The most common crew composition today is probably the sailing couple. Thanks to modern equipment, yachts can be managed even with a small crew. Self-tailing winches and autopilot, chart plotter and bow thruster make everyday life on board easier. The sails can be operated from the cockpit, there is plenty of power available and the yachts are easy to manoeuvre. Travelling as a couple is easier than ever before. However, to ensure that it really is a relaxed sailing trip, sailors with two people should observe a few basic rules, which apply particularly to trips with a small crew. This is because the constellation of the sailing couple also harbours potential for stress. For example, if the sailing experience of both sailors is very different, or if their physical strength and fitness are different. Especially when there are only two sailors, it is important that both can carry out all the tasks on board. To this end, the roles should be swapped as often as possible. Knowing and having felt what it means to tie in a reef or to carry out navigation work below deck in rough seas creates understanding for the other person. However, this does not mean that both have to be equally good, which seems illusory given their different sailing careers.
Only two people have to share all the tasks on board. This inevitably results in temporary single-handed sailing. It is therefore advisable to take care of all the things that can be prepared in advance, such as preparing meals.
However, the simplification in the operation of yachts also means that they are getting bigger and heavier and offer more windage. This means that higher loads have to be tamed in the harbour. In addition, harbours are not growing and manoeuvring space is becoming increasingly tight. This makes it all the more important to master a few tricks with lines.
We have put together 13 tips for all these areas in the current issue of YACHT.
