LEARN-TO-SKIPPER

Course Description

This course is designed to coach Club Members who are experienced crew and want to become Club Skippers.

The Learn-to-Skipper course is divided into 4 modules and is designed to be taken in sequence. However, students may take any module(s) to refine their skills and then challenge the skipper test at the discretion of the Director of Sailing Operations.

Module Outlines – Learn-to-Skipper

Module 1: Knowledge
1. Local knowledge
2. Anchoring
3. Rules of the road
4. Tides and currents
5. VHF radio and PFDs
6. Weather updates
7. Knot tying
8. Safety
9. Club protocol and operations

Sign up if you have interest in Module 1

Module 2: Boat Equipment and Boat Handling Under Power
1. Boat equipment review
2. Preparing to leave the dock (a. Rigging the boat b. Starting the engine)
3. Motoring (a. 360 turn, b. Moving astern, c. Docking)
4. De-rigging and stowing the boat

Sign up if you have interest in Module 2

Module 3: Sailing Skills
1. Raising sails and setting sail controls
2. Tacking, cruising gybe, sailing by-the-lee, the No-Go Zone and getting out of irons
3. Sailing backwards and heaving-to

Sign up if you have interest in Module 3

Module 4: Crew Overboard and Spinnaker Handling
1. COB – Quick-Stop and Figure-8
2. Basic spinnaker work
3. Review of Skipper Agreement

Sign up if you have interest in Module 4

Total Instructional Time: 18.0 hours (4 modules – 4.5 hours)

• Brooklyn Sail Club Rules
• Crewing experience on Club boats, especially the Melges 24
• Confidence at the helm

Prerequisites

1. Recommendation of a Fleet Captain skipper(s) OR
2. At the discretion of the Director of Sailing Operations

Methodology

• Instruction, discussion, student lead presentations and of practice

Suggested Reading

• Basic Keelboat, 4th Edition, US Sailing (1)
• Basic Cruising, 4th Edition, US Sailing (1)
• BSC Club Rules
• BSC Skipper Certification Test

Notes:

(1) These books should be available for review at our docks and can also be purchased at US Sailing. The Club is a member of US Sailing and we can order these books at the membership rate on your behalf.