On Being A Crew Member – Part One: Introduction

Most see a crew job in two extremes. At one end, the crew is on a boat that includes food, drink, sun, skimpy swimsuits (by both genders), and few sail changes or trimming duties.
The opposite tack is the crew position which is accompanied by an indentured servant agreement, regular keel-haulings (i.e., in the water scrubbing the bottom), and a requirement that you pay to eat on the boat.
All of you have seen these positions and some of you may have been involved in both types. The reality is usually in between. There are strategies to ensure the pass possible experience for any crew position.  The purpose of this series of articles is to pass on some knowledge and experience you need to become a successful crew. The articles are divided into the “Three L’s”.  They are: Learn the boat, Learn the environment, Learn the rules. Each will be discussed in subsequent installments.
To begin with, a few definitions are in order.
Captain – Simply put, this is the person who pays the bills.  These include boat expenses – mooring, travel, repairs, etc. The Captain will also cover race entry fees and distribute the race goodies, such as T-shirts, free drinks, and the tickets to the après race parties. Be nice to this person!
Skipper – The skipper is the person driving the boat; he/she may not be the Captain.  Sometimes this position is regarded as the easiest job on the boat.  Anyone can follow instructions, such as “push away,” and “pull toward you”. There can be real confusion if the skipper follows all of the instructions or suggestions at once.  As a further example of its simplicity, this job often results in a limited vocabulary for the duration of the races. (Note: Editorial restraint will not permit us to print any of that limited vocabulary in the Foghorn.)
Crew – the person who does all the other jobs on the boat and is the reason why the boat moves around the race course. The crew is often regarded as live weight to be moved from side to side.
A crew position is a unique opportunity to learn about boats and to develop boating skills.  Start with a proper attitude. Recognize that another person is often contributing the equipment, the opportunity to be on the water, and is paying some of the bills. The relationship will benefit both parties, but know that the experience and skills of the crew will eventually be applied to a future dream.
Follow the articles to see how this can be accomplished. Next time: Learn the boat.
Buddy McDowell, March 1989 Foghorn