crew from hell ?

[Mouetterieuse]

Some crew finder websites allow to give positive references (like French “vogavecmoi”). References can be given to both skipper and crew.

[danieltran]

Well, it sounds like chossy but i often talk to them directly or through few skype calls.

[olaf hart]

I never have, and hopefully never will, use crew I don’t know and am not sure of their competence.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by atoll

in the delivery business,i think i have encountered more "owners from hell" ! than crew from hell,perhaps a parallel thread is needed!

Heh, heh. THAT I can believe!

I've had dozens of volunteer crew on my boat, and never a "from hell" experience, not even once.

If you have any experience hiring people (I've hired and fired hundreds during my career), then you won't have any trouble choosing good crew.

What you want is simply psychologically well adjusted, energetic, and eager to help out people. Sailing skills are optional. Even intelligence is optional. Get these three qualities right and absolutely anyone can be good crew, provided the captain knows how to motivate and lead, and teach a few skills where necessary. These three qualities are easy to recognize in even a short interview, if you have some experience. Avoid the opposite -- people with psychological problems (especially depression or substance abuse), torpid, and lazy people. These qualities are almost instantly recognizable. It's not rocket science. Most "crew from hell" stories are actually "captain from hell" stories. It's almost entirely up to the captain, how well the crew works out.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Most "crew from hell" stories are actually "captain from hell" stories. It's almost entirely up to the captain, how well the crew works out.

Well said !!!

As I said previously in this thread. There is no Bad dogs, only bad owner. Unfortunately, a lot of boat owners have no leadership skills and do not have the skills to manage the crews. Just because the Guy retires and buys a 100K boat, it does not make him a good boat owner and captain. They don't how to interview the crews and don't know how to resolve problems when the crew does not perform to their expectation.

[billknny]

Originally Posted by rockDAWG

Well said !!!

As I said previously in this thread. There is no Bad dogs, only bad owner. Unfortunately, a lot of boat owners have no leadership skills and do not have the skills to manage the crews. Just because the Guy retires and buys a 100K boat, it does not make him a good boat owner and captain. They don't how to interview the crews and don't know how to resolve problems when the crew does not perform to their expectation.

Oh, I have to disagree, a little. I have run into one or two Bad dogs”.

One thing I have learned to be really, really careful with is the crew’s relationship to alcohol.

You’d be surprised how even people you think you know can have a problem that is not visible until you are two or three days offshore.

Almost (almost!) worse than someone sneaking a drink on watch is someone who goes into alcohol withdrawal. It’s a truly life threatening condition without medical management.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by billknny

...

One thing I have learned to be really, really careful with is the crew’s relationship to alcohol.. .

I agree! But it's easy to suss out. Always mention the policy against alcohol on passage, and watch the candidate's face. That will tell you all you need to know!! A person with a problem can't control his reaction.

I can spot one with an alcohol problem a mile away. N.B. that not all heavy drinkers have an alcohol problem, and not all those with alcohol problems are heavy drinkers.

I had a really heavy drinking Finn who was one of my favorite crew of all times - terrific guy and great seaman. He could drink any Russian under the table, but the only problem his drinking ever caused on board was keeping him supplied! He never drank a drop underway per ship's rules, and he was always in complete control of himself even after a whole bottle of hooch, in port. I'd sail anywhere with him.

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by billknny

Oh, I have to disagree, a little. I have run into one or two Bad dogs”.

One thing I have learned to be really, really careful with is the crew’s relationship to alcohol.

You’d be surprised how even people you think you know can have a problem that is not visible until you are two or three days offshore.

Almost (almost!) worse than someone sneaking a drink on watch is someone who goes into alcohol withdrawal. It’s a truly life threatening condition without medical management.

I agree with you and understand where you coming from. I am sure there are bad crews, just as there are many bad captains (boat owners).

To weed out the alcoholics and drug users, stating out the rules and interviewing and checking references are very important. I look at their sailing resume and contact their previous crew position and speak to the captain. We must do the homework!!!

Fortunately, there are more crews looking for a boat and than Captains looking for crew. Therefore. captain/boat owner has plenty of choices to pick the best.

Nothing is easy, both crew and captain must do their homework to improve their odds.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I agree! But it's easy to suss out. Always mention the policy against alcohol on passage, and watch the candidate's face. That will tell you all you need to know!! A person with a problem can't control his reaction.

I can spot one with an alcohol problem a mile away. N.B. that not all heavy drinkers have an alcohol problem, and not all those with alcohol problems are heavy drinkers.

I had a really heavy drinking Finn who was one of my favorite crew of all times - terrific guy and great seaman. He could drink any Russian under the table, but the only problem his drinking ever caused on board was keeping him supplied! He never drank a drop underway per ship's rules, and he was always in complete control of himself even after a whole bottle of hooch, in port. I'd sail anywhere with him.

I think Carsten has crewed for you?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I think Carsten has crewed for you?

Carsten is Danish, not Finnish, and not a heavy drinker. Nevertheless, another one of my favorite shipmates!!

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by philip.cat

Well i hsve a good story about crew from hell one of my past crew a lady attacked me with a knife ( large ) while on the hard in Trinidad she wss escorted off the boat and out of yard the next day by the security.Jealousy is a terrible thing.

Phil

Sounds like I missed an exciting crossing.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Carsten is Danish, not Finnish, and not a heavy drinker. Nevertheless, another one of my favorite shipmates!!

I thought that was you he had written about. Yep, I knew he was a Dane, born in N.J.. I don't pay for sat. AIS so I haven't gotten a location since 4/19 on him and Vinni. They are both great a chronical sing the adventures of the Capri.

[Franziska]

Best is to test crew over a weekend. That usually shows what might have gone a miss in an interview.
It's clear though that that is not always possible.

[skipmac]

This reminded me of a thread a few years back. This one may win the prize.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...oan-44401.html

Never had a crew from hell but a couple that were a pain in the posterior. Once had a crew member have to bail with an abscessed tooth when taking the thorny path to the VI. We met a German girl in Nassau looking for a lift so took her on. Her first night watch we ended up 40 miles off course by the next morning. We discovered she would lock the wheel and spent most of the night in the galley eating everything that didn't require cooking. She made it as far as Georgetown.

Had one crew that started getting queasy while we were still tied to the dock. As soon as we cast off lines he was seasick, went below to his bunk and didn't get up until we got to the next stop where he went directly to the airport and home.

The most annoying and potentially dangerous was the guy that kept falling asleep on watch. So not only was there no lookout during his watch, he didn't wake the next guy so no lookout then either. I ended up having to stay awake every time he had a night watch.

[salty_dog_68]

I had a captain from hell on one of the club racing boats I used to regular. And Olson 28 it was a sweet boat and a lot of fun to race so it made it easier to put up with the "screamer" skipper. My first impression was when I was invited out for a club race. We are in the pre-start sequence and I am sitting on the rail just waiting for orders. The skipper asks to me, in a calm manner, "Eric, have you ever been on a sailboat before?"
I said, "Yes, sir. I have."
"WELL THEN TRIM THE F@#$ING JIB!!" He really was a nice person in general...but get him on the water in the middle of a race and he turns in to Mr Hyde.