On completion of this course you will have a basic knowledge of sailing and be careful of sailing a yacht in light winds as crew and helm with a skipper on board. It will be assumed that every student starting in this course has already mastered practical skills and absorbed the background knowledge required for Start Sailing- Level 1.
Duration: Approximately 16 hours (either spread out over a series of sessions or two full days)
Recommended minimum age: 12
Non-residential course
Practical
Rigging
Can:
- Rig according to weather conditions
- Reef alongside
Sailing Techniques and Manoeuvres
Knowledge of:
- Leaving and returning to a jetty or mooring
- Coming alongside a moored boat
- Sailing in close proximity to other vessels
- Performing a man-overboard recovery
- Lee shore dangers
Understands:
- Sailing using transits
Can:
- Use the Four Essentials (sail setting; balance; boat trim; course made good)
- Tack while sailing upwind, sailing efficiently, losing minimal ground
- Gybe in a controlled manner while sailing downwind
- Show good communication when manoeuvring
- Show awareness of other water users
- Sail around a short course using all points of sail and crewing skills
- Anchor
Ropework
Can:
- Tie a bowline, clove hitch and reef knot
Racing
Can:
- The course and starting procedure (covered as onshore session)
Rigging
Can:
- Reef afloat
Ropework
Can:
- Use winches and cleats
Use of Engines
Knowledge of:
- Engine checks; starting, stopping and running procedures
- Picking up a mooring
Understands:
- Coming alongside
Emergency Equipment and Precautions
Knowledge of:
- A VHF radio and how it could be used for distress signalling
Understands:
- How to launch and board a life raft
- How cold-water shock can affect a casualty in the water
- The importance of first aid kits and flares, including stowage
Sailing Theory
Clothing and Equipment
Understands:
- The importance of personal safety
Can:
- Comply with rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, life jackets and personal buoyancy aids
Slipping and Coming Alongside
Can:
- Take the action required as a crew member when departing or arriving at the yacht’s mooring
Sailing Backgrounds
Knowledge of:
- How a sail works
- How a sailing boat moves (basic theory)
Understands:
- Basic rules of the road; collision avoidance; power/sail; port/starboard; windward boat; overtaking boat
- The points of sailing and the ‘no go zone’
Meteorology
Knowledge of:
- The Beaufort Wind Scale
- Inshore forecasts and their interpretation
- A simple synoptic chart
Understands:
- Sources of relevant weather forecasts
- When to reef
Coastal Waters
Knowledge of:
- Time tables
Understands:
- How to apply weather forecasts in coastal waters
- The tidal sequence of springs and neaps, and ebb and flow
- Speed over ground with/against tidal flow
- The effect of wind direction and tidal flow on sailing conditions
- How to access local information and advice for sea sailing
- The importance of informing someone ashore of your sailing plans