Monday, September 13, 2010

The First Lessons Are the Hardest.... (really?)


OK, we're off to a good start. Hopefully this page will make it a little easier to learn & remember all those funny words NAMES FOR BOAT PARTS.

Why do we need to know a bunch of weird words?

After all, you don't need to know what's inside an engine to drive a car!


Big difference- in driving, you are operating the vehicle by yourself, you don't have a crew which you need to communicate with.




On the other hand, you DO need to communicate with other drivers, only not in words. For example, we know what kind of chaos (and danger) happens when a driver does not know what a red light means.

.



.

In order to communicate with other sailors, you need to know the language.... and it is similar to learning a foreign language.


We could get by saying "that pole which holds the sails up" instead mast; and "the front big white flappy thing" instead of jib. Sometimes very good sailors will talk this way, joking around. But in an emergency, knowing the right word is necessary for quick, clear understanding. And good sailors do just that!




These diagrams show 16 of the basic operating parts of the Flying Junior sailboat. These parts will have the same names, and same functions, and pretty much the same form, in all sailboats... so this is a good place to start.





How many more terms do you need to know? For a start, see if you can think of a few very important parts which are not diagrammed here...

hint: two key parts of running rigging are not shown

.



One very important part not shown here are the DRAIN PLUGS!

Is it really necessary for us coaches to teach you about these, or why they're important?!?



Coming next... Capsize drill at the YMCA!

posted by Assistant Coach Doug King

1 comment:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete