In response to the demand for American Sailing Association (ASA) certification we now offer their Basic Keelboat course.  This 12 hour course is the first of many designed to train individuals wishing to make sailing a part of their life.  Spread over two days, this course will provide you with the backbone of the ASA certification you'll need to begin your studies.  Space is reserved for each class and is extremely limited (only four students per class) so book early!  

Cost: $339/person.  This includes the book fees (Sailing Fundamentals, and your ASA Log Book), and the required ASA fees. The only other cost is Washington State sales tax of $26.10.

Want to sign up?  Please give us a call at 360-376-2113 or email us.  Because this is a scheduled class with very limited availability we ask for a $150 deposit when you sign up.  This will be refunded (Minus cost of books and postage, $25) if you cancel at least 14 days prior to your course.  Upon receipt of your deposit we will mail you the books so you can prepare for the course.  We insist that all participants read the relevant material before the class starts!  This will make the course much easier!  

The two day courses are offered Monday-Tuesday, Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday.  Maximum of 4 students per instructor.  Below is a description of what you'll be learning.

Prerequisites: None

General Description: Sailors must sail a boat of about 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required.

A Certified Sailor has successfully demonstrated his or her ability to:

1. Identify the following parts of a sailboat:

2. Describe the functions of the following items on a sailboat:

3. Define the following terms:

4. Identify the following sails and parts of a sail:

5. Explain the following terms and points of sail and identify them from diagrams:

· Apply the Navigation Rules (International and Inland Navigational Rules for prevention of collision) by means of diagrams in the following situations and identify the sailboat or powerboat that is the "stand-on" and "give-way" boat.

o port tack and starboard tack sailboats

o windward and leeward sailboats

o overtaking situation

o boat on the right (danger zone)

o boats meeting head-on

· Apply Rule 5 (Look-out Rule) contained in the Navigation Rules (International and Inland Navigation Rules for prevention of collision)

· Describe the actions to be taken when sailing in the vicinity of commercial shipping (Rule 9. Nav. Rules)

· Define hull identification number.

· Describe the differance between planing and displacement hulls.

· Describe proper means of waste disposal including penalties for improper disposal and means for Notification of authorities in the event of oil spillage.

· Describe how and when to file a float plan.

· Describe registration numbers and how to display them.

· Describe a capacity plate, where to find one and the information which is contained on the plate.

· Describe an alternate means of determining a boat's passenger capacity.

· State the federal standards for determining intoxication using Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

· What is the BAC of the state in which you sail?

· Give 5 situations which may be considered negligent operation on the part of boater.

· Describe when and to whom boating accidents must be reported.

· Describe under what circumstances an operator must render assistance to another boater in danger.

· Describe the information an operator should acquire before operating his/her boat in an unfamiliar area. Local Knowledge.

· Describe where a boater would get the information in the item above.

· Be able to identify lateral aids to navigation by color, shape and numbering.

· Be able to identify Safe Water, Information and Regulatory Markers by corol, shape and numbering.

· List required safety equipment for recreational vessels between 23 and 40 feet.

· Describe procedures for safety trailing and launching a boat.

· Describe sound signals used by recreational vessels and their meanings.

· Identify the location and color of running lights used by recreational vessels.

· Describe common anchor types and anchoring procedures.

 

A Certified Sailor has successfully demonstrated his or her ability to:

· Select and properly use a personal flotation device.

· Select proper clothing for sailing.

· Hoist the basic sails, set appropriate luff tensions, and coil and hang halyards and other lines.

· Without an Instructor or direction, act as helmsman / skipper and crew on a sailboat using proper commands and responses while sailing away and back to a dock and mooring under various wind directions. Sail a windward / leeward course while performing successful come about and gybe.

· Lower, fold and stow sails properly.

· Describe and demonstrate the actions to be taken by a helmsman / skipper when sailing from the time a person falls overboard without warning until the crew member is safely recovered.

· Speed is secondary to safety in performing this procedure.

· Describe how to get an exhausted person aboard.

· Steer a sailboat by the lee for 100 yards without gybing.

· Steer a sailboat moving backwards for 20 yards with sails backed.

· Secure a sailboat to a dock so as to ensure limited movement and set out fenders properly.

· Describe the function of and tie the following knots without assistance:

o bowline (in less than 20 seconds)

o figure eight (in less than 15 seconds)

o cleat hitch (in less than 15 seconds)

 

· Tie the following knots without assistance in less than 20 seconds:

o reef / square knot

o clove hitch

o round turn and two half hitches