen for our sail number if close to being over the start line. Figure out quickest way back to line if called over early. Spinnaker Sets: Verify spinnaker is proper call for next leg, pole is on the correct side, chute is proper weight, etc. Determine if bear away or gybe set is best tactic for the downwind leg. Watch preparations and crew work for problems or improvement opportunities (take notes for use in the debriefing later). Fly spinnaker during set until relieved by mastman. Pull clew of spinnaker after halyard starts up, preventing an hourglass. Think about tweekers? (Use lazy guys?) Choke chute?
Keep air clear while sailing a course to blanket those ahead. Spinnaker Gybes: Plan ahead to: 1) minimize the number of gybes required, 2) arrive at mark on inside overlap with enough time to get the headsail up and trimmed, or be set for the rounding spinnaker gybe on non windward/leewards, 3) use gybes to blanket competitors ahead. Call Prepare to gybe! at proper point, judging preparation time. Call Gybe-ho! or Trip-it! when crew is ready and boat is positioned correctly. Keep tension on spinnaker sheets to keep them on top of the pole or ensure that they hang inside the guy. Take up new spinnaker sheet until mastman can relieve; fly sheet (ease or pull) to keep spinnaker full. Resume proper weight position. Spinnaker Takedowns: Holler Prepare to douse! when approaching the leeward mark. Hail outside overlapped boats for Room at the mark! Holler Blow the chute! coming into the leeward mark. Tacks: Holler Prepare to tack! soon enough for crew to get ready. After they are ready, holler Helm s alee!. Watch for starboard-tackers, call dip or lee-bow tacking if required. Watch for lifts and headers. Can not afford to miss these! Determine the new phases of the wind and call tacks to get to the favored side of the course. Reefing/unreefing: Monitor boat heel, rudder angle, speed, etc. To call for putting in a reef or shaking one out. Watch operation for timing and problems developing. Keep rest of boat racing during these operations. General: Monitor boat s heeling angle, moving crew accordingly. Monitor sail trim and boat feel. Know target numbers. Monitor compass, inform helmsman of compass lifts and headers.
Monitor fore and aft angle, weight towards bow in light air, to reduce wetted surface area, and aft in heavy airs to increase control. Monitor competitors: who we have to cover, who can hurt us, etc. (Temporarily) sail lower than closehauled towards a mark, if you want a following crossing competitor to overstand, and conversely, (temporarily) sail above close-hauled, if you want a following crossing competitor to tack below the layline also, as we apparently have done. (Temporarily) sail lower than close-hauled when an approaching port-tacker is planning to lee-bow us, and conversely, (temporarily) sail above closehauled if a starboard-tacker is planning to tack on our air to cover us. Monitor wind speed for proper sail selection, especially near the end of a spinnaker leg. When pulling on a line watch the other end of the line for the desired effect, time your actions accordingly. An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions!
GRINDERS (PORT/STARBOARD) (two of these are needed, one per side which will either be grinding or releasing their side) Pre-race Setup: Run genoa sheets through track cars, position cars as required. Have changing/tweeker sheets located ready for a multitude of uses. Place figure eight stoppers in only the genoa sheets. Bring out lock-in winch handles, placing three at forward end of cockpit, one for hotbox use. Starts: Know starting plan. Know current time. Know whether the helmsman wants speed (assumed) or stall at all times. Know whether you should be on the inboard or outboard sheeting tracks. If a reaching start, lead should be positioned forward (and possibly outboard) but ready to move aft (and possibly inboard) if we have to go close-hauled. Spinnaker Sets: (Port Grinder) Loosen leeward spinnaker sheet and guy for bowman. Place spinnaker sheet on windward primary winch, (cross-sheet to high side behind mainsheet, so that sheet and guy weight are on same high side). Two wraps, one if light winds. Place lock-in double winch handle into spinnaker sheet winch. Initially fly the spinnaker during the set from the cockpit winch position. Pass spinnaker sheet up to the Mastman when he is ready. Get ready for Trim! commands from the spinnaker flyer, (find the fastest winch setting first couple of cranks are crucial to preventing a collapse!) Spinnaker Sets: (Starboard Grinder) Release foreguy (pole downhaul) Loosen windward spinnaker sheet and guy for bowman. Set up afterguy ( guy ) on the secondary winch, insert handle. If wind is light, draw guy back to the pole end, and possibly even back to its final position before launch. Secure foreguy (pole downhaul), if windy. Get the guy back to the proper position quickly as the boat turns down.
During the launch and whenever asked by mastman ease pole forward or bring it back to keep spinnaker drawing square to the wind. Dump pole forward to catch a collapse, then grind back. You are one of the 4 people flying the spinnaker (mastman, starboard grinder, afterguy and helmsman in that order). Stay alert. ALWAYS KEEP THE POLE OFF THE FORESTAY! Spinnaker Gybes: (Port Grinder) Take over control of the old spinnaker sheet at the winch. When boat begins its turn (either squaring or gybing), remove and stow the handle, remove some wraps if necessary, ease the sheet to keep pace, so that spinnaker remains full and under control. Don t ease the clew further that the forestay. When new guy takes over the spinnaker load from the old spinnaker sheet, ease off the old spinnaker sheet (now lazy ) while keeping it on its winch ready for the next gybe. Ensure it remains on top of the pole hanging inside the guy). Take over grinding on new spinnaker sheet from tailer. Spinnaker Gybes: (Starboard Grinder) On the Prepare to gybe! command, uncleat the foreguy, and start bringing the pole back to square the chute as the boat turns. Cleat the foreguy and afterguy when square. On the Gybe-ho! command, move to the new guy and when the Made! call comes from the bowman, tail then grind in the new guy and commence flying the pole. Spinnaker Takedowns: (Port Grinder) Take over trimming the spinnaker at the winch. After spinnaker halyard is blown, release the spinnaker sheet off the winch completely. Once foot is gathered, unwrap all spinnaker gear so that it can be dragged forward and re-rigged. Load up the weather genoa sheet for a tack. Put a handle in the winch. Get weight to the proper position. Spinnaker Takedowns: (Starboard Grinder) Ease the spinnaker guy to the forestay as the foot of the spinnaker is being gathered. Clear the guy off the winch so that it can be reset by the bowman.
Tacks: (Leeward Grinder) Uncleat genoa sheet and remove any excess wraps; watch luff of headsail, and break the sheet (by lifting it straight up off the winch) when sail starts to backwind. Drop tail over winch to keep it out of cleats, unkinked, etc. Watch for any kinks which might jam in the deck turning block. Watch out for tailer/trimmer s elbows as he brings in the sheet. Get to the high side weight position. Loadup high side winch after every tack is completed, so that we are ready for the emergency tack (two or three wraps). Tacks: (Windward Grinder) Set up for highest winch speed. Brace feet for boat heeling angle on new tack, keep head below boom level. Start grinding after tailer/trimmer has taken in several armfuls of sheet. Initial speed is important to prevent sail from filling out over the lifelines. Keep grinding and shifting gears until the tailer/trimmer hollers to stop; then go to the proper (high side?) weight position. Staysails: (Port Grinder) Set up sheet block (forward for tallboy, aft for spinnaker staysail). Use any open winch, since it will be down before any other uses. Trim after hoist as needed. Reefing: Ignore these people. Un-reefing: Ignore these people. General: Continuously go over the line positions in your head, after each maneuver, to ensure we haven t tangled something and that the lines are ready for their next use. Ease or tighten the afterguy/downhaul whenever a call to move the pole is made. Flake the tails of all lines and put them in their pouches or on the seats/floor in separate piles, ready to run out.
Make sure winch handles are removed from winches after use, especially if they aren t lock-in handles. When pulling on a line watch the other end of the line for the desired effect, time your actions accordingly. Watch for other boat s tactics, changes in condition, marks, waves, etc., and pass this info on to helmsman/tactician An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions!
TAILER/TRIMMER Pre-race Setup: Run genoa sheets, over the guys. Position genoa cars as required (usually to the number written on the clew of the sail). Have changing sheet at the ready. Place figure eight stoppers in only the genoa sheets. Bring out winch handles. Even out the foreguy (downhaul) on both sides of the cockpit. Ensure two stopper knots in the end of each line to prevent run-through. Starts: Know starting plan. Know current time to go. Know whether the helmsman wants speed (default) or stall at all times. Communicate with helmsman! Spinnaker Sets: Ease genoa sheet as boat rounds the windward mark, and at the same time, lower genoa halyard when spinnaker nearly hoisted, matching bowman s ability to keep it out of the water. It s very important that the genoa comes down as soon as possible for most points of sail. Cast off genoa sheet as (or after) genoa is lowered. Quickly move to proper weight position. Relieve mastman on spinnaker flying as required/requested. Spinnaker Gybes: Load up the lazy guy on the leeward secondary winch at the red mark so the bowman has enough slack. Put a handle in this winch. Cross sheet the lazy spinnaker sheet behind the mainsheet onto the primary winch, put a lock-in winch handle into this winch. On the Prepare to gybe! command, take in the lazy spinnaker sheet and remove any slack in it. On the gybe-ho! command, trim in the new spinnaker sheet fast enough to keep the spinnaker full as the boat makes its turn to the new course. Turn over sheet grinding duties to port grinder when pole is set. Uncleat the new lazy guy and reload it at the red mark, ready for the next gybe. Clear and prep the new lazy spinnaker sheet.
Move to proper weight position. Spinnaker Takedowns: Load up the leeward primary winch with the genoa sheet; keep it slack until the genoa is fully hoisted, and then fly it very loosely until spinnaker halyard is blown. Trim in the genoa as the boat turns to the new course (keep telltales streaming), ignoring the chute takedown! Tacks: On the Prepare to tack! command, cleat genoa sheet, cross to the windward side, and pull in all available slack in advance. On the tacking or helm s alee! command start hauling in the genoa sheet arm over arm as fast as possible! (long pulls) Speed prevents overrides on winch and if the sail doesn t have enough slack to go out over the lifelines, it won t take much more to grind it home. As grinder starts to grind the sheet in, watch foot first for a missed skirt operation. Move to a position aft of the winch and look up at the spreader tips to know when to stop pulling, and call off the grinder. Stop earlier than close-hauled until boat gets back up to speed (watch the knotmeter), then bring in the sail the rest of the way as the helmsman heads up to his close-hauled course. Staysails: Ignore these people. Move to the high side to see telltales or appoint someone to call trim on the genoa since you can no longer see the telltales. Reefing/Unreefing: Concentrate on the remaining engine for the boat. General: Continuously go over the line positions in your head, after each maneuver, to ensure we haven t tangled something and that the lines are ready for their next use. Flake the tails of all lines and put them on the seats or on the floor in separate piles, ready to run out. Make sure winch handles are removed from winches after use, especially if they aren t lock-in handles.
When pulling on a line watch the other end of the line for the desired effect, time your actions accordingly. Watch for other boat s tactics, changes in conditions, marks, etc., and pass this info on to helmsman/tactician. An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions!
HELMSMAN Pre-race Setup: Read race program. Retrieve and insert engine control sticks. Position engine controls for starting (out of gear). Use both batteries for motoring out to the start, then switch to one. Check all engine instrument readouts frequently. Know and monitor course heading to the start area for the day. Stop engine before warning gun, position controls to reverse to lock prop and remove and stow the sticks (throttle and gear levers). Starts: Know starting plan. Know current time. Watch and listen to bowman and tactician. Know whether speed or stall is needed at any given time and communicate this to trimmers. Watch for starting box (green) markers before our 5-minute gun. Watch for barging and committee boat protection marks when starting. Spinnaker Sets: Come into mark wide (if permitted) and round tight to the mark.. Turn around the mark smoothly, avoiding the brakes. Sail high of course until spinnaker opens, to obtain and keep clear air, then go to course if traffic permits. Steer straight! The more you steer the slower the boat goes! Inform crew of any planned changes before you turn the boat! Spinnaker Gybes: If possible, square away to a more downwind angle before the gybe. Steer straight! Don t come to new heading (stay squared) until gybe is complete, unless this will help fill the spinnaker, (very light airs). Spinnaker Takedowns: Come into mark wide and round up to weather tight to the mark. Ignore these people, and keep steering! You can t help them now. Concentrate on getting into the groove for the next course. Communicate with your main and genoa trimmers about the feel.
Tacks: Turn at a steady pace, (same speed for each tack), matching crew speed. (Don t apply brakes by turning too fast). Go beyond close-hauled to get back speed, then head back up. Staysails: Ignore these people, and keep steering!.... Concentrate! Reefing/Unreefing: Ignore these people, and keep steering!.... Concentrate! General: Don t touch any lines, tell someone else, and steer the boat! The primary job of the helmsman is to make the boat go fast through the water. The rest of the crew should take care of tactics, strategy and sail trim. If boat has more than 5-6 degrees of helm, call for sail trimming, crew weight movement, traveler eased, etc., to reduce rudder drag. When motoring, monitor oil pressure and temperature gauges. When sailing, stopped transmission should be in reverse. An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions!
MAIN TRIMMER Pre-race Setup: Untie mainsheets, play out on cockpit floor, ensure stopper knots in coarse and fine-tune sheets. Inspect all nuts, bolts, pins in traveler and mainsheet blocks. Ensure reefing lines are loose and properly led. Inspect hydraulic system, for levels, leaks, wear, breakage, etc. Set up pre-race hydraulics for light, medium or heavy air. Ease mainsheet during hoist; call halyard and cunningham tension. Starts: Know starting plan. Know current time. Know whether the helmsman wants speed (default) or stall at all times, and adjust sail shape and trim accordingly. Spinnaker Sets: Ease mainsheet and traveler out as boat rounds weather mark. Make note of any/all flags, shapes, etc., indicating change in course. Call for a preventer, if conditions warrant, when there s time. Lower backstay pressure to zero, while genoa halyard is being tensioned against hobble line; close valve and pump till backstay is firm. Generally main boom and spinnaker pole should be an extension of each other; as pole is brought back, boom should be eased out, and vice-versa. Ensure hotbox has loosened the outhaul, vang, cunningham, and he has lowered the main halyard, to your liking. Spinnaker Gybes: Call for preventer removal if needed. Take in much of the mainsheet before the gybe, but not enough to cause an accidental gybe. On the Gybe-ho! command, bring the main to center as the boat squares to the wind direction, (if wind is not too heavy). When you hear the bowman yell Made! ease the main out on the side of the boat opposite that of the pole. Ensure preventer is reset if needed. Warn crew of any accidental (or even planned) boom gybes.
Spinnaker Takedowns: Ensure hotbox has tightened the outhaul, vang, cunningham, and also has raised the main halyard, to your liking. Pre-set traveler for the new course. Increase backstay hydraulics for next leg. Sit on high side with mainsheet. Trim in mainsheet to head boat up to the new course, ignore the spinnaker takedown. Tacks: Lock low side traveler controls. Swing weight to new high-side after the Tacking! or Helm s-alee! command is given, (watching out for elbows). Re-adjust mainsheet controls for the new tack. Position weight to proper trimming position. Staysails: Trim in main as staysail closes up the slot and backwinds main. Reefing: Ease mainsheet up to reef point as the reef line is ground in. Keep leech from fluttering, re-apply sheet after reefing. Reach up and tighten new leech line on main. Unreefing: Pull mainsheet in as reefing line is eased, keeping sail in semi-trim. Allow main halyard to be raised totally before hardening the sheet. General: Keep leech firm without cupping it to weather as a brake (the top batten should be roughly parallel to the boom). Draft about midway aft. Leech of main should closely parallel leech of headsail. Don t normally bring boom up over centerline. Keep all telltales flying almost straight back. Upwind, balance amount of float behind mast with flying the leech telltales most of the time. When pulling on a line watch the other end of the line for desired effect, time your actions accordingly. Ease all hydraulics to at rest levels when boat reaches the dock.
An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions!
NAVIGATOR / SEWERMAN (usually also doing one of the other primary 8 crew positions) Pre-race Setup: Record mark headings (magnetic) on cockpit cabin board with red crayon. Agree on who can make log entries (restrict to no more than two people per watch), and the method for the entries. Mark the rhumbline on the chart, (in ink?). Turn on power to radio, GPS, instruments, (lights?). Warm up the GPS (entering in the correct route/waypoints). Setup VHF on race channel and monitor. Pump the bilge. Starts: Record start time. Record permanent log reading. Reset the trip log. Listen for our sail number being called over the line early on the radio race channel (per race program). Record the boats that started in our class, their sail numbers, and names. Make initial log entry and first point on chart as a fix. Post the watch schedule, keep backup copies handy. Post a listing of critical times for radio reportings of race progress, weather reports, mark rounding and finish reportings, etc. (Set alarms for these). Set watches (with hourly signals) to remind you of log entries. Set prop at start and after each battery charging? Ensure that only one battery is in use except for starting and charging. Spinnaker/Staysail Sets: Hand up proper sail. Log entry. Spinnaker Gybes: Log entry. Spinnaker Takedowns: Log entry.
Staysails: Know where it is and how it is marked. Retrieve the staysail on command, and pass to bowman through forward hatch if weather permits, else through the companionway to the mastman. When doused, receive bag by the same path, pack and stow. Mark Roundings: Record the boat ahead and the boat astern, names and sail numbers for the required races only: radio the rounding and finishing information to the race committee (Mackinac Race only), and keep a separate log of the rounding and finishing times of our class. Make a regular log entry, and record position on the chart as a fix. Finishes: Ensure that the mark rounding card is complete, signed and delivered to the race committee, along with anything else that is supposed to be turned in (lifeline numbers, flags, etc.). General: Record a log entry every hour (minimum), as well as every time that the boat tacks (long races or low visibility conditions), as well as every major change, (such as: large wind shifts, start of a storm, mayday call, etc.). A log entry should consist of: Time of entry, Position (either GPS lat/long or TDs, or fix, or dead reckoning), Average of last hours: compass heading (magnetic) Boat speed, True wind speed, Apparent wind direction, And any pertinent comments as to conditions, sail changes, noteworthy events, etc. Double check each entry for believe-ability; distance plotted in last hour agrees with log? Compass heading agrees with plot? Etc. When all power is gone three things will still function: Your compass, Your watch, And your brain! Find another well raced boat (close in speed) and use them as a guide for our strategy into marks and finishes.
Disconnect electrical equipment during any electrical storms. Remember to use the depth sounder as a navigation tool. Ensure engine is out of gear during battery charging. Clear knotmeter impeller from inside boat if knotmeter packs it in. An order from the skipper is followed immediately, no questions! Locate and check all safety gear: (post listing for rest of crew) First aid kit Harnesses Lifejackets Flares Raft, Man-overboard pole, light, and horseshoe bouys Emergency tiller Backup radio antenna Bolt cutters Emergency rudder board Tool boxes Bilge pumps, hoses, and handles, etc. Ensure a supply of: Sharp pencils Erasers Pencil sharpener Synchronized watches with the race committee Dividers, (2 pair?) Parallel rules Suitable flashlight Proper charts Lightlists Pre-formatted log sheets Several ball-point pens Note paper Tape The Race program (spares if possible) Mark rounding/finishing card (hide this!) Protest forms, and flag U.S.Y.R.U. Rules book International code flags chart Radio call letters GPS operators instructions
Mayfor decoder Frequencies of VHF weather stations Magnifying glass (es) Hand-bearing compass Binoculars Tide charts And a dry, secure place to store all of these! Sail Fast!