On-the-Water Checkout
If you are a new skipper this year or became a skipper after August 1 of last year,
you must complete an on-the-water checkout with either Kirk Culbertson
or an instructor. You will be expected to know the information in the following
checklist as well as demonstrate the skills.
| STEPS | Performed Correctly | Performed Incorrectly |
| Presail |
| Checks weather and crew for suitability of sailing in anticipated conditions | | |
Checks boat for essential equipment including:
- PFDs (life vests)
- Paddle
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
| | |
Checks boat for damage or missing parts including:
- Hull damage
- Loose hardware
- Loose winches
| | |
| Knows basic sailboat terminology | | |
Rigs boat including:
- Released mainsail sheet
- Released boomvang
- Untied tiller
- Knots in jib sheets
| | |
| Sail |
| Tacks easily and comfortably | | |
| Gybes easily and comfortably | | |
| Maintains control of tiller and main sheet | | |
| Releases mainsail to flatten boat when necessary | | |
Knows basic rules of the road including:
- Starboard over port tack
- Right of way in relation to:
- sailboats under sails
- sailboats under motor
- powerboats water
- taxis
- commercial freighters, tugboats etc.
- overtaking boat
| | |
Describes points of sail and illustrates appropriate sail trim for each point including:
- Running
- Broad reach
- Beam reach
- Close reach
- Close-hauled
| | |
| Understands use of backstay, outhaul and boomvang | | |
| Understands use of jib sheet leads | | |
| Post-sail |
Return to docks
- Identifies wind direction
- Appropriate timing for dropping of jib
- Appropriate timing for dropping of main
- Slow approach
- Fenders out
- Crew ready to retrieve docklines
- Plans escape route if coming in to fast
| | |
Derigging of boat
- Secures bow, stern and spring line
- Tightens main sheet
- Ties up tiller with backstay line
- Coils all sheets
- Appropriately folds sails
- Closes and locks hatches
- Checks boat over
| | |
| Other |
| Exhibits ability to instruct others in necessary skills | | |
Describes important safety precautions including:
- Man overboard procedures
- Heave-to or Lie-to steps
- Finding nearest harbor/marina in case of high winds or lightning storm
- Reducing sail and/or flattening mainsail area in case of high winds to increase control
- Knows safety precautions to take if caught after dark (e.g., flashlight on sail)
- Knows rights as an unmotorized keelboat sailing after dark (e.g., no registration necessary)
| | |