This course provides a short introduction to sailing for novices. By the end of the course you will have a basic understanding of yacht handling under sail, including practical techniques and background knowledge. It is recommended that all participants consolidate this short Introduction with the basic skills course.
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
Knowledge of:
- Spars and rigging; parts of the sail and sail controls
- Wind awareness ashore
Understands:
- Use of halyards and their associated winches
Sailing Techniques and Manoeuvres
Knowledge of:
- The four essentials (sail setting: balances; boat trim; course made good)
Understands:
- Wind awareness afloat
- Sailing up wind
- Controlling speed
- Sailing downwind
- Tacking- turning the front of the boat through the wind
- Gybing- turning the back of the boat through the wind, from a training run
- The importance of good communication when manoeuvring
Knowledge of:
- Reach- sailing across the wind
- Stop- heave-to
Slipping and Coming Alongside
Knowledge of:
- The action to be taken as a crew member when departing or arriving at the yacht’s mooring
Ropework
Knowledge of:
- Round turn and two half hitches: clove hitch; bowline
Can:
- Tie a figure of eight knot; secure a rope to a cleat; secure a lender to the yacht
Clothing and Equipment
Can:
- Use and correctly fit life jackets
- Use a safety harness if fitted
Emergency Equipment and Precautions
Knowledge of:
- How cold water shock can affect a casualty in the water
Understands:
- The potential hazards of fuel and gas
- Where safety equipment is stowed and how it is used
Can:
- Perform actions to be taken as a crew member to recover a man overboard (MOB)
Sailing Theory
Clothing and Equipment
Knowledge of:
- The importance of personal safety, clothing and buoyancy
Sailing Background
Knowledge of:
- How to be aware of other water users
- Basic rules of the road- collision avoidance; power/sail; port/starboard; overtaking boat; windward boat
Meteorology
Knowledge of:
- Where to obtain a weather forecast