The Skipper’s Ten Commandments

by Bernie Weiss, SailJazz.com/Sail-World Cruising on 7 Aug 2007 Bernie Weiss, writing for SailJazz.com has come up with a version of the Ten Commandments for the west coast of the USA that apply anywhere in the world people get together and want to enjoy an afternoon of sailing, in the form of a 'fun race'.

Here's what he says:

Family racing, club racing, twilight racing, around-the buoys, beer-can racing, whatever you call it, is gaining in popularity.

In recent summers, from the Gulf of Maine to San Diego Harbor, semi-protected waters seemed to have filled up with racing fleets that tend to involve young people, families, and even old-timers who are 'done' with the competitive racing circuit. This is truly low-key 'fun' racing.

Caution: Club racing should not be confused with one-design competition, which remains greatly -- even fiercely -- competitive. It's not overnight racing or distance racing (Newport to Ensenada, Marion to Bermuda), which seems to be growing in intensity. Lastly, it's not the high-profile hotly competitive regional racing events, such as Block Island Race Week and the Big Boat Series in San Francisco Bay. What I am describing is the growing participation in around-the-buoys club racing, frequented by unrated yachts with novice skippers participating as guests in PHRF events. Such racing is great family fun, win or lose. The races are short, they are highly social events, and there's little at stake in terms of trophies and ego.

Such racing, however, is not without its dark side. The rewards are accompanied by some risks, and because this must be acknowledged, there are some important 'rules' or 'commandments' -- sometimes described as 'Ten Commandments for Skippers' -- that pertain to this activity.

Here's my take on that subject:

1. Thou shalt have fun. If you can only remember one Commandment at a time, this is the one. No racing instructions? Follow the fleet. Missed the first gun? You'll get the next one. Over early? No big deal.

Even this crew allows the wanna-be Captain Ron on board for some fun!

2. Thou shalt bring thy spouse, kids, friends and whoever else wants to come along. Twilight races are great forums for introducing new folks to sailing, such as your neighbors, out-of-town visitors, co-workers or maybe even the family dog. Get everyone involved.

3. Thou must take personal safety seriously. You're in the dark. You're working on a small, heaving platform. There are other boats moving unpredictably all around you. Add some rain, maybe a cold or gusty wind . . . it's a potential recipe for disaster. In all matters, be prudent and sensible.

4. Thou shalt study up on the current racing rules and honor them. At least, honor the biggies (port tack boats shall avoid starboard ones; windward boats shall avoid leeward ones; and outside boats shall give room at the mark).

5. Thou shalt not covet thy competitor's boat, sails, equipment, crew, or PHRF rating. No excuses or whining; if you're lucky enough to have a sailboat, just go use it! You don't need the latest in Technora, Spectra, or PBO/Zylon to have a great time out on the water with your friends.

6. Thou shalt not amp out. No screaming, swearing, or overly aggressive tactics: save that stuff for the office or better yet, for next weekend's real race. If you blow your cool during a Tuesday nighter, you're going to run out of crew -- not to mention friends -- in a big hurry.

7. Thou shalt not protest thy neighbor; thou shalt be courteous. Protesting is extremely tacky at this level of competition and should be avoided at all costs. Alternatively, if you committed the foul, apologize and withdraw. In addition, a word of apology at the Club bar is useful in making amends. 'They' say that yachting is a sport of ladies and gentlemen. Prove it.

8. Thou shalt not mess up thy boat. Everybody knows some hardcore weekend warrior who blew out his new light A-sail in a Wednesday night tune-up. Is it worth risking your boat and gear in casual competition? Probably not, but if in doubt, refer to Commandment No. 1.

'My personal policy is to avoid bar beverages until the boat is back in her berth or on the hook -- at least, until after the race.'

9. Thou shalt be generous with snacks and beverages. When the wind dies, your crew will remind you that they skipped dinner in their rush to the boat. Now's the time to acknowledge their nutritional deficits with chips, pretzels, and nuts -- accompanied by a generous supply of soda, water, Gatorade, and other non-alcoholic drinks. This will also encourage the crew to be patient while awaiting the wind's return. Some boats seem to be fueled by beer ('brewskis,' 'chill pills,' 'thought cylinders'). However, my personal policy is to avoid bar beverages until the boat is back in her berth or on the hook -- at least, until after the race.

10. Thou shalt always go to the yacht club (pizza parlor, hamburger joint) after the race. As the results are announced, etiquette demands that you congratulate the winners, thank the Race Committee, and buy a round of drinks for your crew. Besides, as the winners gloat over their victories and the losers explain why they lost, what better setting to quietly absorb new guidance on how to improve your own performance! As Yogi Berra put it, 'You can observe a lot by watching.'

Captain Bernie Weiss has raced with the Breakwater Irregulars, the Halloween Yacht Club, and other twilight fleets in Long Island Sound. He is a delivery skipper with Atlantic Yacht Delivery http://www.atlanticyachtdelivery.com/.