Pic unrelated.

I will be participating in my first overnight race as crew this weekend. I’ve been told there won’t be any cooking, so bring snacks. We do have a fridge. I am wondering what would be some good snacks to bring. Weather looks dry, but up here that can be an hour by hour basis. I am wondering if anyone has any advice, tips, or just general knowledge they would like to impart. I am very nervous. New boat, new crew just to make it extra fun. I think I have the basic gear down, all my typical sailing trip stuff + headlamp and tether for nighttime.

  • SisyphusIsHappy@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    I guess I didn’t do a very good job explaining my hesitancy? I’ve been sailing for the past 4 years only. I’ve bounced around a few boats trying to learn more and each time it always seemed like such a steep learning curve and I never really understood what was going on. This past year I feel like I’ve actually started to understand everything. The only issue is my current boat doesn’t use spinnaker pole and instead we use an asym. Typically I run the foredeck on that boat but unfortunately it means when it comes to symmetric spinnakers and poles I feel like im going to be just as clueless as day one. I told the skipper as much, and the other 4 crew are heavily experienced, so I’m sure I will learn I just feel like for 24 hours im going to be like a deer in headlights.

    Today is my last day to prep, ferry is at 7am tomorrow!

    • ghost_towels@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      That is all totally fair! There’s a great saying that you can learn to sail in 10 mins but takes a lifetime to master. Absolutely true. I felt the same way when I first started racing, and when it does start to make sense… thats a great feeling. I’m still learning new things after 25 years!

      I scoped out your boat to see what the foredeck is like and you’ll be dip pole-ing the spin. I unfortunately don’t have a lot of experience with that, all my foredeck time was with an end for end pole. The good thing for you is that your downwind leg looks to be light air, so things can go nice and slow. My skipper loved to bring people that had never raced before with us, so one thing I got in the habit of doing was going through the steps out loud with everyone before any major event. Then everyone knew what their task was and where to be. Might be a good idea for you guys, especially as you’re short handed. Also, watch some videos tonight and on the ferry! Lots of good info online and while every boat is a bit different the mechanics will be the same. Asym’s will seem so nice and simple after this!

      • SisyphusIsHappy@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        Yes. And when I say “started to understand everything” I mean a very small percentage of stuff that goes into sailing well. But enough to start to know what to look for on trimming, hoisting and dousing, the basics. oh and traffic, right of way, trying to read the water. :) I like your idea about saying aloud what’s going to happen. We get new people on our boat and when one of them is in foredeck (its a 38’ Tartan) I always have them first listen to what’s going to happen and what you’ll be doing, what I’ll be doing, and what everything should look like.

        There is a certain amount of ego I’ve seen from a few experienced people where they just expect everything to be known by everyone without talking, and get frustrated when you ask questions. I’ve left those boats behind for that exact reason. If all the Canucks are as nice as you are, then the boat will be a breeze (half the crew is coming from Vancouver!) Good call about the videos. I’ll get on that. Thanks again for all the info. I do actually feel better about the race!

        • ghost_towels@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          0·
          2 months ago

          Uuuugh, the ego. I refuse to sail with people that yell or treat newbies like crap. Life is too short for that nonsense! Good on ya for moving on. Eventually you’ll click with a crew/boat/skipper and boom, 15 years later you’re still with them. I can’t vouch for every Canuck but I hope they’re good folk joining you. And also awww, it’s not everyday I get to gush about one of my favourite races to someone, thanks for being receptive.

          Funny side note, this whole convo got me thinking so I texted my old skipper to wish him luck this weekend and turns out he’s got a new boat and I happen to be in town next week so I’m going to do wed night racing with him! So thank you!