Fourbees
regular
Reged: 28/09/2007
Posts: 95
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They say that a boat can only have one skipper, but mine is co-owned and co-skippered by SWMBO, whose experience etc. is the same as mine... so we have developed the Skipper of the Day system. On each sailing day, one of us is designated Skipper of the Day (SoD) and the other is Mate/Scurvy Crew/Mutinous Dog depending on how much he/she annoys the SoD. Skipper of the Day is responsible for passage planning, navigation, pilotage etc. and takes the helm for all berthing/unberthing/anchoring and other manoeuvres. The next day we change over, so the previous mate becomes the SoD. It works for us, but I am curious as to whether any other forumites have adopted this approach, or indeed, a better one?
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Stingo
regular
Reged: 17/10/2001
Posts: 6707
Loc: sailing the seven seas.
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I was once stupid enough to refer to SWMBO as the First Maid. Alas, I am now single.
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Cruising and Sailing Wiki By Cruisers
Anecdotes From Stingo
Thank You Madiba (Nelson Mandela)
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Beadle
regular
Reged: 20/08/2007
Posts: 2255
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We have a rather different system.
I am always skipper, but SWMBO always decides where to go, how to get there, where to park, when to reef, which side to pass buoys etc.
This is complicated by the fact she is directionally dyslexic. I have long since given up on turn left, turn right. I just say turn and then if necessary add no sorry I meant t'other way. This means of course that when she goes the wrong way its my fault.
In fact, if anything goes wrong it is always entirely my fault.
She seems happy with the system.
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If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
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Fourbees
regular
Reged: 28/09/2007
Posts: 95
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I sympathise entirely: part of being a husband is that it is your fault...
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MarkJohnson12345
regular
Reged: 23/12/2004
Posts: 859
Loc: Wales UK
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I am always skipper, but duties include cooking making the tea etc.
I have likened sailing with modom to single handed with one arm tied behind my back.
Luckily, if the going gets tough, she retires to her bunk, and I can get on with the biz. But still have make tea etc.
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Mark Johnson
www.markjohnsonafloat.org.uk
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Flipper_K6354
regular
Reged: 20/09/2001
Posts: 1783
Loc: Boat in Brightlingsea, Essex. ...
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So long as there is no confusion as to who is 'in charge' there is no reason it shouldn't work. What happens if you sail overnight - when is the 'handover'
In my late teens I used to Group Lead 3 sonatas about the Solent and each person took a turn at skippering but I retained overall responsibility for the group.
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phanakapan
regular
Reged: 26/03/2002
Posts: 683
Loc: Brighton
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We do exactly the same thing as you do- have done right from the start. The only time we didn't designate a SOD, was when pootling down under motor from Northney marina to Sparkes marina in Chichester harbour-we went aground because each thought the other one had checked the route!
However, last year we did a series of 2-3 day longer hops from Northern Ireland to Brighton, and SOD didn't seem quite so appropriate; I tended to do passage planning, then we had a watch system and whoever was officially on watch was in charge, navigated, made sail change/ ship avoidance decisions etc even if the other person was awake. We took turns at mooring/unmooring- but ended up having many 'discussions' over course changes, mooring techniques etc. Also, although we both want to develop our sailing skills equally, and want the practice, there are some occasions when its more sensible for- say- me to be on the helm and him to step ashore with the lines (I'm better at parking and he's stronger with longer legs).
All in all, I think Skipper of the day is a better system than 'let's both discuss/argue/dither about this'- which could be potential dangerous in an emergency; and as skipper you can still allocate the best man or woman for the job, according to their strengths. However,my man disagrees, and wants to persue a more egalitarian approach.
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Searush
regular
Reged: 14/10/2006
Posts: 4451
Loc: k up if caught.
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I'm Skipper (and bill payer) rest of family are passengers that will help from time to time if asked nicely & given clear instructions. They enjoy holidays on the boat and kindly share housekeeping for me, but no-one has shown the least interest in passage planning/ navigation etc - other than "Why don't we go to ******** today?" I generally try to oblige unless conditions prevent it. Works well enough for us.
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Fourbees
regular
Reged: 28/09/2007
Posts: 95
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With an overnighter we tend to let the Skipper of the Day complete the passage (i.e. two days) in charge, for example when on a long Channel crossing, and then we designate the other one as skipper for the corresponding return passage.
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Fourbees
regular
Reged: 28/09/2007
Posts: 95
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That's interesting - our main reason for the SOD system is to develop our skills equally, like you, but we have not yet done a passage with more than one overnight in it. When we do, we'll have to rethink the system. On the "each to own strengths" issue, I have taken over the engine checks after SWMBO, as SOD, left the lid of the water strainer cross threaded one day, which stopped the coolant running - and I only discovered what had happened after dismantling the impeller! I do engine checks only on the understanding, of course, that she COULD do them if she wanted to... I sometimes have to do some anchor-wrestling when she's crew, too.
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