BLUEMOMENT

The Round Mull race is coming up on the 1st weekend of July - think of it as a mini-WHYW without the round-the-cans bit, and not quite as serious a challenge to your liver with only one night in the Mishnish and only one ceilidh (at Bunessan). As winner of my class last year and second overall (ok, so there was a wee gale and everyone else retired, but that's not my fault!) I feel it incumbent upon me to defend my title. For some strange reason my crew of last year all have something else to do that weekend, 1 has emigrated to engerlandshire, 1 claims to be holidaying in Greece and the other is washing her hair or something. Following a request on a local club website for volunteers, a list of candidates, mostly complete strangers, came forward, and this is where my dilemma starts.

One of the volunteers is a denizen of this (and the other) forum, writes with extreme erudition and wit on a myriad of topics, has vast (much more than me) sailing experience, owns his own classic lovingly cared for wooden craft (for sale to a discerning buyer) and is obviously overly qualified as a crew. The problem is, being in awe of his obvious attributes, I am not sure how I can, with all conscience, let him carry out the roles I have in mind of foredeck hand, winch grinder, anchor chain hauler, galley skivvy and beer supplier at the Mishniish and ceilidh - and what remedies are open to me if he shows any reluctance to jump to my every whim. Can anyone offer me advice how to best utilise the man's skills without ending up doing it all myself? If it helps, his forum soubriquet is "B***** M***".

Two heads are better than one? I often find when crewing that its an easy life, let the guy at the helm make the decisions - it allows for general abuse of the skipper in the pub afterwards and means you just have to do as you are told.

As for the RMR on Tango Too this year - strangely the guy who had to don the wetsuit and untangle the rudder last year is not coming this year , but I should have 2 returners. I have told my crew the weather will be better this year - ie it couldn't be worse, but now I am not so sure.

I would however check the gents CV for his possible impact as a weather Jonah, there were several sailing last year.

See you at the start on the 1st.

Remember the old soubriquet "Spare the rod & spoil the child". Give him 40 lashes when he steps aboard, just to show who's boss & what to expect if he should transgress. I'm sure he will then respect your authority & come to heel when called.

Do I detect the voice of experience in your comments?

You guys have managed to make the problem go away! Presumably after reading this thread the old **** (insert your own epithet or sweary word) managed to invent a long standing subsequent engagement, played the "better half won't let him out" card and called off - and after all those nice things I said about him, too.
I could now write a sob story about how, because of his betrayal I am forced to sail the race short handed with only 2 young ladies to accompany me to the fleshpots of Tobermory and Bunessan - one too many to join the two-handed class. Luckily a young, muscular fellow has been found who is much better suited to the role.

I wonder what frightened him off?

Was it

marisca wrote: I am forced to sail the race short handed with only 2 young ladies to accompany me to the fleshpots of Tobermory and Bunessan

rather than

marisca wrote: The problem is, being in awe of his obvious attributes, I am not sure how I can, with all conscience, let him carry out the roles I have in mind of foredeck hand, winch grinder, anchor chain hauler, galley skivvy and beer supplier at the Mishniish and ceilidh - and what remedies are open to me if he shows any reluctance to jump to my every whim. Can anyone offer me advice how to best utilise the man's skills without ending up doing it all myself? If it helps, his forum soubriquet is "B***** M***".

Ash

Hope you have a great time this weekend. Hope you post a summary here.
I did the race for the last 3 years and thoroughly enjoyed it every time. Unfortunately circumstances have changed and this year it is not to be.
The last leg last year was just brilliant, but I suspect you won't have as much adrenaline this time.
Look forward to hearing your results.....