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...and if the crew bumps it, it could mean instant capsize.


As a duly designated member of the Crew Union, I can say that the crew never "bumps" the tiller extension. Some skippers have a tendency to smack and poke their crew with the tiller, however. This is generally presumed to be accidental. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />


I believe skippers refer to this as a "Gerk" (or "Gurk") designed to remind the crew to pay attention to the sails?

This technique appears especially effective when 'demonstrated' on certain sensitive areas of said cremember's anatomy.

Jay