My partner and I are learning to sail together. We're (almost) starting from the same position in terms of experience and we have slightly different strengths and interests which - I think - will serve us well as a team on board.
But how do you chose a skipper?
By skills?
The person who can fix the engine in an emergency or the one with the weather sense? The most competent navigator (using charts and chart plotter)? The one who consistently positions sails to maximum effect?
By experience?
Who has more "sea time"? What was the nature of the sea time - pleasure or work?
By attributes?
Like caution? Decisiveness? Stamina? Physical strength?
By gender?
Well, there are only two, so I guess I don't need to make this explanation any longer.
By default?
What if the other can't take direction without quibbling? Do you just make them skipper to save time?
In part, this is a larger question about determining and defining roles on a boat. I know there have to be defined roles (my father was a Coast Gaurd Captain). But when you're essentially starting from scratch - like we are - how do you determine how those roles are allocated? Particularly the role of skipper?
Interested to see what everyone has to say.
Thanks in advance for your comments!
But how do you chose a skipper?
By skills?
The person who can fix the engine in an emergency or the one with the weather sense? The most competent navigator (using charts and chart plotter)? The one who consistently positions sails to maximum effect?
By experience?
Who has more "sea time"? What was the nature of the sea time - pleasure or work?
By attributes?
Like caution? Decisiveness? Stamina? Physical strength?
By gender?
Well, there are only two, so I guess I don't need to make this explanation any longer.
By default?
What if the other can't take direction without quibbling? Do you just make them skipper to save time?
In part, this is a larger question about determining and defining roles on a boat. I know there have to be defined roles (my father was a Coast Gaurd Captain). But when you're essentially starting from scratch - like we are - how do you determine how those roles are allocated? Particularly the role of skipper?
Interested to see what everyone has to say.
Thanks in advance for your comments!