I 36 Crew Task Assignments

The following crew assignment descriptions are a good starting place for understanding both the individual responsibilities of the typical positions when racing an Islander, and the important interrelationships among the crew responsibilities.

There are many variables that go into assigning and developing how each position is managed. Each boat is likely to follow something slightly different that what follows. For example, on some boats the primary winches are at the forward end of the cockpit, while on others they are aft. On some boats the halyards, mainsail control and reefing lines, and spinnaker pole control lines are led back to the cockpit, while on other boats they are at the mast.

What is important is that you become a team that conducts each maneuver smoothly in a way that maximizes the speed of the boat. It will also mean that each maneuver is done safely under all conditions. Many people who try racing, even if they decide they don't want to compete on a regular basis, learn a great deal about how to handle their boat well at all times.

It is suggested that you use the same set of crew members as much as possible. Keep people in the same positions until they have learned their duties well and function as a team. It is very helpful, particularly on practice sails, to occasionally rotate a cockpit person to one of the forward positions, and the mast or foredeck person back to the cockpit. This will give them a better understanding of the inter-dependencies they have with other positions.

And remember, it is often said that the toughest adjustment on the boat is the nut on the end of the tiller. The timing and handling of the helm is critical to every maneuver.

So enjoy reading these duties, and be sure to discuss your questions with your crew, coaches, and friends.

The key positions are:

1. Helm
2. Main/Tactician
3. Trimmer
4. Sheet tailer/Pit
5. Mast/Floater
6. Foredeck

Helm
A) Before the Start: Steer the boat.
                              Discussions with the tactician.
                              Call for trim.
                              Position the boat on the line, at full speed, in the desired area and direction, on time.

B) After the Start: Steer the boat, concentrating on boat speed, and direction, (VMG.) using input from wind, water, heel angle, instruments, tactician, etc.

Provide useful feedback about "feel", etc. (Not: I new we should not have done that…)


Main/Tactician

Responsible for providing strategic as well as tactical input to Helm keeping his "head out of the boat", generally overseeing the crew work, coordinate disaster recovery activities, (i.e.: 360’s, gear failure, wrong mark, etc.). Trim the main sail with mainsheet and traveler, call for proper Cunningham, vang and outhaul settings. (Use input from speed, heel, "feel", etc.) Direct reefing if needed. Should be able to help other crew functions, if the need arises. Keep the helm informed with useful, pertinent information. (Not: everybody else is faster…)

 

Trimmer (or Port Primary)

A) Before the Start: Work the port jib sheet winch as grinder, insure that the sheet is wrapped correctly on the winch and has a winch handle, work the starboard sheet as tailer.

B) After the Start, upwind: Call for jib halyard tension, lead position, and trim the jib according to the wind, sea, or tactical conditions . Get on the rail. Before a tack insure the windward sheet is wrapped correctly on the winch and has a winch handle, release jib sheet during tacks, grind new side. Trim the jib. Get on the rail.

C) Weather mark: Ease the jib sheet according to course steered.
If available switch to outboard sheets.

D) Down wind: Trim jib to course steered.

E) Leeward mark: Switch back to inboard sheets. Grind leeward winch, proceed as in B.

Sheet tailer/Pit (or Starboard Primary)

A) Before the Start: Work starboard jib sheet winch as grinder, insure that the sheet is wrapped correctly on the winch and has a winch handle, work the port sheet as tailer. Adjust Cunningham, outhaul as required. (If on cabin top.) On final tack, (probably starboard) get on the rail.

B) After the Start, upwind: Hike, hike, hike, call puffs and provide other useful inputs to tactician. (not "we should be over there".) During a tack 3^rd off the rail, pick up sheet at the winch and tail it to the high side, keep tailing until the trimmer signals he/she has it. Release the death grip on the sheet and hike, hike, hike, call puffs, etc.

C) Weather mark: Hook up outboard sheets if available.

D) Down wind: Adjust toping lift to premarked spot or as required.
Adjust foreguy.
Release Cunningham, outhaul as required. (If on cabin top.)
Grind for trimmer. (Adjust foreguy)

E) Leeward mark: Adjust Cunningham, outhaul as required. (If on cabin top.)
Release toping lift (carefully)
Clean up.
Pick up sheet at the winch and tail it to the high side, proceed as in B.


Mast/Floater
A) Before the Start: Adjust main or jib halyard as needed
Adjust Cunningham, outhaul as required. (if at the mast).
Adjust vang as needed.
Adjust jib leads as needed
Tend lazy sheets for free running
Look out for obstructions.
On final tack, (probably starboard) get on the rail.

B) After the Start, upwind: Hike, Hike, Hike
Call puffs, shifts and range information.
Provide useful inputs to tactician. ( not: Look at that blown spinnaker over there)
Tend lazy sheets for free running during tacks.
Adjust main or jib halyard as needed
Adjust Cunningham, outhaul as required. (if at the mast).
Adjust vang as needed.
Adjust jib leads as needed
Tend lazy sheets for free running

C) Weather mark: Raise spinnaker pole butt, or attach whisker pole to mast.
Stand by to help foredeck

D) Down wind: Adjust vang.
Release Cunningham, outhaul as required. (if at the mast).
Ease halyards if required.
Tend spinnaker pole butt position or whisker pole for max speed and during jibes.
Trip outboard end of spinnaker pole for jibes.
Face aft and report puffs and position changes of competitors.

E) Leeward mark: Reset halyards.
Adjust Cunningham, outhaul as required. (if at the mast).
Adjust jib leads as needed
Adjust vang as needed.
Remove outboard jib sheet. (lazy)
Tend spinnaker pole butt position, trip outboard end or prepare whisker pole for take down.
Assist foredeck if needed.
Get on the high side and Hike, Hike, Hike
Proceed as in B.

Foredeck (combine with Mast if short-handed)

A) Before the Start: Get correct timing info for start.
Site line for background reference
As bow lookout, provide information of obstructions (hail) and distance to starting line (hand signals).

B) After the Start, upwind: Hike, Hike, Hike
Call puffs, shifts and range information.
Provide useful inputs to tactician. (not: I met this girl/guy last knight, and…)

C) Weather mark: Free topping lift, help raise outboard end of pole and hook up windward, outboard jib sheet to pole.

D) Down wind: Place new windward jib sheet in pole end during jibes and help squaring the pole.

E) Leeward mark: Stow the pole.
Secure topping lift.
Remove other outboard jib sheet.
Insure clear foredeck for upwind and tacking.
Get on the high side and Hike, Hike, Hike.
Proceed as in B.