owners...

The trouble with boats is the owners and the problem for owners is getting crew who keep the thing ticking and moving in a general way they like.

...be that win after win after win, or just helping them learn their new boat.

The problemo with being crew is that you have to get the job you want on a boat that suits you. Compromise is very unsatisfactory on either count!! Early in your learning curve any boat will do, followed then by a good OD fleet to sail in- at least mid results- and then progression to better and better boats.

now the plumm job, lets face it is main trimmer. You bend the ear of the owner on tactics and you are the gas pedal on the whole boat. But it often is a job that is 'dead mens' shoes. Bow is the next plumm job followed by mast- as jobs go and not "rail consultancy" . These both do the exact oppostie- they keep you away from the owner and give you a nice view under the kite. Spurts of skillful activity are not rewarded by self satisfaction at seeing chaos behind you or in other boats.

Spinnaker trimmer is the next plum job, but this is getting into 'the trades'. It's hard work, cranking your neck up and concentrating for maybe hours to avoid broach or just keep the boat moving. But it's usually a bit thankless as a task because the helm doesn't often pay attention to you- they can well see the luff curve anyway.

Now, down at the tradesmans entrance is the jib trimmer. This is the angry guys job. He is by this position in life, under valued and he knows it! he has a vital job to upwind progress but is more often recognised for not getting his arse up on the rail fast enough. Always out his comfort zone because as the speed builds the jib looks a bit shit and he gets the (unwarrented) blame.

finally there are the shittier jobs of lower life forms. Some are such bottom feeders as to nbever really progress...ambitionless boozers glad to work off a hangover with a view around the boat


It's difficult for crew to take the risk and dump the boat, because they may be just 'on trial' and every bloody club in the world seems to go out wednesdays! However for the owner they want the best they can and hate descension. So be ready to get binned down to some shitty job or worse, off thew boat looking for a space well into the season.

This is the issue- owners want to make the calls and learn up their own skills, and flatter their own ego. Not all, but most want to make the calls.

sod 'em.