Practical Skills

Rigging

How to rig according to weather conditions

Sailing techniques

Leaving and returning to a jetty or mooring
Coming alongside a moored boat
Sailing in close company
Performing a man overboard recovery
Awareness of lee shore dangers
Tacking while sailing upwind
Gybing while sailing downwind
Communication while manoeuvring
Awareness of other water users
Sailing around a short course

Ropework

Tieing a bowline, clove hitch and reef knot

Sailing Theory

Clothing and Equipment

The importance of personal safety, clothing and bouyancy

Sailing Background

Awareness of other water users
Basic rules of the road - collision avoidance, overtaking, power & sail
Self-reliance and basic equipment
Visual methods of attracting attention

Meteorology

Sources of relevant weather forecasts
The Beaufort Wind Scale
When to reef
Synoptic charts

Coastal Waters

How to apply weather forecasts in coastal waters
Tide tables and tidal sequences
Speed with/against the tidal flow
The effect of wind direction and tidal flow
Safety considerations when sailing alone
Accessing local information

Keelboat Specifics

Rigging

Reefing while afloat

Ropework

Using winches

Use of engines

Engine checks
Starting, stopping and running procedures
Coming alongside and mooring

Sailing techniques

Anchoring
Sailing using transits

Emergency equipment

First aid kits
Use and stowage of flares