Small-Boat Sailing


Small-Boat Sailing
BSA Supply No. 35950

Sailing is one of the most enjoyable pastimes on the open water. The quiet and peacefulness of the water can provide a pleasant break from everyday life. However, smooth sailing requires paying careful attention to safety.

Requirements

  1. Do the following:
    1. Explain first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while small-boat sailing, including hypothermia, dehydration, heat reactions, motion sickness, cuts, scratches, abrasions, contusions, puncture wounds, and blisters.
    2. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
  2. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.
  3. Describe the boat you will be using for the sailing requirement, naming all of the major parts and the function of those parts.*
  4. Before going afloat, do the following:
    1. Discuss the nine points of the BSA Safety Afloat plan.
    2. Explain the rules of the road in general and any specific rules or laws that apply to your area or state.
    3. Explain how water conditions, the hazards of weather, and heavy winds can affect both safety and performance in sailing.
    4. Discuss the warning signs of inclement weather and what to do should heavy winds develop or a storm approach.
    5. Prepare a typical float plan.
    6. Discuss the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear required for small-boat sailing in warm weather and in cool weather. Explain how choosing the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear will help keep you comfortable and safe while sailing.
  5. Discuss with your counselor how to identify the wind direction and wind indicators. Explain the importance of this task before setting sail.
  6. Following the BSA Safety Afloat plan, show that you and a buddy can sail a boat properly. Do the following:
    1. Prepare a boat for sailing, including a safety inspection.
    2. Get underway from a dock, mooring, or beach.
    3. Properly set sails for a round-trip course approved by your counselor that will include running, beating, and reaching--the basic points of sail. While sailing, demonstrate good helmsmanship skills.
    4. Change direction by tacking; change direction by jibing.
    5. Demonstrate getting out of irons.
    6. Demonstrate the safety position.
    7. Demonstrate capsize procedures and the rescue of a person overboard.**
    8. Demonstrate the procedure to take after running aground.
    9. Upon returning to the dock, mooring, or beach, properly secure all equipment, furl or stow sails, and prepare the craft for unattended docking or beaching overnight or longer.
  7. Demonstrate a working knowledge of marlinespike seamanship. Do the following:
    1. Show how to tie a square (reef) knot, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, cleat hitch, and figure-eight knot. Demonstrate the use of each.
    2. Show how to heave a line, coil a line, and fake down a line.
    3. Discuss the kinds of lines used on sailboats and the types of fibers used in their manufacture. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
  8. Describe how you would care for and maintain a sailboat and its gear throughout the year.
  9. With your counselor, review sailing terminology and the points of sail. Discuss various types of sailboats in use today and explain their differences
*

The skills may be demonstrated on any boat available to the Scout; sailboards are not acceptable. While no specific sail plan is recommended, it is suggested that the craft be smaller than 20 feet. The boat must be capsizable and have the capability of sailing to windward.
**

Capsize procedures should be conducted under the close supervision of the counselor. A rescue boat should be standing by to assist, if necessary, and to tow the capsized craft to shore. Self-bailing boats are acceptable for this requirement. Extreme care should be taken to avoid personal injury and damage to the boat or equipment.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Fieldbook; Sea Scout Manual; Canoeing, Motorboating, Rowing, and Whitewater merit badge pamphlets

Books

  • Ashley, Clifford. Ashley Book of Knots. Doubleday, 1944.
  • Bond, Bob. The Handbook of Sailing. Knopf, 1992.
  • Fries, Derrick. Start Sailing Right! US Sailing Association, 1997.
  • Isler, Peter, and J. J. Isler. Sailing for Dummies. IDG Books Worldwide, 1997.
  • Kantor, John. Basic Sailing. Longshore Sailing School (customerservice@ LongshoreSailingSchool.com), 2004.
  • Maloney, Elbert S. Chapman Piloting and Seamanship. Hearst Corporation, 2003.
  • Rousmaniere, John. Annapolis Book of Seamanship. Simon & Schuster, 1999.
  • Royce, Patrick. Royce's Sailing Illustrated. Royce Publications, 1997.
  • Smith, Hervey Garrett. The Marlinspike Sailor. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 1993.
  • US Sailing Association. Small Boat Sailor Certification Record Book ("The Little Red Book"). US Sailing Association, 2001.

Magazines

Sail
P.O. Box 420235
Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235
Toll-free telephone: 800-745-SAIL (7245)
Web site: http://www.sailmag.com

Sailing
P.O. Box 249
Port Washington, WI 53074
Toll-free telephone: 800-895-2596
Web site: http://www.sailnet.com/sailing

Sailing World
P.O. Box 420235
Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235
Toll-free telephone: 866-436-2460
Web site: http://www.sailingworld.com/index.jsp

Organizations and Web Sites

American Sailing Association
13922 Marquesas Way
P.O. Box 12079
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Web site: http://www.american-sailing.com

Online Small Boat Sailing Course
Web site: http://www.smallboat.sailingcourse.com

US Sailing Association
15 Maritime Drive
P.O. Box 1260
Portsmouth, RI 02871-0907
Web site: http://www.ussailing.org