Which is the best Watch System for your yacht, crew & voyage?

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*Recommended Reading:
Knots & Splices:
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RYA Weather Handbook (Northern Hemisphere):
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A Seaman's Guide to the Rule of the Road:
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Reeds Skipper's Handbook:
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The Complete Yachtmaster:
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The Complete Day Skipper:
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ABOUT MARK
I'm a professional sailor & RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructor (Ocean) with over 35 years experience. I've logged over 250,000 nautical miles including competing in three round-the-world yacht races, twice as skipper. I circumnavigated in 2011 on an Ed Dubois designed Clipper 68 and subsequently skippered two Tony Castro designed Clipper 70's in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2013 and 2019, respectively.
I've raced in the Southern Ocean nine times, crossed the North & South Atlantic 8 times and the Pacific 3 times. I've also skippered the RORC Rolex Fastnet Race three times and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, Swan World Cup and many other regattas and offshore races including Cowes Week & Marmaris.
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I am an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor. Videos are for free guidance only. Always seek advice before taking action. Videos on my channel are not provided in context and as such cannot and do not form part of a formal navigational and sailing course and should not be relied upon as such. This content is offered free of charge and I accept no liability for any reliance placed upon the content of these videos or references, therein. There is no contract between me and the viewer as a result of visiting this channel or watching these free videos.
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[@lubberwalker]

This was hugely interesting Mark. Absolutely full of wisdom. I liked watch system 3 but don't ever expect to have a large enough crew. But the most of the principles apply to smaller companies. Your take on some of the human aspects and foibles was interesting. I wondered if there might be a method that mixed up the watch participants who maybe only just able to tolerate their partners? It's incredible how people can get worked up over petty things. Or similarly, cause issues that are far easier to to avoid than to happen.

[@FreeSailingTutorials]

You are so right. Overlapping watches for small crew is a real winner and means you get a variety of stories and tea making skills.

[@twd2767]

Excellent summary. Much appreciated.

[@FreeSailingTutorials]

Thanks very much.

[@daverolstone5669]

Normally We use 4 on 4 off with two dog watches First watch 8 to 12, Middle Watch 12 till 4, Morning Watch 4 till 8, Forenoon 8 till 12 Afternoon12 till 4, First Dog 4 to 6, second Dog 6 to 8. Back to First Watch. Main=meal during the Dogs.

[@Susan-fg9jb]

I am really enjoying your videos. Your explanations are clear and concise. I have one suggestion. The use of “they” as a singular pronoun so that you are acknowledging that women are often the skipper. The continued use of “he,” and “wife” when referring to crew, is not 21st century language. For anyone who ask “why does it matter?” Well if it doesn’t matter then feel free to use “she” every time you refer to a skipper and “husband” every time you refer to crew and see how that goes. As I work to upgrade my skills, the extra effort it takes to get past the assumption by many men that I require their “help” and require them to “explain” basics to me, is exhausting. Small things like using inclusive language really do help over the long term.

[@FreeSailingTutorials]

Hi Susan. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I know some extremely good female skippers. In fact, three of them won or came second in Clipper Round the World races where I was competing. I also have a lot of experience teaching men and women - and couples. In many cases, the husband is a hindrance to the wife's learning. This is usually coming from a good place (a protective instinct perhaps) but not always. In both cases, I split the couple and send the husband to the bow - or the kettle - whilst the wife is doing something like berthing or leading a sail evolution (like reefing). As you go through my videos, you will see me use him/her or he/she quite regularly - even though the recent trend for pronoun policing makes me react against it. I do witness the 'mansplaining' thing on the water, although the same men also do this with other men. So its not just women that get frustrated by this personality trait. Either way, I do try to be neutral in my language but as I'm a man, sometimes I simply fall into the most natural descriptive and use 'he' as the default. All the best with your continued sailing career. And thanks for your feedback 👍

[@lubberwalker]

FreeSailingTutorials@@FreeSailingTutorials.... and of course the vessel is also usually she.

[@jacquelinebarr8520]

I do 12pm until 4pm everybody else’s does all the other easy watches. I know I’m all giving😂

[@FreeSailingTutorials]

I've created PDF templates for passage planning, pilotage, and pre-departure safety & daily engine checks. If you might find them useful, you can download them on my website. They are dynamic (i.e. you can fill them in electronically or print them off and and fill them in by hand). If you buy the set of three, they are less than £3 each, or subscribe and receive an email with a 30% discount code. www.freesailingtutorials.com/