So, we are almost finished with the semester. Hopefully we can get one more sailing session, depending on the weather of course.
We have a number of beginners who are -almost- qualified Basic Sailors. To qualify, a cadet must know terminology including basic parts of the boat, all rigging, directions, commands and responses for evolutions, and some general terms. They must be able to rig and unrig the boat without help, or even hints, from a coach. They must be able to sail the boat on all points of sail, carry out all maneuvers including tacking, stopping, and gybing. They must know the right-of-way rules. They must be able to unrig the boat and put all sails & gear away properly. They must undertand and follow safe practices.They learn most of this from their fellow cadets who have gone on to seek ratings as advanced sailors.
Sailing the big keelboats complicates this. For one thing, we can't expect the cadets to handle engines. And the procedures with roller-furling and winches and depth-sounders are quite different than our small FJs and Javelins; and they never have to carry out a Capsize Drill.
But the basics of sailing do not change, whatever size the vessel.
A big THANK YOU to 'Dutch Wind,' to 'Rampant Lion,' and to 'Allegro' !!!
...... posted by Assistant Sailing Coach Douglas King
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