US Sailing Keel-boat Certification

BEGINNER

Ages 18+

Basic Course Description:

Two full weekends or nine individual classes. This is a complete course for anyone interested in a comprehensive course to learn how to sail with confidence. Following U.S. Sailing’s curriculum and taught by a certified U.S. Sailing Keelboat instructor, this is a 27 hour course. Each session documented in an official US Sailing Logbook! Small class size allows for individualized attention.

Cost:

$1775 for first person, $225 per each additional particiapnt

Things Learned:

Preparation to Sail:

Perform a presail check
Demonstrate the proper rigging
How to put on a life jacket

Crew Operations and Skills:

Tying and use of knots
Use of sail controls
Leaving the dock or mooring
Helmsman and crew coordination and skills

Boat Control in Confined Waters:

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
Sailing a predetermined closed course and maneuvering around obstacles

Navigation:

Identifying Aids to Navigation in the harbor and local waters
Use of Navigation Rules while sailing

Boat Control in Open Water:

Sail trim with accurate sheet adjustment of the main and jib
Use of the sail telltales and identifying points of sail

Heavy Weather Sailing:

Reefing
De-powering sails

Overboard Rescue Methods:

Overboard rescue methods most appropriate for your sailing ability, boat type, crew experience, wind and sea conditions

Safety and Emergency Procedures:

Proper procedure for using an approved distress signal

Returning to the Dock or Mooring:

Helmsman and crew coordination
Skills for arrival under sail suitable to the conditions

Instructor

Tom Sitron

US Sailing Certified Keel-boat Instructor

View Page