If you are to command, show yourself a leader, not by talk, but by action. Always be first in everything that requires skill or courage. Thus you will win your crew’s respect, and if they respect you they will obey you. Never send a man to do a task you fear to do yourself. If there is any danger, lead, and your men will follow; but you cannot expect men to risk their limbs or lives to save your vessel if you shrink from the position who have the most at jeopardy. Don’t put all the hard work on the crew; do your share of it; also the dirty jobs. If you are working watch and watch, be sure to be the first on deck when your watch is called, and don’t leave it, unless you are sure that the yacht is in safe hands and that your care and skill is not needed.
Skipper’s duties:
It is your duty as skipper to know and see everything that goes on. If you order the lead to be hove see that it is. See that the lights are attended to and ready. See that the course is being properly steered. Before turning in at night inspect your riding gear, likewise when coming to an anchor. Don’t trust to a report, go and look at it. See that the pump is used and the vessel kept clear of water. Make a practice of doing these things until they become a habit.
Skipper and mate:
If you have a second in command, and he is a man who understands his work, if you place him in charge of the deck don’t be constantly interfering with him. If he is not competent to take charge of the yacht, he has no business to be where he is. If you put confidence in a man, and he is worthy of it, it will strengthen him and enable him to do better work all along the line.
Standing order to mate:
My standing order, and one that I always enforce, is this: When in charge of the boat no reefs are to be shaken out or extra sail made without my order; but sail can be taken in or reefed at any time without waiting to call me.
Crew, discipline:
In order to insure safety, comfort and good work, you must enforce a certain amount of discipline upon your crew. You can only do this by showing that you are amenable to it. You cannot expect men who are sailing with you for pleasure to obey orders or respect rules if you do not obey and respect them yourself. This is the prime fault with many young skippers. If you shape your own conduct according to your rules you will find that your crew, if they are any good, will do likewise. But do not make foolish rules or issue unnecessary orders; the less you restrict and domineer the better you will get along with your hands.