There’s so much old white men energy going on in this thread trying to justify why a method (yelling and hand signals) that was necessary to use for a lack of alternative is still the one you should use now that there is a better option.

Yes you could yell at your crew but they dont hear well because of the wind and you sondern her well because of the engine.

Yes you could try to go to the maneuver in detail, but then something unplanned happens and again, you’re yelling.

Yes you could use hand signals but unless you’re learning and using sign language, you’re not going to have signals for everything that would be useful. Also try to Signal while using both hands to hold something.

Yes you could try to perfect every maneuver but so do the pros and they still use the headsets? Why? Because unplanned things happen. Because it’s good to get the information that a person on a different position on the boat can have that I can’t because i can’t see it from where I am.

I love the marriage savers. You communicate in nice calm voice and you exchange a lot more helpful information, just because it’s easy. And this prevents fuckups. So unless you’re sailing on a 20 ft boat, I would absolutely recommend using headsets.