Discover Sailing – Start Skippering

The Start Skippering course focuses on decision making process for the person in charge of the boat.

It further develops your motor skills and exercises the thought process behind making decisions.

It is the third component of the Australian Sailing Keelboat training course.

You will come to see the effect of certain decisions on the boat’s performance and gain a further understanding of how to work with your crew to manipulate the boat to get it to do what you want it to do.

  • Cost and course dates to be advised. Open for waitlist bookings.

Interested / Can’t make these dates? If these dates are booked out or don’t suit you, please register your interest on our waitlist HERE

 

Sailing Element Criteria
Preparation
  • Can demonstrate the correct use and fitting of personal safety equipment, lifejackets and safety harnesses
  • Can assess risks on board and understands how they may be avoided
Boats and Equipment
  • Can carry out basic maintenance on a boat
Safety and Emergencies
  • Knows what safety equipment should be carried on board, its location & operation
  • Recover a man overboard (as helm)
  • Knows how to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency
  • Knows actions to be taken in the event of major gear failure, such as rig or rudder damage
  • Can prepare for tow by a power vessel
Skills and Techniques.

As Helms can:

  • Come to and weigh anchor under sail in various conditions of wind and tide
  • Pick up and leave a mooring under various conditions of wind and tide
  • Handle a boat in confined areas under sail
  • Berth alongside a pontoon under sail
  • Can correctly tie up to a pontoon using mooring and spring lines
  • Berth alongside a pontoon under sail
  • Heave-to
  • Sail a figure of eight without use of the tiller
  • Sail backwards under control for a short distance
  • Handling under power (optional)
Sailing Theory
  • Understands the differing properties and care of synthetic fibre rope
  • Knows the following: general rules, steering & sailing rules, sound signals, distress signals
  • Is aware of local regulations
Weather and the Environment
  • Understands where to obtain a weather forecast and interpret its use
  • Can interpret a chart of the local area
  • Has basic knowledge of factors such as: buoyage, depths, areas suitable for anchorage, tidal heights and streams (where applicable)
  • Can assess risk, traffic density, local regs, narrow channels

There are five training courses available – Start Crewing, Start Helming, Start Skippering, Spinnakers, and Start Racing.

If you have a question, contact the club on discoversailing@mooloolabayachtclub.com.au or phone 0457 574 419.