Demystifying the roles of the Bowman and Sewerman
This edition’s Inside Tack focuses on the key roles of the bowman who works at the front of the boat and the sewerman who looks after the sails below
Ideal candidates should be physically strong, skillful co-ordinators, effective communicators and should be as cool as a cucumber in the heat of the moment
Sewerman
Known as the ‘sailor with a fetish for wet soggy nylon’ this has to be the least gratifying position in the race team - working alone, below decks maintaining, repacking and lifting the sails from below. If allowed on deck (below deck can be a full time position) they work alongside the bowman, mastman and pitman to hoist or drop sails and to assist with the spinnaker pole during gybes.
The Sewerman (or ‘Sewerbabe’) has exclusive responsibility for ensuring the perfect launch of sails (predominately spinnakers) and the associated sheets/guys and halyards from the forward hatch. This method of sail launch is operated on most yachts of 35 feet or more and if done properly, it should take just 4 to 6 seconds to pull down a spinnaker back in and down below.
Launching a spinnaker with a twist in the sail or sheets can be disastrous in a race – indeed this position done effectively can provide an important competitive edge.
The perfect candidate for this role will be strong, agile, organised, dedicated, very good with their hands and will have a cast iron stomach!
Bowman
Bow men are part of the foredeck team and effectively run and organise the front of the boat. This is an ‘all action’ role involving hoisting, dropping and controlling the headsails and spinnakers.
During the pre-start, the bow men play a critical role in signaling the distance to the start line and the position of opponents to the helmsman or tactician.
Their staring role is performed during a spinnaker gybe when they are required to swap the sheets and guys at the end of the spinnaker pole. The pressure is on to get this right. If done incorrectly, the result is reduced boat speed as the pole and afterguy are brought back to the bow for proper placement.
The best bow men in the business are highly agile, athletic and strong – all prerequisites for a position that can have them performing acrobatic maneuvres such as climbing to the end of the spinnaker pole or being hoisted up the mast to organise the halyards.