Sail 1 Checkout Procedures
Every Sail 1 Member receives an onboard orientation on each different boat model.
Below is a list of all the required knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete a Sail 1 Checkout.
Each Checkout can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the boat model.
We recommend including your normal crew, who will be routinely helping you. Bringing additional passengers or young children is not recommended for checkouts.
Preparation
- Be able to demonstrate ability to recognize and forecast prevailing weather conditions.
- Determine wind direction. Explain clues to finding wind direction (i.e. moored boats, flags, wind on water).
- Show proper boat boarding technique.
- Be able to perform a preparatory check of the boats equipment based on the Checkout Sheet.
- Display the ability to tie up a boat with bow, stern and spring lines.
- Demonstrate cleat hitch, double half hitch, stopper knot, bowline, and coiling line.
- Show proper way to put on a PFD.
- Identify weather information sources. (Windalert, NOAA)
- Check location of recommended and required safety equipment and documents.
- Be able to explain pre-start procedures and motor operation.
- Exhibit familiarity with nomenclature and parts of the boat and engine.
- Explain the proper rigging of the sails, halyards, sheets, blocks, and winches.
- Illustrate how to depower the sail plan using sail controls; outhaul, backstay, and cunningham.
Safety and Emergency Procedures
- Be able to explain the proper procedure for using safety gear including fire extinguisher, flares, and horn.
Leaving the Dock
- Display proper seamanship using the engine, lines, and crew coordination for a departure appropriate for wind and weather conditions.
Boat control in Confined Waters
- Demonstrate starting, stopping and backing.
- Exhibit appropriate shifting technique.
- Use minimal control speed.
Navigation
- Point out landmarks in the harbor and local waters and respond accordingly (water tower, radio towers, entrance to Back Creek, etc.).
- Be familiar with aids to navigation (ATONs), such as buoys, day marks, regulatory marks, and others.
Rules of the Road
- Illustrate the use and understanding of the rules of the road.
- Be able to demonstrate and understand the use of constant bearing to avoid collisions.
Boat Control in Open Waters
- Display proper sail trim with accurate sheet adjustment of the main and headsails. Make use of telltales and identify points of sail.
- When appropriate, demonstrate sailing “by the lee” and explain the inherent dangers involved.
- Be able to describe how to anchor using the proper amount of scope.
- Show how to reef and depower the sail plan.
Returning to the Dock
- Using proper seamanship and boat handling return to the dock demonstrating steering, stopping, securing boat, and deploying fenders in its proper slip.
Securing the Boat
- Stow equipment, clean, install covers, and secure hatches and locks.
- Complete post sail checkout form.