Why Good Skippers don’t shout.
You have to ask yourself why would a skipper be shouting? Is it for a safety reason, is it because they want it done in a hurry, is it because you are doing it wrong, they need to be heard over the noise of the wind, or just because they like shouting.
Safety reasons
It is understandable to shout for safety reasons, to quickly draw your attention to a potential danger, they are not shouting at you they are shouting for you. It’s like laughing, laughing with you is good, laughing at you is bad. In my opinion, a danger alert is the only time shouting for you is allowable.
Getting things done in a hurry by shouting.
Get that so and so jib sheet in NOW. Many people fear this is the way most yacht skippers act and that it gets even worse when they are racing. In essence this approach is because there has been a lack of training, people are not prepared and don’t understand the necessity of the task.
Getting things done in a hurry in a quiet organised way.
There are definitely situations when sailing that getting things done quickly helps the boat and reduces the amount of time things are out of control and possibly dangerous. To achieve this requires good crew training, explanation of the task and the reasons for it, clear communication of the requirements and getting people in the right place at the right time.
Good skippers
That is how Classic Sailing requires all our skippers and captains to behave, train, communicate and timing.
Getting it wrong
We don’t all learn at the same rate, pulling on a rope might be very strange to a librarian, so the trick of a good captain is to be able to delegate the right people to the right tasks and build the team gradually, not getting upset by mistakes. In fact if there is a mistake the task becomes how can we improve the training, not blame it on the person.
Wind and waves
Noisy situations do require skippers and team leaders to raise their voices to be heard, it just has to be in done with an encouraging tone.
Constant shouters.
If you come across a shouty skipper my advice would be not to sail with them again. They clearly are not competent as skippers and shout to cover their inadequacies. They need proper training. If they are anything to do with Classic Sailing we need to know so we can correct the situation.
The best
The best example of a quiet well trained crew happened to me in June 2025. I was sailing on Morgenster in Falmouth Harbour as we were leading the parade of sail. All sails set and close quarter sailing, no engine though it was there if it was needed, it wasn’t. We were approaching the east side of the Fal, the area known as the Roseland Peninsula where I live. Now you can’t sail through the land so Morgenster is going to have to tack and all the crew knew that this was going to have to happen. They had all been paying attention to the land and ships around them, they had all moved to their tacking stations. Not a word was spoken, at the right moment the skipper Jakob twirled his finger, put the help up and Morgenster began her turn through the wind. Sheets and braces were all let of or hauled at the right time and she came neatly round on the starboard tack. No shouting, no panic, just a perfect well trained crew.
Don’t take my word for it, watch the video and towards the end you can see Jakob give a little twirl os his finger and it all happens.
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Look at these voyages on Morgenster.
Frequently asked questions on shouty skippers
Do all skippers shout?
No. Most well trained skippers rarely shout. Clear briefing and preparation allow manoeuvres to happen smoothly using normal speaking voices.
Why do some skippers shout?
Shouting usually happens when there has been poor preparation or unclear communication. It can also occur during an immediate safety warning where attention is needed instantly.
Is shouting normal in sailing?
No. Sailing can involve urgency but not panic. A trained crew working to a clear plan normally communicates calmly even when acting quickly.
Can you sail with skippers who do not shout?
Yes. Many traditional sailing vessels operate with quiet coordinated teamwork. Instructions are explained beforehand so actions happen without raised voices.
Do beginners get shouted at when learning to sail?
No. Beginners are expected to learn gradually. Good skippers adjust tasks to experience and focus on teaching rather than blaming mistakes.
Are loud commands sometimes necessary at sea?
Occasionally a loud warning may be used to highlight immediate danger or to be heard in strong wind, but this is brief and not directed at individuals.
What makes a skipper communicate calmly?
Clear planning, crew positioning, and training allow manoeuvres to happen quickly without shouting. The crew understands what will happen before it happens.
Should I avoid a skipper who constantly shouts?
Yes. Persistent shouting usually indicates poor leadership or lack of preparation rather than necessary authority.
Is the atmosphere onboard calmer than people expect?
Often yes. Many newcomers expect chaos and shouting but experience organised teamwork and steady communication instead.
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