We've held 2 class sessions, one at the school and one on the water at Bridgeton Harbor. Last week the sailing class had to be cancelled for bad weather, so we are trying to catch up.
So far, we have studied basic terms, and practiced rigging the boats. To get the sails hoisted properly, we must know standing rigging & running rigging, halyards & sheets, port from starboard, rudder, tiller, and why they call it "the boom." Here's our lesson pages on terminology.The cadets showed they remembered most of the rigging & terms from 2 weeks ago... not bad, y'all!!
We not only have to remember the details of 'boat words' and which part connects to what rope, we have to keep in mind that we in a different and potentially dangerous world on the water. For example, there is a right way to get on a boat, not doing it the right way can have bad results!
Huh?!? Is there a "right way" to get in a car??!!??!
Here you can see the element of TEAMWORK in the cadets rigging their Oday Javelins.
We have a web page lesson on basic rigging
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Once the sails have been rigged and hoisted, the coaches check everything. Then we get underway! The beginner sailors have coaches with them in the Javelins.
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The first sailing session is simple- sail back and forth, getting used to steering with a tiller and handling the sails. One of the keys to making it work is WIND DIRECTION. Our gold-colored Javelin, with Coach Jackson, in on a nice easy BEAM REACH (point of sail). Is the skipper sitting in the correct position?
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Docking a sailboat is kind of like landing an airplane. It's not necessarily difficult, but it certainly doesn't happen smoothly all by itself.
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Under the expert direction of Coach Hittner, this cadet skipper & crew docked their boat almost perfectly, and Head Coach Rezab (in dark blue T-shirt) is on hand to recognize their accomplishment.
Here we see the next crew waiting their turn to get aboard with Coach Hittner.
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Each crew got approximately 20 minutes of sailing time, this is not much. However we had to switch crews and give every cadet some sailing time. Hopefully, we will get rigged up and underway faster next session, and thus gain more sailing time.
Oh yeah, next time... we will move forward with learning about TACKING (which we did today) and POINTS OF SAIL, with more practice on these maneuvers too. Here's the next web page lesson
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Class is almost over- the last part is unrigging and putting all the gear away.
Here we see one of the advanced sailing cadets showing some beginners how to properly roll up a mainsail.
It is important that we keep these boats and the gear SQUARED AWAY. This is safe, it is efficient, and it lets the world know we are capable and serious.
... posted by Coach Douglas King
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