Sing Out!

I’ve not given much space to the discussion of tactics but heading into the weekend, I thought I'd break this trend by pointing you to an excellent article in Sailing World about calling puffs (both upwind and downwind). Though being able to read and estimate the impact of wind on the water is key, the larger point here is around communication. I was always taught to "sing out" and to this day I reflexively do so - a characteristic that sometimes gets me a funny look or two when I'm crewing as a guest aboard a new boat. If I'm trimming (as it seems I often am) and the helmsman calls a course correction I might say "Boat coming down, easing jib sheet." If we're downwind and someone amidships calls out the chute is collapsing I usually belt out "trim on." Not exactly rocket science but I tend to make myself heard, no yelling, just enthusiastic communication. Interestingly, despite the occasional strange look I've had people let me how much they appreciated this...not holding myself up as a model crew member per se...but whether its calling puffs or trim or the position of boats to leeward SING OUT people. The boats I've been on that consistently win have crew that chatter constantly about every aspect of the boat and the course. Have a great weekend & fair winds.