Keel Boat

Sail Cape Cod – Cape Cod’s certified Keel Boat Instructional Center.

The Basic Keelboat program is designed in collaboration with US Sailing to offer a comprehensive, introductory level program to participants which provides them with the skills, confidence, knowledge, and over all competencies to successfully and safely sail keel boats.

The goals of this class are to have fun on the water and to learn and/or build upon the basics of sailing. Students in this class will  sail with a small group  of our J22 class boats under the direction of our US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certified Instructor with a  safety boat alongside.. Typical Student to Instructor ratio is 4:1 See below for the skills you will learn!

Practical Skills

Preparation to Sail:

• Demonstrate ability to recognize and forecast prevailing local weather conditions.
• Demonstrate how to properly board a boat.
• Perform a presail check for the boat’s flotation integrity, safety and legally required equipment, and crew indoctrination.
• Demonstrate the proper rigging of the sails, halyards, sheets, blocks, and winches.
• Check all other equipment specific to your boat not indicated above.

Crew Operations and Skills:

• Demonstrate how to put on a life jacket.
• Demonstrate tying and use of knots: stopper knot, bowline, cleat hitch and square knot.
• Demonstrate the use of these sail controls: halyards, sheets, cunningham/downhaul and outhaul.

Leaving the Dock or Mooring

• Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for departure suitable to the conditions: raising sails, line handling, casting off and boathandling.

Boat Control in Confined Waters:

• Demonstrate in close quarters under sail: starting, stopping, speed control, tacking, jibing, steering control, sail luffing, the No-Go Zone, getting out of irons, backing the jib, and crew coordination and communication.
• Demonstrate sailing a predetermined closed course and maneuvering around obstacles.

Navigation:

• Point out Aids to Navigation in the harbor and local waters that you are sailing, and respond accordingly.

Navigation Rules, International-Inland:

• Demonstrate use of Navigation Rules while sailing.

Boat Control in Open Water:

• Demonstrate proper sail trim with accurate sheet adjustment of the main and headsails. Make use of the sail telltales and identify points of sail.
• Perform a heaving-to maneuver.
• When appropriate, demonstrate sailing “by the lee” and explain the inherent dangers involved.

Heavy Weather Sailing:

• Demonstrate how to reef and/or depower sails.

Overboard Rescue Methods:

• Properly demonstrate one of the overboard rescue methods, which is most appropriate for: your sailing ability, boat type, crew experience, wind and sea conditions, and maintaining constant visual contact with the person in water.

Safety and Emergency Procedures:

• Explain the proper procedure for using an approved distress signal.

Returning to the Dock or Mooring:

• Demonstrate appropriate helmsman and crew coordination and skills for arrival under sail and/or power suitable to the conditions: boathandling, deploying fenders, stopping, tying up and lowering sails. Explain at least two different approach plans for other conditions.
• Demonstrate stowing of sails, rigging and equipment. Thoroughly clean the boat, and install any covers.
• Check both the electrical and bilge systems for dock operation if required.
• Check the locks on companionway, lockers and hatches. Make a final check of docklines, spring lines and fender placement.

Knowledge

Preparation to Sail:

• Describe personal preparation such as clothing and sun protection.

Crew Operations and Skills:

• Be familiar with the nomenclature for basic parts of the boat, sails, battens and rigging.
• Describe the proper use of life jackets and throwable flotation devices.
• Describe the use of sail controls.
• Explain potential electrical hazards such as overhead electrical wires and lightning.

Sailing Theory:

• Describe basic sailboat design, sail theory and boat dynamics.
• Explain how to read the wind and determine all points of sail.
• Understand what is meant by the term “sailing by the lee” and explain the inherent dangers involved.

Leaving the Dock or Mooring:

• Understand the effects of wind, tide and currents in relation to the boat and surrounding area while preparing to get underway.
• Describe the differences and alternatives for leaving under sail and/or power in upwind, crosswind and downwind situations.

Navigation:

• Be familiar with basic chart reading specific to your local waters.
• Describe Aids to Navigation: buoys, daymarks, regulatory markers, and other markers specific to your local waters.

Navigation Rules, International-Inland:

• Describe the Navigation Rules, International-Inland, for Stand-On and Give-Way sailboats and powerboats for collision avoidance and understand your state and local boating regulations.

Heavy Weather Sailing:

• Describe weather warning sources.

Overboard Rescue Methods:

• Understand the Quick-Stop and Figure-8 overboard rescue methods to include: constant visual contact with the person in water, communication, rescue plan, sequence of maneuvers, boathandling, course sailed, pickup approach and coming alongside the person in water (or simulated object).
• Describe methods of getting a person in water on deck.

Safety and Emergency Procedures:

• Be familiar with treatment of overheating, hypothermia and seasickness.
• Describe the use and regulations for flares.
• Be familiar with at least six different distress and emergency signals per Navigation Rule 37.
• Be familiar with the U.S. Coast Guard requirements for safety equipment.

Anchoring Techniques:

• Be familiar with anchoring procedures for emergency situations such as loss of boat control, sudden storms, prevention from going aground or injured crew situations.

Returning to the Dock or Mooring:

• Describe the differences and alternatives for arrival under sail and/or power in upwind, crosswind and downwind situations.