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
We will provide the boat and all the course materials, we only ask you to bring the following:
- Deck Shoes or non-slip white soled trainers
- Waterproofs
- Buoyancy Aid/Lifejacket (some are available to borrow)
- Older set of warm clothes (no jeans or tracksuit bottoms)
- Hat (either sun or woolly)
- Sun Tan Lotion
- Bottle of Water
- Any medication you may require
For more information please contact Sam
Contact Details
Sam Sale-Parkes
07811551367
sailingbysam@btinternet.com