What makes good seamanship?

[goldingds]

1. What do you see or do that makes you think, "that's great seamanship."

2. What do you see or do that makes you think, "that's poor seamanship."

[Giulietta]

treat other as you would like to be treated....until they come to close!!

My motto: If it is faster or heavier and is coming towards me... full priority!!!

[Cruisingdad]

I don't think good seamanship is being the best. I don't think it is something learned over a long period of time or growing up on the water. In my opinion, it is trying to be conscious of others and what you are doing and its effects. Use your head and learn from your mistakes. Good seamanship can come from a beginner with his first time on the boat and never be found by an old salt that has been sailing all his life. It is a frame of mind, like a string of dominos, of how what you do effects everyone around you. Keep learning and keep trying.

Just my opinion.

[ThunderFog]

judgement! Good or Bad depending on if you are describing a good seamanship or poor.

[nolatom]

Mostly I think it's the experience, insight, and foresight to recognize the "point of no return" is in any maneuver or situation, and take action before that point. Whether it's a lee shore, an approaching vessel, an approach to port, when to shorten sail, whether or not to jibe, when to get a fix befoe the visibility worsens, any number of things, If you think and sail that way, it seems relatively easy; if you don't, it can be a succession of minor to major crises which you didn't see coming until they were upon you.

I know this is a very general answer, but it's a really general question.

[sailortjk1]

If you ask me it's easier to define poor seamanship.
Those are the guys you see all the time, you know, the basic jerk on the water.

Good seamanship is being courteous to others and getting everybody home safe. (another very generalized response)

[Faster]

Along the same line as nolatom... It really comes down to decision-making. Deciding when to leave, when to come back, when to reef, when to quit etc. - and having these decisions consistently result in positive outcomes, to me, is a sign if good seamanship.
Less than positive outcomes indicates a lack of seamanship.

This extends, too, to decisions made in boat selection, subsequent usage, equipment selected and installed, properly utilized and so on.

[sailingdog]

Also, checking the gear, inspecting the rigging, neatening up the lines, and a lot of little things are signs of good seamanship. Poor seamanship is often far easier to spot...

[k1vsk]

"A superior sailor is one who uses superior judgment to avoid having to use superior skills."


don't know to whom this quote should be attributed but he/she's got it right!

[sailaway21]

Also along the lines of nolatom: The seven P's. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. With thanks to Captain Robert Meurn, USMS.