Top crewing tips from Greebo

He may sound like a Star Wars character, but he is also Mike Budd's RS400 Nationals winning crew

Here are some tips that I hope will make your life at the front end of a hiking boat more enjoyable and rewarding, whether it's an RS400 or something similar.
Before the start
Rigging the boat is a joint effort while we discuss the current and prevailing conditions. I tend to be responsible for the front end of the boat, in other words the jib and kite. Helms and kites don't always go together in my experience. Before the start I feed in to Mike: the course, specifically the windward mark rounding; the number of laps - the number of times top helms have gone to do an extra lap or finished too early has to be seen to be believed; shifts, bends and gusts.

Starting
We discuss most things on every start, as two starts are never really the same, for example which is the favoured end of the start line and which way or side of the course we want to be.

The first beat
Out of the start it is important to hike hard, keeping the boat flat and driving. I am the eyes and ears in the boat providing information - what's happening to boats both to leeward and windward. I see to the outhaul which gets adjusted regularly particularly in conditions where the wind is up and down, and Mike does the kicker and cunningham, apart from really windy conditions when I do these. It's essential in light airs that the jib is regularly adjusted even by, as we say, just a 'braid'.

Windward mark
On the approach to the mark the first jobs are to release the outhaul and to pass the kite sheet over the thwart so that Mike can start setting the kite whilst I’m hoisting. As we go round I let the jib off to a mid setting position, stand up, launch the pole (which is just one pull), launch the kite ASAP, take the kite sheet off Mike and then, depending on the direction of the next mark, get in the right position which varies from hiking on the windward side to sitting forward up to the mast in the light airs. I tend not to sit to leeward as we find it better that Mike slides in a bit enabling me to get a better view of the kite. The only real time I sit to leeward is when it is like a mill pond and Mike has made me go sailing.

Gybing
Downwind Mike sets the jib on the new windward side before we commence the gybe. I uncleat the jib going through the gybe. My focus at all times is getting the kite through the gybe. As we go into the gybe I sheet the kite in (one pull, but not too early). As the boom comes over I am crossing sides and rolling the boat. By backing the kite on the old gybe the kite fills instantly from the front on the new gybe without having to sheet it in tight and release or letting the kite flap.

The process in windy gybes - besides praying your helm gets it right - is the same as above but the emphasis is on speed and getting the weight across the boat as soon as possible. We both cross the boat ASAP and tend to be straight out on the straps.

Leeward mark
As we approach the leeward mark I pass Mike the kite sheet over my head. On the way in I grab the outhaul, fire the pole and halyard and drag the kite in ASAP. I don’t bother taking the slack up on the halyard before firing the pole and halyard - doing this is definitely slow, this may take some practice but the emphasis must be on speed. As we are going upwind I shove the kite up the shoot, tidy the sheets and cleat the halyard, to both take it off the tell-tales and be ready for the next hoist.

Roll tacks
Before we go in to the tack I am down to leeward. As we go into the tack Mike puts the tiller across. As this happens I release the jib and start moving over to join the roll Mike has already started. As the boom comes over I stay down on the new leeward side and Mike goes over to the new windward side. Only if I sense Mike needs a lift do I move to the middle. It is essential not to over roll and scoop water. On completion of the tack it is also important not to pull the boat over to windward.

Flat water vs ‘waves’
Most of what I’ve said has been connected with flat water. In the waves the main differences are:

1. Pick your time to launch the pole at the windward mark - in a short chop I use my judgement in making sure I do not launch the pole into the water, as this inevitably forces the kite into the water and under the boat. When it is like this I ignore the shouts of "up, up, up" from the back. It is better to trust your judgement than your helm's, as you will only get abuse from the back of the boat if you trawl the kite in water, as this is very slow!

2. When it is both wavy and hooting going downwind I will shuffle back - sometimes as far back as having one leg over the thwart.

3. When it is both wavey and hooting and we are upwind I will shuffle back so Mike and I are either side of the thwart and shoulder to shoulder - keeping the weight in the middle. When it is this windy and wavey and we are both hiking I also keep look out for big waves which could hit our bodies and potentially stop the boat.

4. Make sure the kite is well away as if it jumps out it is a serious business.

In all conditions a tidy boat is a happy boat - make sure you tidy up the sheets!

Good sailing,

Greebo.