Woman sailing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sailing Lesson Overview
Basic Keelboat (ASA 101)

Required reading: 'Sailing Fundamentals' by Gary Jobson. Order from our Ship's Store.

All terms below are described in the Glossary.


Sailing Knowledge


Be able to identify the following parts of a sailboat:

  • hull
  • keel
  • bow
  • traveler
  • deck
  • spreaders
  • backstay
  • mast
  • boom
  • bow pulpit
  • stern
  • lifelines
  • shrouds
  • mainsail
  • jib
  • gooseneck
  • stern pulpit
  • cabin
  • headstay

Describe the functions of the following items:

  • mainsheet
  • boom vang
  • halyard
  • downhaul
  • stays/shrouds
  • dock lines
  • rudder
  • topping lift
  • winches
  • outhaul
  • shackle
  • fenders
  • tiller/wheel
  • jib sheet
  • fairlead
  • cunningham
  • telltales
  • cleats

Dock lines illustration:

Boat tied to dock with dock lines

Define the following terms:

  • port
  • helmsman
  • crew
  • running rigging
  • standing rigging
  • ahead
  • windward
  • starboard
  • forward
  • tacking
  • abeam
  • leeward
  • skipper
  • aft
  • jibing
  • heel
  • astern
  • beam

Identify the following sails and parts of a sail:

  • mainsail
  • spinnaker
  • battens
  • luff
  • head
  • jib
  • genoa
  • batten pocket
  • leech
  • tack
  • storm jib
  • hanks
  • bolt rope
  • foot
  • clew

Know the following terms and points of sail (see Points of Sail):

  • in irons
  • close hauled
  • broad reach
  • port tack
  • heading up
  • by the lee
  • head to wind
  • close reach
  • running
  • windward boat
  • bearing away
  • luffing
  • beam reach
  • starboard tack
  • leeward boat

Points of sail

Be able to identify which boat is 'stand on' and which is 'give way' in the following situations: (Learn all about the Rules of Road: Avoiding Collisions)

  • port tack and starboard tack sailboats
  • windward and leeward sailboats on the same tack
  • overtaking situation
  • boat on the right
  • boats meeting head on

Describe what actions to take while sailing in the vicinity of large ships. (See: Avoiding Collisions).

Know the difference between a planing and displacement hull.

Describe how and when to file a float plan.

Describe a capacity plate.

Describe when mariners must render assistance to another vessel.

Identify lateral aids to navigation by color, shape, and numbering.
(See: Aids To Navigation)

List required federal equipment for vessels between 7 and 12 meters.
(Listed in the Glossary)

Describe sound signals used by boaters.
(See: Avoiding Collisions)

Describe location, color, and meaning of running lights.
(See: Navigation Lights)

 

Sailing Skills

Without direction, be able to act as helmsperson/skipper and crew on a sailboat using proper commands and responses while sailing under various wind directions. Be able to successfully sail all points of sail including tacking and jibing. Sample commands:

Properly stow sails.

Describe and demonstrate the actions to be taken by a helmsperson when sailing from the time a person falls overboard without warning until the crew member is safely recovered. Speed is secondary to safety.
(See: Crew Overboard)

Describe how to get an exhausted person on board.

Secure a sailboat to a dock properly.
(See 'Dock Lines' above)

Describe the function of and tie the following knots without assistance:
(See: Sailing Knots)

Learn more about Sailing Knots.