Leland Robinson wrote: >I will be taking Katahdin to Bermuda this Summer as part of the TrawlerTrek. >Aboard will be myself and two crew members. Some suggestions: -- Consider adding one more crew as four aboard is an excellent number for passagemaking. That extra body will make watch-standing, chores and duties much more enjoyable. -- Stand watches for two hours during the night and four hours during the day. -- As this will be your first passage offshore as captain, be sure to pick a schedule that suits you well, as you don't want to be irritated by a schedule you personally don't like. For a touch of class, slot yourself for what are the hardest watches for most people, midnight to 0200, 0200 to 04000. -- Six- or 8-hour watches are simply too long for most folks on a recreational vessel, but well-suited to merchant ships and commercial vessels with large crews. -- Preference for a set watch schedule or a rotating one varies from individual to individual. If you, as skipper, can go either way, poll your crew for their preferences. If you yourself prefer one over the other, go with it. Be sure to keep the list posted on your preparations for and experiences during the rally. --Georgs