How to Be a Great Snipe Crew

Last weekend I had the chance to sail with Bonnie Shope, a long-time sailing acquaintance who last set foot in a Snipe back in 1998—and that was as skipper, the far easier role. She bravely took on the challenge of crewing for me to help celebrate the Newport Regatta’s 40^th Anniversary, and we managed to tie for third overall. It was a lot of fun, but it was also a great reminder of what I first learned more than thirty years ago: crewing in a Snipe is really, really, hard. 

Mechanical techniques can be learned with practice and repetition, but here are four less teachable skills that should be on any aspiring Snipe crew’s resumé.

1. You have to be physically fit

Also, willing to contort yourself into a tiny ball in light air and then hike hard in breeze—and that’s just for straight-line sailing. Add in mark rounding challenges like launching and dousing the pole with both speed and accuracy, pulling up a heavy centerboard, and perching awkwardly on the foredeck to reduce wetted surface downwind (without leaning on the shroud)… what can I say, it’s a full body workout that’s impossible to replicate in a gym.

2. You have to “feel” what the boat needs

This is MUCH harder when not holding onto the tiller. In light air, especially when a sunny Sunday brings out the powerboats, keeping the Snipe going through a constant barrage of irregular waves requires subtle but constant jib sheet and weight adjustments. 

3. You have to fill in the skipper’s blind spots

Locate the next puff, point out other boats and their enormous wind shadows—all while adjusting weight and sails to better navigate over the next wave.  

4. You have to try and bring out the best in your skipper

Even when—especially when—she’s not doing her own job well. 

Perhaps inspired by Bonnie’s willingness to try something completely new, for this week’s fleet racing I committed to the front of the boat. Andrew Pimental and I raced together for several years back in the 1990s, so it wasn’t a completely unfamiliar role for me—and together, we managed to win the first race. But it was both a physical and mental reminder of how hard Snipe crews work. Have you thanked your crew today?

We are never too old to try something new, and curiosity is the key to eternal youth. Yet it’s very hard to step out of our comfort zones…. because they’re so “comfortable.” So thanks to Bonnie for taking on a fresh challenge, and to Andrew for the chance to experience the front of my own boat—if only so I can truly appreciate how much easier it is in the back.

Got a special crew you want to thank? Share their name in the comments below—and also let them know directly. Meanwhile, thanks for being here to read my weekly ponderings, and happy High Summer!