I've generally found that only one command is really, needed, and I might say "helms alee" for variety! Anything so that the guy on the winch, with his back to me, knows we're starting to turn, right now, and not just adjusting course. Or I might say "here we go" or "tacking" or jibing. Something.

As for the rest of the commands, if we sail together a lot there isn't much else to say, other than "I think we should tack in a few minutes" and "ready?" They know the procedure through the tack and accelerating afterwords. As the helmsman, if I spot something hanging up that they havn't seen, I'll say something and adjust the turn as needed. If I have a newby I will have explained the procedure and checked that the winches were properly prepared and the lines flaked.

Basically, good tacks are EASIER than bad tacks.

 

I am a little agnostic on this. When I am teaching new sailors I explain origins and meanings of the terms and use the terms. But I lose no sleep if the correct terms are used or not used. Some of it is context. Racing tends to be less formal with the sequence that the word gets spread to the crew that we are thinking of tacking, then typically the helmsman or tactician will say, "Positions", then "Ready", and once the key players reply "ready" the order initiating the tack is given but it will vary between "going", "helm down", "hard alee", "tacking" and "now" depending on the skipper and situation. Often there are modifierss spoken between prepare to tack and the final command such as "holding, Holding, Holding" or "Not yet" or "This will be a slow (or a quick) one". Cruising I tend to casually say, "we are going to tack shortly" and then "helms down". Single-handing I usually think, "time to go". Except single-hand I always use the "prepare to jibe" and "jibing"

I personally like using the historic language for the parts of a boat, and other sailing terms. I have never seen them as having a pejorative connotation that is somehow associated with the blue blazer crowd. Historically, these terms were widely used in working watercraft as well as yachts which in my mind makes them more blue collar than blue blazer. And while these terms may seem archaic, or formal, they do provide a clear and consistent instruction which many of the other terms do not.

Jeff

 

I’m in a sailing club that has little day sailors and racing dinghies. Part of the mission of the club is teaching new people to sail, and our club policy is to use verbal commands. And the policy is for all teachers to use the same commands, so there is consistency of instruction. Thus I find myself saying “Ready about” and “Helm’s a-lee!”

I gotta say, I think “Helm’s a-lee” sounds a little silly. When sailing on my own I will say “coming about,” “tacking,” or “flopping.” Or nothing at all. Depending on crew and conditions you don’t actually have to say anything.

When my wife started coming along on sailing trips the term “fall off” really bugged her. She is of the opinion that when on a boat, falling off should be avoided. I appreciate her logic, so I now say “head up” and “head down.”

 

For us, sailing with people who are mostly unused to boats, my wife and I have developed a system that, our guests, even if they don't speak English, understand that something significant is about to happen when I stand up and take the leeward sheet in one hand and say, "Stand by to come about." and "Hard a-lee."
I've no idea where most of the women on Women Who Sail get the idea that sailing is so quiet, but on Skipping Stone, sailing to weather in 20 to 30 knots is hardly quiet! There's the water passing by the boat at 7 to 9 knots with the occasional wave slamming into the hull (and maybe drenching us), the wind howling through the rig and at times the flapping of sails. Well anyway, because the noise level can often be pretty high, I always use exactly the same commands so that my partner will have no confusion about what it is I am saying, at that point.
Now, to hijack this thread a tiny bit, would someone please tell me what so many people feel they must communicate vocally while anchoring? Some even spend big boat bucks on headsets! Are they listening to books on tape while anchoring or docking?
The person forward needs to know the depth, easily indicated by the helmsperson, a finger or 5, and when to drop, on our boat a thumb's down. Same with docking. The helmsperson puts the boat alongside so the line handler can easily step ashore, and Bob's your uncle, you have a spring line on and the boat is now under control, no matter the wind or current. Maybe a few fingers help to indicate the distance the bow is away from the dock, but those ugly screaming scenes make no sense to me. And they are rather uncomfortable to watch, aren't they?

 

Think if you’re on a boat and NO commands are necessary you have great crew. It means everyone on the boat is engaged and situationally aware.
To decrease expense went halvzies on several different boats with the same co owner. It was rare if ever a command was required. He (or I) would start to throw the wheel over and the other would free and ease the prior working sheet and take in the other sheet. Not a word spoken. Start heading down wind ease the sheet reposition the car. No command necessary.
When ocean racing there was a running conversation about trim interposed with whatever else we were talking about. Only command was some variation of “ok let’s try that”.
At night the command was “time to reef” or whatever evolution was required.
See nothing wrong with “ready about”. Ready. Hard to lee.
But also see nothing wrong with”do you think we should move the car back a little back, want to take in the main 6”?, let’s try more vang. In short what ever clearly communicates the task required and timing.
Still like a quiet boat the best with the fewest commands uttered.

 

As I single hand... or wifey doesn't do sailing activities I basically explain to her what I am going to do.... she knows what tacking and gybing are...So I alert her by saying... we're going to tack or gybe... or reef the main... She helps get the main down in flakes and can pick up a mooring and that's about it... aside from watch...

We don't do racing and usually I have plenty of time to tack or gybe and give lots of warning it's coming up. On a crewed boat and especially in a race... calling this out may make sense... not so for how I sail.

Anyone who single hands is not going to be shouting commands to no one.

 

... or wifey doesn't do sailing activities I basically explain to her what I am going to do....

My wife says she's the "sailee" and I'm the "sailor" … so I tell her to "duck" and "other side" … If I said "helm's a lee" to her, the boom would hit her head!

I'm old, so if there were other sailors with me the old commands would me automatic.

 

So far, I recognize my own point of view in all of your comments. It's a practical matter more than a "coolness" issue. I use "Prepare to come about" so that the word "ready" as a response isn't confused with it. I say Helm's alee because the helm has been thrown alee. Now that I've learned to back the jib on tacks, I say "crossing" to provide extra input to a trimmer who might still be looking at the winch and tangles so that releasing can be timed more precisely.

Even when everyone is both expert crew and regular partners I "feel" that standard commands frees our minds from each having to think about timing when we're in the middle of whatever philosophical discussion we're having while approaching the layline. I anticipate teaching racing tactics mostly as a perfectionist's approach to cruising. Of course, when skipper I'm intently focused on tactics for the fun of it and the competitiveness, but I like to have a metaphysical "one with nature" aura hovering over the boat instead of Ahab's mood in chasing the white whale.

Hand signals while anchoring or docking probably could be standardized a bit more, but if I could afford it I'd use headsets simply because I like to look around for SA when at the helm. While coastal cruising I've started having extra crew near the cockpit to verbally tell me what the hand signals are just for that reason.

 

So far, I recognize my own point of view in all of your comments. It's a practical matter more than a "coolness" issue. I use "Prepare to come about" so that the word "ready" as a response isn't confused with it. I say Helm's alee because the helm has been thrown alee. Now that I've learned to back the jib on tacks, I say "crossing" to provide extra input to a trimmer who might still be looking at the winch and tangles so that releasing can be timed more precisely.

Even when everyone is both expert crew and regular partners I "feel" that standard commands frees our minds from each having to think about timing when we're in the middle of whatever philosophical discussion we're having while approaching the layline. I anticipate teaching racing tactics mostly as a perfectionist's approach to cruising. Of course, when skipper I'm intently focused on tactics for the fun of it and the competitiveness, but I like to have a metaphysical "one with nature" aura hovering over the boat instead of Ahab's mood in chasing the white whale.

Hand signals while anchoring or docking probably could be standardized a bit more, but if I could afford it I'd use headsets simply because I like to look around for SA when at the helm. While coastal cruising I've started having extra crew near the cockpit to verbally tell me what the hand signals are just for that reason.

Why do you need to communicate to anchor? I find the spot I want to anchor... motor to the location having estimated how far I will fall back and then with the boat barely making way I go forward and release the anchor. I use chain and a reversing windlass with marked chain... If there is no wind or current I will have to reverse the engine to set the anchor... with any wind or current the boat is pushed and the anchor digs in. I lay out the correct scope and then reverse with no wind or let the wind set the anchor add the snubber.

 

Dont get caught up in the details/weeds/trees. Thats when some people say..enough.
Teaching newbies is different than real life.
All that matters is the end result

 

I think it depends on context. My wife and I have sailed together so much, and we fully split duties. Whoever is at the wheel releases the jib sheet, and the other grinds. The only conversation is something like, I think I'll tack now. The other person goes over to the winch as says OK. Then the helms person turns the wheel. When we have guests, no need to interrupt the conversation, unless they want to play. If they do, I usually start them on the wheel, it's easier, then if they are interested, teach them to grind. No formal language, more like "ready?" and taking a look to see the wrapped the sheet the right way, etc.

When we talk about lines, we do use the right terms. When we talk about direction we do use port and starboard. But we don't need to talk much, too many years.


And let me strongly agree with capta. ABSOLUTELY no words spoken when anchoring. We stay in the cockpit and discuss the plan quietly and perhaps motor by the spot. I casually walk forward, she maneuvers back to the "spot" and brings the boat to a halt. I lower the anchor. Hand signals only including pointing where to go, fingers for RPMs in 100's in reverse to gradually set, closed fist for neutral, etc. All signals given casually, particular singular fingers avoided . When set and snubbed, walk back to the cockpit and enjoy the show over cocktails as others arrive.

It's not how you anchor, it's how you look (and sound). Same thing approaching docks. Plan first, vocalize in the rare occasion that you need to change the plan.

That said, I suppose in a school situation, or a yacht club or race when the crews change a lot, etc, common language might be helpful.

 

Would note although a quiet boat is to be appreciated occasionally talking while anchoring is helpful.
Our normal routine is to set up the anchor for deployment. Then get out the windlass control and snubbers. Then walk back to the cockpit and chat about where maybe a good spot. We both stay in the cockpit until the last moment.
Like to have at least 5:1 so that sets our depth limitation. Don’t like to anchor in grass nor hard packed sand nor rocks. So it’s to that end not forward/reverse/port/ starboard which can be served by hand signals that conversation is helpful. I anchor into the wind so whoever is in the cockpit can hear the bow but not vis a versa. So we don’t yell but rather don’t drop and join up again in the cockpit or use headsets if they are changed (lol).
Conversation is usually “ think there’s a good patch of sand 50 yards to starboard-don’t drop here”
“You’re not in the middle between those two boats “ and such.
Once you get over a certain size you maybe over grass in the cockpit and the bow over sand. If you’re at the wheel you aren’t looking straight down so won’t see rocks or dead corals. The bow person often has a better perception of north swell, the bottom and relative distances. Don’t know how to communicate that stuff and talk about where you want to be with hand signals. Maybe should learn American Sign Language.
Have had wife not want to drop near a particular boat or off a particular point of land or just because.
So we’ll continue to use a mix.

 

Tacking simply getting ready to tack.....tacking . Same with gybing except adding...main to the center
Anchoring for us is hand signals. No sound. Except her calling out the depth of the spot the anchor goes down.

 

Would note we also try to avoid anchoring near power and cats because they swing differently. We avoid anchoring near charter boats due to not wanting to hear gensets, bad music, and loud voices. (Sorry some are great sailors and considerate but unfortunately some aren’t). Also avoid derelicts. Also prefer English speaking flagged boats just in case someone drags it’s easier for us to talk with them. (Not much of a rule more often broken than followed). We do like to anchor near our friends. So try to spot familiar boats. We do like to anchor away from land and channels. Less noisy traffic, land noise and wakes.
So there’s a lot of considerations in choosing where to anchor best handled by chatting. Agree this should be done over headsets or in the cockpit.

 

I sail with a group of younger guys; 20' and early 30's. We use all the 'proper' language.

Skipper: Did you see that dress Jessica was wearing last night? Prepare to jibe.

Crew: Ready! Yeah, man. She looked great!

Skip: If it were any tighter... helms a'lee... it would have been painted on!

 

The only conversation about sailing on board is initiated by the wife's fears. So when anchoring she is telling me if she thinks we are too close to another boat... or a buoy of a channel. I usually can tell and know in advance the depth where I will drop the anchor... and how much tide rise or fall over the next day by consulting the tide chart. I may ask Elsie to tell me what the depth actually is when I set the anchor. It's usually what was expected. I've calculated where the boat will fall back to based on the scope that will be deployed. The only iffy places are crowded anchorages.. because invariably someone else will come and try to "squeeze in"... so more room may end up meaning less room! Snubber get's added after proper scope is down and it adds a bit more scope.

+++

Because I single hand... I have worked out methods which work for me and my boat. I wouldn't expect others to do what I do, exactly as I do it... and I become a creature of my own sailing habits. Other sailors could come aboard with their way of doing things... and they likely are perfectly OK.... they just may not be my way. For example I never leave a winch handle in once the sail trimmed... I will coil the lazy winch in prep for the next tack as soon as I can... this can be done before tacking obviously. I don't know what's the wrong or right way. The boat is set up for one person doing stuff so a second or third can make things seem crowded. So for most sailing operations communications is less an issue that the space to do things without dodging bodies!

 

Pretty formal when racing, more informal but still clear (hopefully) when just out for the day.
I was out with a friend once and he said "Let's come about", I said "ready" and was facing forward watching the jib when I shouted "Your starting to gybe !!!" He replied "Yeah, I thought it would be faster this way".
Now to me, "come about" meant to tack, to him it just meant "change direction".

 

Te he he,
I think it's great that someone went out and made up a whole language to make our sport easier, and yet most don't even bother to learn it. It really shivers me timbers when someone uses keel for heel! To me, it just reeks of ignorance and laziness.
And then one gets to my age and we just point and grunt a few times because can can't even remember any words for what we do, be they the right ones or wrong.

 

I say all of these on Tuesday evenings:
"Ready to tack?" "3, 2, 1 tacking"
"pole up" "pre-feed" "hoist"
"ready to gybe?" "rolling down" "trip" "watch your heads, boom coming over"
"jib up" "let the guy run" "halyard"

Daysailing is a bit less formal, but who the hell would tack without asking their crew if they were ready?

 

So, current sentiment in the forum appears to not have any hang-ups about using traditional terminology in commands but tends to allow for any clear form of communication, but only as much as necessary for the situation and the crew. Also, it seems that no one suggests that new sailors should not be taught some standardized commands in the beginning.

Personally, since I sail on all sizes of boats with crews that I only have just met, I tend to use minimal but regular verbal commands and responses even among advanced sailors. I think that every 10 feet in vessel length calls for more attention to commands, since crews are more apt to not be talking with the helmsman at the moment or even be within sight.

Regarding backing the jib while tacking, this is a helpful routine on older, heavier and larger cruisers that have two trimmers on hand. Especially in light airs, although I think using this technique is always a judgment call. I just teach it so that new sailors have the procedure in their skillset to be used as desired. I also think I've seen it used around a mark in close races between racing cruisers as well. But I only see those in videos and the race commentary doesn't always seem to want to highlight "how" the crew performs routine tasks.

The anchoring comments in this thread sparked a thought in my mind; I've talked to a lot of skippers recently about how often they teach family and friends to be able to "take over" command. Mostly I find that few skippers are comfortable except when they are in charge. I think my inquiry about verbal commands may apply most when captains are allowing interns, so to speak, to perform the anchoring or other maneuvers.

Hmm. Now I'm also wondering about which maneuvers we consider to be the most difficult or stressful. I observe that docking is a universal nightmare for recreational boaters. Everyone on the boat and everyone on the dock acts very nervous until the boat is secured. Obviously, passage-making couples seem relaxed; but weekenders are funny to watch.

Here's where communication really isn't just about the terminology but about practicing the procedure so that the crew really knows what to expect and what to do. Even though I could just hold the after mid spring and stern lines myself and step off to cleat them during the final slow glide, crew and passengers like to "help". So I give the assignment to step off or to loop the cleat to the most recently trained person and instruct everyone else to stand very casually and confidently wherever they think they are most photogenic. No dancing, crouching or quivering like chihuahuas is allowed.

I'm not sure what the hand signal should be for "don't be a chihuahua"...

 

Used to use standard commands until I was shown a better way, ironically, by a guy I had taught. (He went out and got more training from other folks, came back and taught me a few things.)

"Tacking in 30 seconds." (Adjust time as needed. A perfect opportunity to scream at the crew in a panic and scare the **** out of eveyone.

"Stand by to tack."
"Tacking, tacking, tacking."

 

I think there are many situations on a boat where the traditional arcane language sounds a little silly at best, and fails to communicate the proper message at worst. If you are on a race boat that is one thing, but out for a sunset sail with friends is another. Just tell them what you want them to do, instead of trying to teach them to remember what some obscure word means they should do.

I have taken many people out on the water who don't have much familiarity with boats. I rarely use any proper nautical terms in this context, because those terms fail to communicate a meaningful message, and can sound kinda dumb and elitist.

I think there's a corollary here to some professions which use formal, arcane language just because that's what has been done for generations. In the legal industry, there's been a push over the past few decades to drop the silly formal language and just say what you mean in clear, plain English, so that everyone can understand it.

 

I have taken many people out on the water who don't have much familiarity with boats. I rarely use any proper nautical terms in this context, because those terms fail to communicate a meaningful message, and can sound kinda dumb and elitist.

I also have taken many people out on the water who don't have much familiarity with boats, and yet the majority of those I have taken out were very curious and interested in the nautical terminology, honeymoon couples excepted.

 

Once had an Aussie, a Brit, and a Deep South southerner as crew on passage. It was hilarious. Between the kicking straps, accents and my NYC brevity at times we got down to just pointing and saying “that “.
They were great sailors so no harm no foul.

 

OK, now I'm lost. D-1, D-2, V-1 ?
What's so complicated about upper, intermediate, forward lower and after lower shrouds? At least I could figure them out by looking at 'em, in any language, whereas D-1, D-2, V-1, who the frack knows?
It's dead simple and a lot more real-life based than just about any other language most of us on a daily basis. If you want a misleading and absolutely confusing language for a whole lot more folks than sailors, try the computer language, with its bits and bites, dongles and mouses (eek?). Platforms (what, no oil or gas?), servers (girls in short skirts?), hosts (parrtay!!!), browsers, and viruses (oh horrors).
I'm glad I chose a pretty common sense work language. lol

 

OK, now I'm lost. D-1, D-2, V-1 ?
What's so complicated about upper, intermediate, forward lower and after lower shrouds? At least I could figure them out by looking at 'em, in any language, whereas D-1, D-2, V-1, who the frack knows?

I had not heard the D-1, V-1 lingo until I was talking to a sailmaker who was giving tuning advice in terms of D-1 (Top most diagonal shroud when there is discontinuous rigging), D-2 (the diagonal shroud between the upper spreader and lower spreader), D-3 the lower shroud, V-1 (the vertical shroud between the upper and lower spreader) and V-2 (lower vertical shroud when there is discontinuous rigging).

And don't get me started on new jib and spinnaker monikers (Code 0, jib top, Tweener, G-1).

Jeff

 

At least the seldon guides have diagrams. Take a snap bookmark it. Good to go. After awhile you will have no problem switching back and forth between nomenclature.
Wonder what letter/numbers are used on a traditional rigged topsail schooner or a staysail schooner or a brig or fully rigged ship. Here I think it makes sense to hold onto the “archaic “ terms.

 

Verbal commands, great opportunity to practice different accents

 

"Ready about" and Lee-Oh!"

I did a 1 week series on an Italian boat where I was the only person who spoke English.

I can assure you I prefer clear, concise, predictable commands in English!

Was a great series. We blew 3 spinnakers. The owner finally ran out of money and listened to me when I called a wind increase

Mark

 

The signal for tacking on an Italian or French boat is tossing their cigarettes in the water.