Small Boat sailing training guide

Getting Acquainted with Sailing

Objective:

To familiarize Sea Scouts with the basic parts of a sailboat, sailing terminology, and sailing maneuvers through hands-on experience.

Materials Needed:

- Sailboat (on trailer or beach for land-based session, in water for sailing sessions)

- Chalkboard or pad of newsprint for sketches

- Felt pen, scrap cardboard, masking tape for labeling

- Learning guide showing parts of the boat

- Teaching aids (cutout boats, diagrams)

- Personal sailing gear (life jackets, etc.)

Session 1: Getting Acquainted with the Boat

1. Introduction: Briefly discuss types of boats using chalkboard sketches.

2. Boat Inspection: Gather around the boat on the trailer. Label and discuss parts of the boat, rigging, and sails.

3. Parts of the Boat: Review basic types of boats and their parts.

4. Rigging: Explain standing rigging, running rigging, and hardware.

5. Sail Anatomy: Discuss parts of the sail and types of sail rigs.

6. Directions: Review nautical directions and terminology.

Session 2: What Makes the Boat Go

1. Boat Movement: Explain how the shape of sails, hull, keel, and rudder affect boat movement.

2. Sail Aerodynamics: Discuss the role of wind pressure and airfoil shape in sail propulsion.

3. Maneuvering: Explain the effects of wind angle and sail trim on boat direction.

4. Sailing Directions: Describe sailing directions (beating, reaching, running) and their characteristics.

Session 3: Starting to Sail

1. Review: Briefly review previous sessions' concepts and terminology.

2. Tacking: Demonstrate tacking (coming about and jibing) and its importance in sailing.

3. Getting Ready: Assign crews, launch boats, lower centerboards/dagger boards, and fasten rudders and tillers.

4. Bending on the Sail: Demonstrate how to prepare and hoist the sail.

5. Going Sailing: Practice reaching and coming about with designated roles for each crew member.

6. Securing the Boats: Demonstrate how to lower, fold, and secure sails, then prepare boats for storage.

Session 4: Sailing a Course

1. Review: Recap sailing rules and maneuvers.

2. Rules of the Road: Explain inland rules of the road and right-of-way principles.

3. Beating, Running, and Jibing: Demonstrate sailing upwind, downwind, and maneuvering around buoys.

4. Sailing a Course: Lay out a triangular or leeward-windward course for practice.

5. Rotations: Rotate crews to give each Sea Scout a chance to steer and sail different legs of the course.

6. Conclusion: Secure boats and equipment, debrief the session, and discuss lessons learned.

These sessions provide a structured approach to introducing Sea Scouts to sailing, ensuring hands-on learning and skill development in a safe environment.