S/V PHOENIX (USA 51515)

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Positions

Crew Jobs

Organizing everyone and having the right person in the right place at the right time is critical to any successful endeavor. Racing is no different. There are a number of jobs that must be filled so that we can get the boat moving at its best speed. The jobs are listed below, followed by the specific tasks that occur for each evolution. There are some differences based on the type of downwind sail that we expect to fly (symmetrical or asymmetrical spinnaker).
  1. Bow
  2. Mast
  3. Pit
  4. Port Trimmer
  5. Starboard Trimmer
  6. Port Grinder
  7. Starboard Grinder
  8. Main Trimmer
  9. Tactician
  10. Helm
The steps that each person must take for each evolution are shown in the table below.

Remember that while we are trying to identify the many different tasks that everyone performs for the purposes of clarity, performing individual tasks without understanding all of the steps is counterproductive. It is very important to understand the elements of choreography and communication that are required for each individual to perform their allotted task in a way that has a crew performing as a team. This takes practice. The telling difference between a good crew and a poor one is not usually how many races they win but rather how well they can recover from an unexpected problem in a cohesive and efficient manner. On a big boat, an established chain of communication is paramount to success. Otherwise, chaos can and does very quickly reign. The people on the bow have lots to do and cannot hear discussions at the back of the boat, hence the relay.

  1. Bow
    Before Start
    1. Communicates with afterguard via mast man and vice versa
    2. Supervises spinnaker packing
    3. Preps spinnaker pole, if applicable
    4. Connects spinnaker lines
    5. Moves likely headsail choices amidships and checks they are properly packed
    6. Ensures all halyards are clear
    Pre-start Calls boats on downwind side and calls line at start
    Start Calls traffic and distance to line
    Upwind Leg
    1. Looks for wind/waves that may affect boatspeed
    2. Confirms with afterguard type of mark rounding, spinnaker choice and type of set desired
    3. Sets up spinnaker gear accordingly
    4. Connects spinnaker sheets/guys and halyard
    5. Informs afterguard "ready for hoist"
    6. Supervises spinnaker packing
    7. Preps spinnaker pole, if applicable
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Ensures pole is up
    2. Helps get spinnaker up
    3. Helps douse/furl genoa
    4. Disconnects tack and head rolls sail back and secures to lifeline, clears halyard/jib sheets over pole
    5. Communicates that bow is "Clear to Gybe"
    Downwind Leg
    1. Preps for jibe (symmetrical)/preps sheet (asymmetrical)
    2. Stops pole on swing, connects lazy guy, shouts "Made" and assists pole end up and out (symmetrical)/runs sheet aft (asymmetrical)
    3. Resets pole (symmetrical)
    4. Connects lazy guy (symmetrical)/runs sheet aft (asymmetrical)
    5. Resets pole (symmetrical)
    6. Confirms with the afterguard the type/nature of takedown and type of headsail required
    7. Connects genoa sheets and halyard, prefeeds genoa
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Preps for takedown
    2. Sets genoa
    3. Controls spinnaker takedown
    4. Cleans up gear and preps for reset
  2. Mast
    Start Calls boats on downwind side
    Upwind Leg
    1. Acts as communication relay to/from Pit
    2. Pack spinnaker
    3. Looks for wind/waves
    4. Looks for other boats, particularly when on port tack
    5. Helps set up butt end of pole and rig spinnaker
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Jump spinnaker halyard
    Downwind Leg
    1. Preps for jibe. Butt end up to Gybe mark on mast
    2. On the command "TRIP," trips outboard pole end
    3. Stands by in case pole end requires tripping again
    4. Once "made," resets pole butt (symmetrical)
    5. Stands by to make any pole butt end adjustments.
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Helps get required headsail. Set up original headsail or put old sail below new one on deck.
    2. Bend on new sheets for genoa ensuring they are clear of spinnaker gear in prep for hoist
    3. Jump genoa halyard
    4. Pull spinnaker down into fwd cabin
    5. Help clear running gear, twists and repack
  3. Pit
    Pre-start Works with bowman to ensure all halyards are clear.
    Start Watches committee boat and starts countdown timer.
    Upwind Leg
    1. Communicates afterguard decisions specifically to mast man and serves as relay from foredeck to afterguard
    2. Tensions halyards
    3. Adjusts cunningham
    4. Adjusts outhaul
    5. Releases topping lift and foreguy (downhaul)
    6. Raises pole on command from bowman
    7. Adjusts runners for each tack
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Eases cunningham
    2. Eases outhaul
    3. Lowers genoa
    4. Tails spinnaker halyard and raises last few feet
    5. Eases main halyard
    Downwind Leg
    1. Preps for jibe
    2. Enlists external help with the foreguy in the gybe (usually grinder on lazy guy)
    3. Awaits pole back and "Trip" command
    4. Ensures pole end drops and releases from live guy. Lowers outboard pole end rapidly using topping lift. The swing through the "J" is initiated by pulling on the foreguy.
    5. Raises pole rapidly using topping lift. Bow assist while ensuring the foreguy is released for the hoist (symmetrical)
    6. Confirms pole end setting with spin trimmer and snugs down foreguy.
    7. Ensures spinnaker halyard is clear for drop
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Tension cunningham
    2. Tension main halyard
    3. Tension outhaul
    4. Tails genoa halyard and raises last few feet and tensions
    5. Lowers spinnaker
    6. Lowers pole (symmetrical) ensuring it doesn't drop on any foredeck crew or foul pulpit/lifelines.
    7. Set runner
    8. Stand by to reset spin halyard once released by mast or bowman
  4. Port Trimmer
    Start Works with port grinder to ensure genoa is trimmed for maximum power or speed.
    Upwind Leg
    1. Fine tunes sail trim on starboard tack ensuring boat speed matches or is close to given polars for point of sail using halyard tension/genoa car position and sheet tension
    2. Provides feedback to helm about boat speed and pressure.
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Loads up port spinnaker sheet and guy
    2. Trim spinnaker sheet when spinnaker is set
    Downwind Leg
    1. Controls spinnaker trim on starboard tack
    2. Looks for wind on port tack
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Preps for takedown
    2. Rig genoa sheet
    3. Assist with spinnaker takedown
    4. Cleans up gear and preps for reset
  5. Starboard Trimmer
    Start Works with starboard grinder to ensure genoa is trimmed for maximum power or speed.
    Upwind Leg
    1. Fine tunes sail trim on starboard tack ensuring boat speed matches or is close to given polars for point of sail using halyard tension/genoa car position and sheet tension
    2. Provides feedback to helm about boat speed and pressure.
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Loads up starboard spinnaker sheet and guy
    2. Trim spinnaker sheet when spinnaker is set
    Downwind Leg
    1. Controls spinnaker trim on port tack
    2. Looks for wind on starboard tack
    3. Prep genoa sheet approaching leeward mark
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Preps for takedown
    2. Control genoa trip
    3. Clear and rerun starboard spinnaker sheets
    4. Cleans up gear and preps for reset
  6. Port Grinder
    Start Grinds port winch in cooperation with port trimmer
    Upwind Leg
    1. Looks for port tack boats under genoa
    2. Grinds genoa sheet
    3. Adjusts genoa cars for best sail shape
    4. Looks for wind
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Calls distance to mark
    2. Eases genoa sheet to avoid stalling main
    3. Helps get spinnaker up
    4. Helps douse/furl genoa
    Downwind Leg
    1. Trim pole in concert with Starboard Trimmer
    2. Keeps lazy sheet adjusted properly while on port tack (symmetrical)
    3. Keeps sheet trimmed while on starboard tack (symmetrical)
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Preps for takedown
    2. Cleans up gear and preps for reset
  7. Starboard Grinder
    Start Grinds starboard winch in cooperation with starboard trimmer
    Upwind Leg
    1. Looks for starboard tack boats under genoa
    2. Grinds genoa sheet
    3. Adjusts genoa cars for best sail shape
    4. Looks for wind
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Assists as required
    Downwind Leg
    1. Trim pole in concert with Port Trimmer
    2. Keeps lazy sheet adjusted properly while on starboard tack (symmetrical)
    3. Keeps sheet trimmed while on port tack (symmetrical)
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Preps for takedown
    2. Sets genoa and helps trimmer keep best air flow over genoa
    3. Cleans up gear and preps for reset
  8. Main Trimmer
    Start Keeps main driving
    Upwind Leg
    1. Communicates with headsail trimmers and helm to achieve best trim for point of sail
    2. Directs Pit to adjust outhaul and cunningham
    3. Adjusts vang and backstay tension
    4. Adjust leach and twist based on wind/helm
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Eases main quickly to get boat to turn
    2. Eases vang tension based on wind
    3. Eases backstay tension
    Downwind Leg
    1. Centers main for jibe
    2. Maintains maximum drive in main
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Ensures main halyard tension and cunningham/outhaul back on
    2. Tensions vang
    3. Tensions backstay
    4. Trims main in to keep maximum way on
  9. Tactician
    Pre-start In pre-race forum, outlines strategies for race, possible courses and the special crew work that may be required. Makes sure everyone knows what job they have and the understanding of what their job requires, identifies any potential conflicts/weaknesses, and changes crew assignments, if required. Tracks time and positions boat at favored end of the line. Has the crew focused on performing smooth maneuvers and maintaining boat speed.
    Start
    1. Identifies threats to start line advantage
    2. Finds best lane
    Upwind Leg
    1. Maintains best lane
    2. Keeps trimmers focused on getting best speed for conditions
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Calls tack on layline allowing for current
    2. Calls spinnaker hoist once bow confirms they are ready
    Downwind Leg
    1. Identify optimum gybe angles
    2. Call jibe
    3. Position boat for maximum advantage at leeward mark
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Calls takedown type
    2. Calls headsail choice
    3. Confirms with mastman and bowman
  10. Helm
    Start Keeps boat from fouling other boats
    Upwind Leg
    1. Talks to main and genoa trimmers about boat speed and helm
    2. Maintains maximum speed through tacks
    Windward Mark Rounding
    1. Protect inside of mark
    2. Round close
    3. Steer smoothly
    Downwind Leg
    1. Talks to main and spinnaker trimmers about pressure
    2. Confers with tactician about downwind strategy
    3. Focuses on optimum boat speed
    4. Calls distance to jibe
    Leeward Mark Rounding
    1. Calls distance to mark
    2. Protect inside of mark
    3. Round close

We will try to hold a post race forum involving all crew to review the race and point out things that went well and identify ways to improve things that didn't. The objective is not to pick out people that didn't do the right thing, but focus on solutions that preempt those problems in the future. We are all human and sometimes make mistakes. These forums are a great way to identify better ways to do some thing and get all crew members thinking, contributing and growing as a team.