Intro To Sailing Sailor Feedback Form
Sailing Knowledge
During an intro to sailing session at Hatteras Sailing, a sailor should expect to learn some of the knowledge points below. The instructor will provide feedback as follows:
- C: sailor consistently shows confident knowledge of the topic
- NC: sailor is not confident with knowledge of the topic
- NA: topic not addressed
| Knowledge | Evaluation |
| Wind Awareness: Identify the direction and pressure of the wind: light, moderate, heavy, no-go; Can point to the direction the wind is coming from; Can name 3 wind indicators; | |
| Boat Parts: Identify bow, stern, centerboard, rudder, tiller, tiller extension, steering wheel, winch, winch handle | |
| Rig Parts: – knows standing rigging vs. running rigging – knows line vs. halyard vs. sheet – knows mast, boom, shroud, forestay, backstay | |
| How Sailing Works: – Understands push mode vs. pull mode and the no go zone – Understands the relationship between angle and sail trim and crew weight as it pertains to the direction the boat sails | |
| No Go Zone: – understands “In Irons” means no rudder control and no pressure in the sails – can identify the no go zone on the whiteboard and on the water | |
| Upwind vs. Downwind Sailing: – Can point upwind; – Can point downwind – Understands “head up” vs “head down” and “Bear off” | |
| Speed Control: – knows how to describe heave to or safety position – knows the difference between being in irons and stopped safely in heave to or safety | |
| Points of Sail: – knows sail trim and wind position of Close Haul, Beam Reach, Broad Reach – understands what it means to accidentally jib – knows why we avoid sailing on a run or ‘in the lee’ | |
| Tacking: – knows how to define a tack – knows to sail zig sag pattern to reach upwind destination | |
| Jibing: – can define a jibe – understands “controlled jibe” |
Practical Skills
Introduction to sailing is not a “Learn To Sail” course, but our aim is to introduce each sailor to skipper and crew roles in a variety of boats as time and weather allow. Skippers take the helm and coordinate the crew for maneuvers. Sailors in crew positions trim sheets, watch wind and traffic, balance the boat, and do other necessary roles during sailing maneuvers.
Instructor will indicate the following for the boats included in the course:
- CSC: Confident with the skill as skipper and crew
- CC: Confident with the skill as crew
- NC: Not confident with the skill
- NA: skill was not introduced during this session on this boat
| Practical Skills | Sabre42 | Stiletto27 | Melges24 | C420 |
| Water Comfort Check: – Jumps in water, swim 50 yards, tread water 3 minutes; swim back wearing life jacket and shoes – Can get back in boat safely and confidently | ||||
| Stepping On & Stepping Off: – safely boards boat – steps onto toe rail before going over life lines – holds onto shroud or standing rigging | ||||
| Line Handling: – consistently grabs line overhanded – safely coils and stows lines – manages lines during sailing maneuvers | ||||
| Winches: – wraps winch in correct direction – stows winch handle – grabs winch handle properly – positions body safely when grinding | ||||
| Cam Cleats: – can load line into cam cleat – can release line from cam cleat | ||||
| Sailing Comfort: – comfortable when boat heels over – comfortable when the boat is powered up (puts rail in water, flys hull) | ||||
| Tell Tales & Sail Shape: – aware of the sail fullness and shape – watches tell tales | ||||
| Sailing Beam Reach: – can sail and trim to a beam reach when requested by coach | ||||
| Sailing Close Haul: – can sail and hold a close haul when requested by coach | ||||
| Sailing Broad Reach: – can sail and hold a broad reach when requested by coach | ||||
| Tack: – can safely tack the boat – can identify land mark and stay on heading after tack | ||||
| Jibe: – can safely jibe the boat – can identify land mark and stay on heading after jibe |