Input requested- establishing watch schedule for 5person distance race

[johnthejetpilot]

Preparing to race 289 Chicago-Mackinac race for first time next month. We will have 5 aboard and are in “cruising category” ie only 1 Assym on bowsprit top-down furler, 135 RF Genoa and RF Main. IOW-no big sail changes happening on foredeck.

I’d appreciate any input on how others have run watch-schedules with a crew of 5 on a 48-60hr race up lake Mi?

Waning Crescent moon and w/July 10 start. High probability we’ll encounter storms along the way. 2crew with extensive experience running this race, 1 with a single MAC race and for me and 1 other crewmember it’s our first distance race of this length. I have considerable solo longer distance (100nm+) experience, just haven’t run a crew of 5 before.

TIA for any thoughts or wisdom on best strategy/practice for setting up watch schedule. Yes, boat has extensive safety equipment aboard (including liferaft and EPIIRB)

John McFadden
Ave Maria
2016 C385 #64
Southport Marina G312
Kenosha, WI
(847) 910-6115 cell/text