Crew Duties: Helm
Area of Responsibility:
Behind the wheel.
Controls:
Wheel.
Engine.
Expectations:
Steer the boat.
Always know who has right of way. A Working knowledge of race rules is required.
Communicate to crew intentions so they can predict and effectively do their job.
Examples:
Raising the Main:
Helm: “Prepare to hoist the main!…”
Mast: “Ready!”
Helm: “Hoist Away!”
Mast: “Hoisting…..Made!”
Steering the course:
Helm: “We’re nearing the mark! Prepare to bear off the wind!….Bearing off!”
Jib and Main: Autonomously ease the sheets to maintain best sail trim.
(Helm can help new crew by suggesting easing or taking in the sheet, but it should not be standard practice.)
Tacking:
Helm: “Prepare to come about!”
Jib P, Jib SB and Main: “Ready!”
Helm: “Coming about!”
Helm, Jibs and Main complete the tack and trim sails autonomously.