"I have to say I prefer being 2IC because you've got all the fun of the decision-making without the responsibilities.
"I think for a young woman like Jessica, she's got a lot of maturity and a lot of sea miles under her belt.
"It's just about remaining calm and having confidence in your own decisions.
"You are the skipper, you are responsible and so you just have to call it as you see it."
Watson's leadership was given a big thumbs up by crew member Will Broughton.
"She's one of the skippers that doesn't shout, it's brilliant," Broughton said of Watson, one of three female skippers in this year's race.
"She does look after everyone and she does make the right safety calls."
Cahalan, who missed one of Wild Oats XI's five line-honours wins because of pregnancy, was proud of becoming the first woman to sail the famous race 20 times.
"I'm also proud of the fact there's so many girls now that are in their high teens in Hobart races and that women are a great part of this race," Cahalan said.
"There's not many teams in the race now that don't have a mixed crew."
Cahalan expected her boat's race record of one day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds set in 2005 to be safe following predictions of bad weather.
After 10 to 15-knot northerlies, the wind is expected to shift to the south and blow up to 30 knots in the fleet's first night at sea.
Cahalan disputed the assertion of Investec LOYAL navigator Stan Honey that the forecast did not suit his boat and might favour Wild Oats XI.
"I disagreed with him there. I think this is a forecast where it puts us equal because there's so much to this forecast in terms of navigating it, sailing it, surviving it," Cahalan said.
Meanwhile, Sydney-to-Hobart stalwart Sean Langman, who finished second across the line in 2010, said that this year he would be happy not to finish in the bottom two.
One of the great characters of the race, Langman has switched from the maximum-length supermaxi Investec LOYAL back to the 9.1m Maluka of Kermandie.
Adding another twist is the fact that his 18-year-old son Peter will skipper the boat in his first Sydney-to-Hobart campaign.
Built in 1932, Maluka of Kermandie completed the 2006 and 2008 Hobarts under Langman senior.
Despite its advanced age, it finished ahead of a number of yachts on each occasion.
"We've never been last, so there's no pressure on Pete at all," joked Sean Langman, whose daughter Nicki will also be part of the crew.
"We're the smallest boat and the oldest boat, so if we can beat a couple of boats we're really happy."
Proving a good little 'un can handle Sydney-to-Hobart conditions as well as a hulking supermaxi, she finished the 2006 race while Maximus (now Investec LOYAL) was forced out after becoming dismasted.
Langman has achieved a number of line honours podium places in the past decade.
"It's a little bit scary with dad looking on board over my shoulder," said Peter Langman. "To get there in under four and a half days in a personal best time [for the boat] would be great."
The Langmans are one of a number of father-son combinations contesting this year's race.
Matthew Percy will allow 18-year-old son Chris to skipper his boat Alacrity.
The only American entry in this year's race, Carina, includes three father-son combinations.
In one instance, father and son will line up on competing boats.
Michael Broughton is the navigator on Jazz, which finished second overall last year, while his son William is on board Ella Bache Another Challenge.
FAVOURITES FOR LINE AND HANDICAP
Line honours
Wild Oats XI Heavily fancied to win line honours for a sixth time in seven years after undergoing modifications earlier in the year. Skipper Mark Richards believes the boat is as fast as ever.
Investec LOYAL Second across the line last year and has since undergone modifications. Got within nine minutes of Wild Oats XI at the Sydney Gold Coast race and has recruited hotshot navigator Stan Honey to its star-studded crew.
Lahana Second, third and fourth across the line in previous years competing under three different names. Skipper Peter Millard is hoping for heavier weather to get his boat closer to the two favourites.
Wild Thing The 2003 line honours winner is carrying a lighter load to Hobart this year in a bid to maximise its chances. Never discount doughty skipper Grant Wharington, who is better acquainted with the highs and lows of the race than anyone else.
Ichi Ban It would probably take an extraordinary set of circumstances for this 70-foot boat to trump the supermaxis, but it is used to a high placing. Has finished second, third and fourth across the line in previous attempts and could also feature in the battle for handicap honours.
Handicap
AFR Midnight Rambler A new 40-foot boat that has attracted plenty of buzz since its launch earlier this year. The latest in a series of boats bearing the same name, one of which was overall winner of the notorious 1998 race.
Victoire This well performed 45-foot boat achieved several podium places at different races in both 2010 and 2011. Finished fifth overall last year.
Loki A perennial candidate for overall honours, this 63-foot boat has won or been placed in a host of big races, with the Hobart one of the few races not to figure in its glittering portfolio.
Living Doll The overall winner of this year's Sydney to Gold Coast race. The Farr 55 from Victoria finished seventh overall in last year's Sydney to Hobart and third in the 2011 IRC Australian championship.
Hugo Boss This 60-foot UK boat is reportedly very quick and has contested some of the Northern Hemisphere's major ocean races, including the Fastnet.
- AAP
