Level I
Small Boat Sailing

Part 1 Novice Sailor

The Novice Sailor is prepared to go sailing in small boats with proper supervision.

A. Water Safety

1. Tread water for 3 minutes. Demonstrate that you can swim 100 yards without a life jacket, and without touching any object.
2. Demonstrate how to select, wear, and properly adjust your lifejacket. Demonstrate how to put a life jacket on while in the water. Swim 50 yards with life jacket on.
3. Discuss how to select proper clothing for the weather. Discuss the effects of exposure to cold water, sun, and wind and how to reduce their effects.
4. Explain how to get a weather report. Discuss how the weather may affect your sailing plans.
5. Demonstrate the personal International Distress Signal (raising and lowering both arms.)

B. Sailing Knowledge

1. Identify the following parts of a sailboat:

• hull
• deck
• bow
• stern
• mast
• boom
• gooseneck
• daggerboard

2. Identify and describe the functions of the following items on a sailboat:

• mainsheet
• rudder
• tiller
• traveler
• tiller extension
• halyard
• outhaul
• Cunningham
• Boom vang
• downhaul
• shackle
• bailer
• cleats
• telltails
• hiking straps
• buoyancy tanks
• daggerboard

3. Define the following sailing terms:

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

4. Identify the following sails and parts of a sail:

• mainsail
• luff
• leech
• foot
• head
• tack
• clew
• battens
• batten pockets

5. Describe the following terms and points of sail and identify them from diagrams:

• head to wind
• in irons
• luffing
• starboard tack
• port tack
• close hauled
• close reach
• beam reach
• broad reach
• running
• heading up
• heading down / falling off
• windward boat
• leeward boat
• sailing by the lee

6. Tie the following knots and describe their uses:

• cleat hitch
• figure 8
• bowline
• square knot
• round turn and two half-hitches.

7. Discuss safety when accepting a tow from another boat.