Hiya all - I just subscribed. I'm an italian sailor, 51, and am a newcomer to the F18 world (I just purchased a 2004 NACRA F18). I have a first
fundamental
question: could you expert F18ers out there tell me what are the exact duties and roles for each of the two crew aboard? I haven't been able to find any such info on the web. Thanks in advance and fair winds!
fundamental
question: could you expert F18ers out there tell me what are the exact duties and roles for each of the two crew aboard? I haven't been able to find any such info on the web. Thanks in advance and fair winds!
There are no defined roles other than the skipper (the guy with the tiller) drives the boat.
The crew then takes on as many of the other responsabilities as they can reasonably handle. Some crew do everything, and some are just ballast.
Good luck with your new ride.
M
Hi Pippo,
There are many things determine crew/skipper duties, weight, strenght, skills of both parties and sailing conditions.
Most of the top teams the skipper steers the boat,initialy trims the main sail, jibes and tacks the boat and the crew does the rest.Takticks well ill leave that to you!
This will change a little in light wind when the crew may be playing ballast and therefore not be able to hold the main sheet.
Saying this the Sachs brothere from Germany, F18 World Cahampions in 2005 i think, The skipper holds the main, but bear in mind these guys are ex olympic tornado sailers and sail for a living.
here we go (this is only a guide to what most of us do)
Light wind
Start
Skipper main
Crew traveller, jib and boat balance(get that hull out of the water)
beat
If crew is having to move around to balance boat, skipper to control main sheet
top mark and reach
Skipper ease main sheet and ease traveler (approx 4 inch), steer
Crew, ease jib,tack line, board up (if light ind then no need to rotate mast or ease Vang)hoist spinnaker, trim then balance boat
bottom mark
Skipper - main and traveler board down and balance boat(maybe trapezeing required)
Crew - Retrieve spinnaker, board down, jib in, balance boat
Strong wind
Start/ beat,
crew main, mast rotation, down haul, trim jib
skipper traveller
Both trapeze
Tacking,
Crew hands main to skipper
top mark,
crew to hand main to skipper
crew deploy tack line,ease jib, raise board, mast rotation, ease vang and hosit kite, trim and balance boat.
skipper ease traveler, ease main, cleat main, use traveler to depower, steer
duties as light wind bottom mark
plus crew, mast rotator and vang.
Please dont take this as the be all, you will have to try with you crew and see.
Enjoy the boat!