Pit

"Pit Boss"

This job is a combination of physical work and delegation.  The pit is an interesting job and the sign of a job well done in the pit will be when we can not remember what happened.  When something happens bad is usually when my focus turns to the pit, but when it is smooth the pit just assists all the other jobs on the boat.  You need to organize the pit first.  Mark halyards or and line that makes an adjustment.  Mark everything on the mast and deck.  Make a list and take notes on all the different settings.  Understand when turning a mark there is too much going on for one person so you have to delegate a job to another crew so the jib comes down while the spinn is hoisted.  We will go over all this during practice.  Because you are in the middle you have to be the voice forward or aft.  All communication aft to me and forward to the bow has to flow through you.

 

Pre-Boat Call

* Check Weather
* Get a good breakfast
* Bring the appropriate sailing clothes
* Look at all your notes for sail settings

Boat Call

* Look over all halyards
* Check marks on mast, deck, halyards
* Look over settings for yesterday and anticipate settings for today
* Talk with floater about
        a) Vang in prestart and upwind
        b) Jib Halyard at top mark
        c) Jib Halyard at bottom mark
        d) Clean up
        e) Vang in jibing
* Look at weather
* Always consider how to do the job faster, smoother, more effective
* Make sure we have great Marks on:
        a) Jib halyard, mast and deck
        b) Main halyard, mast and deck
        c) Pole out, deck
        d) Spinn sheets, at cabin winch ( you will release old sheet and once we turn it will be important to release to a mark)  The windward sheet has to be at the mark
        e) vang
        f) Inhaul

Pre-Start-Race

* Hiking upwind anticipating top mark rounding
* Listen to me about adjusting vang upwind
* Prior to last tack on starb, make sure spinn clutch is open and pole in is open
* Ease vang to an agreed setting
* Top Mark hike around mark and only move in once flat
* In Pit area launch pole and be prepared to tail spinn halyard
* Get helper ready to drop jib
* Adjust vang if necessary
*In a jibe take old sheet and be ready to release to the mark
* During jibing move to windward and only look at winch and mark
* Once complete rock if necessary and prepare for leeward mark rounding
* At leeward mark relay forward on the rounding
* Pre-set jib halyard, yet once spinn is down have floater adjust
* Drop spinn, pole in and hike
* Have floater clean up if necessary only after we are up to target

After the Race

* Clean up and write down all settings
* Compare your settings to the trimmers
* Talk to the floater to see how to do it better
* Ask questions
* De-brief
* Fix any broken items
* Get boat ready to race today for tomorrow