You can also read in this series:
I'm certainly not leaning too far over the rail when I say that most readers of YACHT know Bobby Schenk, the multiple world champion and passionate cruising sailor. He has influenced generations of skippers with his reports and books, right up to the present day. Many of them probably have the "Skipper's Primer", published in 2008, among other of his works, a small, fine work with a black cover and golden letters that conveys knowledge about what characterises good skippers. My favourite chapter is called "What the skipper needs to know about psychology".
Two pages, blank except for the headline and a footnote in which Bobby hints at how much persuasion it took him to wrest this concession from the publisher.
Mind you, these are not secret messages printed in invisible ink. Nor did Bobby suffer from writer's block, which left him sitting helplessly in front of blank pages while he tried to clear his head. With this section, the author did not want to give his readers space to become aware of psychological tricks. It was also not flagged up as a place for personal notes, as Wilfried Erdmann did in his log diary. Instead, only the nihilism of yawning emptiness.
"The typology of fellow sailors written by Bobby himself is nothing more than psychology, albeit formulated with the sharpness of judgement of a former district judge"
When I came across it for the first time, I couldn't help but smile. It takes chutzpah to show a clear edge, to go against the grain. And, of course, there is also humour and cunning in the pages. Which in turn led me to spend hours delving into Bobby's website, where I found some surprising things. At least when you come from the two blank pages of the "Skipperfibel".
Perhaps the pioneer and master of cruising sailing doesn't like psychologists - for whatever reason. But he does not negate the psyche or psychology. For example, in relation to seasickness, he himself talks about taking "psychological components" into account. He even gives this answer to a reader's question: "The sea is the best psychologist."
In fact, even his primer is full of practical recommendations on how skippers can best deal with tricky situations and how to put together and keep a crew together. The typology of crew members written by Bobby himself is nothing more than psychology, albeit formulated with the sharp judgement of a former magistrate. He calls newly arrived crew members "bogus sailors": "They know everything better and - that's the real problem - they say so." In contrast, he finds the "bathers" far less problematic. "In general, these fellow sailors admire the skipper and trust him unreservedly." After an "empathetic briefing that assumes nothing, but nothing at all", bathers are "almost always reliable helmsmen".
As you can see, there's more than would fit on two blank pages. And Bobby, I'm sure, knows it too.
"It's not just sheer sensationalism that draws our attention to foreseeable disasters during port manoeuvres"
Let's just take what is commonly referred to as "harbour cinema" - this free seaside stage in the marinas, whose most worthwhile performances usually run in the mornings and afternoons when it's blowing. Mooring and unmooring is a nerve-wracking experience for many sailors, even when the conditions are favourable. However, this is exacerbated by the fact that you can hardly remain unobserved when manoeuvring forwards into a box or backwards onto a jetty with mooring lines. On land or on the neighbouring boats, there is the "social comparison" - even if its presence doesn't feel like good company at all.
It is not just sheer sensationalism that draws our attention to foreseeable disasters during port manoeuvres. We also do this because we can draw conclusions for our own judgement by observing others. At best, the harbour cinema viewer hopes to learn something positive. However, it works at least as well the other way round. Schadenfreude could therefore also be described as the little, mean sister of social comparison.
Practised in this way - and hand on heart: who has never done this before? -, the harbour cinema serves to increase self-esteem. Because other people drive even more hair-raising docks, you somehow feel better about yourself. Either way, the mere idea that there are spectators can trigger or significantly increase anxiety and stress in the manoeuvring person.
"Captain Bluebear's three grandchildren will later always look out for a Hein Blöd on their own sailing trips if necessary"
Another psychologically exciting event in the sailing world is scapegoating, i.e. the search for the scapegoat, the pawn, the black sheep, the fool. To put it kindly, the search for Captain Bluebear's Hein Blöd - the light sailor that nobody takes seriously. This is not uncommon among the crew on longer sailing trips and is intrinsically motivated to reduce dissatisfaction and frustration caused by confinement on board, monotony, technical problems or unfulfilled expectations.
One approach to explaining this phenomenon is the frustration-aggression theory, according to which disappointment gives rise to anger or inner resentment. Hein Blöd then becomes a relieving object in the group. His "stupid role" is beneficial for the cohesion of the others. Or he is held responsible on behalf of other people for a frustrating result, offence or failure. By finding a supposed "culprit", self-esteem is increased at their expense. A catharsis effect with a cleansing effect - just not for Hein.
This can become complicated if it is perpetuated. The theory of model learning states that we imitate behaviour by observing it. So if you have internalised in your family, at school or at work that life is easier if you can spot a light sailor, you will almost automatically look for and find one. In other words: Captain Bluebear's three grandchildren will always look out for a Hein Blöd on their own sailing trips later on.
"Just be the person you would like to meet while sailing!"
But how do you overcome such mechanisms? From a socio-psychological perspective, what could have been written on the blank pages of the "Skipper Primer"? Perhaps simply this: Try to change your perspective and put yourself in the other person's shoes. It doesn't have to be in the situation, it can also help later. Ask yourself: What would I want if I were in the other person's shoes, what would I need at that moment? How would I like to be treated myself?
Please do not put yourself in the role of the person who is simply happy not to be affected. Offer help. Think about what you yourself can do to contribute to a positive mood. Communicate instead of blaspheming. Be open to dialogue and mistakes. Be a role model, remain polite, loyal and respectful, show social competence.
In a nutshell: Just be the person you would like to meet while sailing!
The author
You can also read in this series:
