| Spinnaker Trimmer
The spinnaker trimmer is a key member of the downwind speed team because he or she can see and feel the wind in the
spinnaker.
Pressure in the spinnaker. Is the sail nicely powered up or is it barely holding its shape? Was there a recent change in
pressure? Would the spinnaker be happier if the boat was heading higher or lower?
For example, the trimmer might say something like: “I have better pressure now, we can come down 5 degrees.” Or “I’m
losing pressure, it would help to head up a little.” This is the heart of what the spinnaker trimmer must communicate to
keep the boat going fast.
Note that the spinnaker trimmer describes pressure in the sail and then offers an opinion about what is needed to keep
the boat going as fast as possible. He or she should not say to the helmsperson, “I have more pressure. Come down
please.” The choice of whether to head up or down should always be left up to the helmsperson (and/or the tactician) and
is based on a number of factors like strategy and tactics, plus the information that’s communicated by the trimmer.
Commands to the grinder about trimming the sheet. The trimmer should tell the grinder when to start trimming (“Trim!”)
and when to stop (“Stop!”). Once the grinder hears “Trim,” he or she should trim as fast as possible and keep going until
they hear “Stop.” Don’t forget to say “Thanks!”
Requests about other spinnaker controls. In addition to the sheet, the spinnaker trimmer must oversee the afterguy,
foreguy and topping lift. If the boat is big enough that the trimmer cannot reach or handle all these controls, he or she
must talk with other crewmembers. For example, “Can you square the guy back a foot please?” or “Please drop the outboard
end of the pole six inches.”
Observations about potential bad air or windshifts. The spinnaker is a very sensitive sail, so the trimmer is often able
to recognize the effects of bad air or a lift or header before anyone else on the boat. When you feel this, tell the
helmsperson or tactician.
The Helmsperson
The helmsperson has the ultimate responsibility for making the boat go fast and is critical because he or she can
feel the boat through the wheel or tiller.
Feeling about boatspeed. The helmsperson should report on his or her sense of how fast the boat is going. Are you
accelerating, decelerating, sailing too fast, too slow, and so on? It’s important for everyone to know this so they can
keep the boat going as fast as possible and anticipate what the helmsperson might do next.
Placement of crew weight. The helmsperson should feel how much windward or leeward helm there is, and use this info to
direct the placement of crew weight, both fore-and-aft and side-to-side.
Description of your strategy. This is important so everyone is on the same page. For example, what angle and/or speed are
you trying to sail. Do you want to go high and fast? Low and slow? Or exactly on your target speed numbers? It will help
to give the crew a target boatspeed, a target wind angle, a target spinnaker pole angle or just a point on shore where
you are steering.
Questions of other people. Ask questions to keep the crew on their toes and to make sure you have the info you need to
steer fast.
Tactician
The tactician is responsible for coordinating speed information with strategic and tactical concerns.
Performance relative to other boats nearby. Comparing your speed to other boats is really the only way to know how fast
you are going, so this is critical. To avoid confusion, always talk about your boat. For example, “we are lower and
faster.” “We are the same height and slower.”
Tactical/strategic concerns. What factors, if any, may affect the course you would sail for optimal speed? For example,
should you sail a little high to avoid bad air or to get into better wind pressure?
Reminders about your target speed. On bigger boats with instruments, the tactician should help decide what target speed
to sail and keep evaluating this number as conditions change. Your target speed should take into account your performance
relative to other boats and tactical or strategic concerns.
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