I'm new to the boat and have very few complaints to date. The only thing that I'm still trying to work out is crew synchronization in the cockpit. I have the traditional cockpit layout which has its positives and negatives. Does anyone have a good program for the ballet that takes place in the cockpit between tacks. I would be very interested to hear how some of you have worked this out.

Sawzall!!

1st
only say "sorry" when there is blood on the deck.
[that's a carry over from the J24]

In light air, I usually raise the tiller and wiggle under/in front of it. When it starts to blow, I step over the tiller so I'm out of the way of my grinders and mainsheet man. It's tricky but doable.

I look in envy at cockpits like the J105. Oh to be standing well behind everyone and let them do their magic.

Bob Rude
Mmmmm

We have the main trimmer release the jib sheet on a tack to minimize traffic. So on a tack they, cleat the leaward traveler line, release the main a bit, release the jib sheet, move to weather right aft of the primary winch, pull traveler to weather and trim main, put a few wraps on the winch with the windward jib sheet so we are ready to tack. If your main trimmer can handle this, it will really cut down on traffic.

You might look with these on J30.org and elsewhere:
J/30 Crew Assignments
Rhapsody Crew Guide (Excel File)
UK-Halsey J30 Crew Guide (PDF)

If it's tacking the Genoa you are interested in, here's our approach. Light weight crew or mainsail trimmer drops down to leeward to release jib. Jib trimmer gets in position over other primary winch with 2-3 wraps. Skipper counts down tack. Release old sheet when luff breaks making sure all wraps are free of the winch.

Tail the new sheet getting as much as possible early. In light air grind the last few inches using the winch. In med-heavy air, hand tail off to other trimmer then grind.

see Moves for a hint.

when rotating crews are the norm ...
insist they do it the same way everytime. left handed people always on port. generally one of the two trimmers has done it before and will be able to train the other. four hands on the working sheet working as fast as they can to zonk it in. which depending on age ... can be Horrendusly slow ... duh...

goal is a 10 second tack without need for skirting.
most trimmers don't understand how fast it is required to get the sheet in ... to be minimally j30 competitive.

we've been known to do tacking drill in the NPT mooring field.
nothing like putting pressure on guys to get them to speed up.

the 163 is a tiger with a long tail.

Thanks to all who posted. Looks like I was on the right track! I will make it a point to always carry a handle of Mount Gay on board bumps, bruises, and cuts. Great disinfectant and moral booster!

Thanks again,