Being a good skipper goes beyond keeping the crew and boat safe\u2014it means delivering the right experienceMost people agree: skippers are responsible for the safety of the crew and the boat. But the job far exceeds keeping everyone alive and afloat. A good skipper also has to deliver an experience. One that aligns, at least partly, with the expectations of the crew.
\nIn my view, that\u2019s the most overlooked and arguably the hardest part of skippering.
\nFor commercial skippers \u2018experience provider\u2019 is literally on the job description. Crew sign up to a defined trip, often with a detailed itinerary, and they pay for their place on board.
\nThe task is to keep a group of strangers safe, meet their expectations and finish on time. Sounds tough? It is.
\nBut it isn\u2019t just a commercial skipper\u2019s problem. Every crew, even friends and family, come aboard with expectations. In fact, I sometimes think delivering an experience to strangers is easier than doing it for loved ones. At least if I disappoint paying customers, I don\u2019t have to hear about it for the rest of my life.
\nI recently had one of these crews join me for a cruise from Alaska, USA to Victoria, Canada. They wanted wildlife encounters, a taste of Pacific Northwest sailing, and some kind of \u2018offshore\u2019 experience.
\nIn seven days I needed to deliver overnight sailing, coastal cruising, a remote wilderness anchorage, and a 600-mile passage.
\nArticle continues below\u2026<\/p>\n
The timing was tight. The weather wasn\u2019t playing ball. A slim downwind weather window was followed by four days of forecasted no wind \u2013 the worst thing ever when you have eight crew members keen to sail.
\nSo, we rallied. I adapted the safety brief to run underway, anchored on the US border, left again at 0500, motored eight hours in the rain, and made it to Prince Rupert \u2013 our Canadian port of entry \u2013 just before customs closed.
\nBy 8pm, we were cleared into Canada, and I faced a dilemma. The weather window was fast diminishing. And, so were my energy levels. Do we go? Or do we stay?
\nThe forecast was clear: the only wind for the next four days would come that night. No matter how many times I refreshed the GRIBs and compared models, the message was the same \u2013 we had to leave that night to catch the wind. But the thought of slipping lines, hoisting sails and heading into the darkness filled me with dread.
\nThe truth was, the only obstacle was me. The boat was ready, the crew were briefed, the conditions perfect: 15 knots on a broad reach all night.
\nBut I was running on fumes. I gathered the crew and explained that while we had everything lined up for an amazing first night at sea, I was calling it: we\u2019d stay on the dock and leave in the morning. They supported the decision, but I still felt I\u2019d failed them.
\nThe next day, the sun shone, and so did I!
\nWith my fresh energy, I embraced whatever nature threw our way. We slowed down to watch whales, chased an afternoon sea breeze, and practiced upwind helming as we zigzagged through forested fjords.
\nThe week ended as a total success. And it was a valuable reminder: one of the greatest influences on a good trip is the skipper\u2019s mood.
\nMost crews will choose no wind and an enthusiastic skipper over perfect wind and a miserable one.
\nA happy crew is a very important thing. But sometimes a skipper needs to be \u2018the bad guy\u2019
\nMaking the tough calls
\nFor skippers, making unpopular calls comes with the territory. Whether it\u2019s delaying departure, dropping the spinnaker, waking someone early for a sail change, or pulling someone up on bad behaviour \u2013 at some point, you\u2019ll make a call that not everyone on the crew agrees with. Sometimes, they may downright hate it. And yes, this part of skippering always sucks.
\nIt\u2019s uncomfortable. It\u2019s lonely. And, like my night in Prince Rupert, it can feel like you\u2019re failing people. But there are ways to cope.
\nIdeally you\u2019ll win respect for your decision, even if no one likes it. Share as much of your thinking as you can.
\nThe more involved the crew feel, the more likely they\u2019ll empathise.
\nThe harder calls are the ones when you have to weigh fatigue, gut feeling, or that intangible sense that \u2018something isn\u2019t right\u2019. My advice is to listen to those feelings. I\u2019ve had to learn and relearn so many times to treat them with the same weight as the hard data.
\nJust as you wouldn\u2019t push sails, equipment or crew past their limits, don\u2019t push your own nerves either. Even if it\u2019s just a touch of anxiety or feeling a bit \u2018off\u2019, remember: your job isn\u2019t just to drive a boat or keep people alive \u2013 you\u2019re providing an experience. And that matters just as much as the wind and the weather.<\/p>\n
If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/p>\n
Yachting World is the world\u2019s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.<\/p>\n
Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
The post A skipper\u2019s hardest job? Managing crew expectations \u2013 Nikki Henderson appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Being a good skipper goes beyond keeping the crew and boat safe\u2014it means delivering the right experienceMost people agree: skippers are responsible for the safety of the crew and the boat. But the job far exceeds keeping everyone alive and … <\/p>\n