May 27 marked the final regular Fleet meeting of the season, with seven members joining via Zoom and twelve attending in person.
“Show and Tell” featured a range finder, a handy anchoring tool used by Dugg and Kristen to measure the distance between their vessel and neighbouring boats, helping them assess swing room while at anchor. Matt also shared that Fjällräven is offering BCA members a 25% discount throughout June at its Kitsilano store. He noted that the company’s gear is particularly well suited to cold-weather sailing, especially its trekking pants.
Dugg then raised the energy in the room by hosting a Kahoot! quiz based on topics covered in previous Fleet presentations. With the lead changing hands several times throughout the competition, it remained a close contest until Rhonda was ultimately declared the winner. Congratulations to Rhonda, and thanks to Dugg for organizing a fun and engaging challenge.
The evening’s presentation, “How to Be the Crew Everyone Wants: Crewing on Someone Else’s Boat,” featured a panel of experienced offshore sailors: Liam Quinlan, Victor Weizmann, Rhonda Schuller, and Isabel Bliss. The panel discussed ways to find crewing opportunities through websites such as Find a Crew, Crewseekers, Crewbay, as well as yacht club networks.
Guided by Dugg’s questions, the panel shared a wide range of personal experiences—both positive and challenging. An early discussion focused on their top considerations when evaluating a boat or skipper. One panellist recalled meeting a captain who did not carry a life raft because he “didn’t intend to need one”—a clear indication that the crewing opportunity was not a good fit.
Some of the key lessons shared by the panel included:
- Know yourself: Understand how you respond under stress and be honest about your strengths and limitations.
- Travel light: Bring only essential gear and maintain a positive attitude.
- Understand the skipper’s role: Skippers carry significant responsibility and often experience considerable stress. Avoid taking things personally, understand expectations, and ask questions when uncertain.
- Clarify roles and expectations: Establishing clear responsibilities and building rapport early helps prevent misunderstandings. Crew members are guests aboard, but they also have an important role to play.
- Prioritize safety: Become familiar with the vessel’s safety procedures and equipment.
- Bring appropriate personal gear: Personal safety equipment, medications, and reliable communication devices are essential.
- Research carefully: Learn as much as possible about the skipper, crew, and vessel before committing to a passage.
- Contribute to a positive culture: The best experiences often occur when skippers encourage self-reliance and crew members take initiative while respecting safety protocols and individual preferences.
- Maintain healthy boundaries: Clear personal boundaries contribute to both safety and comfort onboard.
Fleet’s final gathering of the season will be a celebration of new friendships, lessons learned, and the exciting adventures that lie ahead. Traditionally hosted at Cam and Marianne’s home, this annual event has long been an opportunity to reconnect with returning Fleet alumni and share stories from seasons past. This year, the gathering will take place at Spruce Harbour Marina on Wednesday, June 24, and will welcome current and former Fleet participants, their spouses and partners, and members of the Vancouver Watch. If you are considering joining Fleet next year, this is an excellent opportunity to meet participants, learn more about the program, and experience the camaraderie that makes Fleet such a valued part of the BCA community.
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