How to Get Started Racing if You Want to Crew

I am going to start with the assumption that you have been out on a sailboat at least a few times and enjoyed it. Now you want to get into racing. You are in luck because unless skippers like to sail singlehanded, they need crew.

Let’s break it down into three areas that don’t necessarily need to happen in order.

Basic Sailing Skills

To be a useful member of a race crew, it helps if you have basic sailing skills. Read a book, take a class, or just get onto a boat and learn by doing. Better yet, do all three. Good classes are available at several sailing schools in the Bay Area. The basic class from American Sailing Association, ASA 101, will cost more than $1,000 and run four full days of classroom and on-the-water time. Some yacht clubs also offer sailing classes at lower cost, although some only for their members. If classes are not in your budget, don’t despair. Get yourself a book on basic sailing and read it carefully. If you already have basic sailing skills, you are ahead of the game. But the best way to learn to sail is to sail. There is a good article at yra.org/goracing that describes what to expect on your first race.

Find a Boat

Now that you have the potential to be more than a passenger, you need to find a boat. One way is to find a weeknight beer can race. These run almost every night somewhere on the Bay, with the majority on Wednesday and Friday. There is a helpful list in the Latitude 38 Calendar. Just show up and walk the docks or use the contact info in the calendar and they might be able to help find you a ride. It never hurts to show up with a six-pack or other goodies to share with your new friends. Another method is to sign up on a crew list like the one on the Latitude 38 website. Be honest about what you do and don’t know. Most skippers are willing to take out a newbie, especially for the more casual races.

Be aware that every race program is different. Some are very casual, some more serious. Try a couple of different boats and find one that matches what you are looking for. If you are lucky and find a boat that is a fit and you get invited back, remember that the skipper puts a lot of effort and money into racing their boat. Show up when you say you will and be prepared to help put the boat together before the race and put it away after the race. In the process, you will learn how things work on that boat.

Sailing Gear

The last item on your list is sailing gear. Most skippers I know have lots of spares you can borrow at first, but eventually you will want your own. San Francisco Bay can be cold and wet. At a minimum I suggest you get foul weather pants, a PFD (lifejacket), knee pads, and some sailing gloves. Add a jacket and a hat you already have and it’s a good start. Do your research on foulies (avoid the cheap stuff intended for fishing) or ask your new friends what they use and why.

As you gain knowledge and experience and network with other crew you will find plenty of opportunities to race. Boats need crew!