Qualities of a bluewater sailor

             Bernard Moitessier, ocean sailor. Image (book): The long way.

Introduction

The qualities of a sailor, whether male or female, may have different priorities or particularities, depending on the type of boat, the navigation to be performed, and also the position one has on board. In this first chapter of the online book “Life on board”, we are going to look in particular at ocean sailing.

For example, on a high-level racing yacht, the bowman will have to be particularly agile to handle the spinnaker pole, headsails, etc. quickly and safely during a round tack, while the helmsman will have to be able to steer the yacht and steer the course with great precision.

On a cruising sailboat, especially on a long voyage, such as an ocean crossing, personal or human qualities, such as flexibility and companionship, will play a fundamental role in creating a good atmosphere on board, and can make the difference between arriving ashore as great friends or with a crew that resembles a pack of people who are eager to disembark as soon as the boat is moored.

Experience and knowledge in sail handling, reefing, steering, navigation and communications, etc. are also essential on a sailboat, especially for a night watch and with a small crew.

In many occasions, a skipper has time to form his team with sailors of his total confidence, and with enough time in advance before an ocean crossing; but, in other cases he will have practically no time to know well or perhaps to have sailed previously with some member of his crew. Trying to know and assess their qualities in time is important, as a bad choice of a crew member can ruin or even ruin a long voyage on a sailing yacht.

We will now look at some general considerations about some qualities that we can appreciate in a good ocean sailor; and we will divide them into three groups:

a) Personal qualities:

– Flexibility.

– Calmness.

– Loyalty.

– Honesty.

– Companionship.

– The “sailor’s eye”.

b) Physical qualities:

– Agility and physical strength.

– Response to seasickness.

– Visual acuity.

c) Technical knowledge.

– Sail handling and trimming.

– Sailing in bad weather. Reefing.

– Steering the boat.

– Mechanics and electricity.

– Navigation and communications.

– First aid.