Adult Learn to Sail Program
The goal of the program is to have interested SMWYC members become confident and competent enough in their boats handling skills and familiar enough with the two Capris 22’s to safely take advantage of the fleet that is available to them for day sails under the SMWYC Small Boat Fleet program.
The course is approximately 12-hours total of on the water and classroom instruction presented on weekdays in five, 2.5 hour, sessions during the early evening hours’ (time of year dependent) or Weekends in 4, 3 hour sessions on Saturdays schedules and times to be arranged with students and instructors.
Each student is given a reference book at the beginning of the course and a take home test at the end of the course. Instructors will evaluate the students sailing competence at the end of the course. The take home test is sent back to the smallboatfleet@smwyc.org email or dropped off at the office and graded.
Already skilled sailors can go straight to testing and evaluation.
Adult learn to sail program is $225 per student, maximum 3 students per class. An evaluation and take home test will be given at the completion of the course.
Test and Check out (Certification) only is $75
Upon a favorable instructor evaluation at the completion of the course or check out and a passing grade on the written test the member will be Certified and granted access to reserve the Capri 22’s for personal use.
If a student does not receive a favorable evaluation and/or a passing grade on the test there are many opportunities to gain the necessary experience through group sails and small boat meet up. The student is encouraged to practice and re-test.
Typical Class Lesson Plans
Session 1
Course Introduction Instructor/Student Introduction
Evaluate student’s current skill level
Classroom/Dock Session: Introduction
Review parts of the boat with the model at SMWYC
Review points of sail
Review the basic knots (cleat hitch, figure 8, bow line, clove hitch) with each student having their own sample of line to work with.
Explain how to get the key and VHF for the boat from the box in the garage.
Go to the boat and review parts of the boat.
Discuss how to rig it.
Hank on the jib, attach the jib sheet, attach the halyard, raise the jib.
Attach the main halyard and raise the mainsail.
Take the sails down, show the student how to fold the jib, stow the mainsail and put the boat away properly.
Leaving it in good condition for the next person or group of sailors.
Report any boat problems by email and on a form
Session 2 – Meet at the boat, students arrive early and already rigged the boat.
Go over any rigging questions
Go over dock lines, how to tie and untie the cleats.
Show the students how to undock and dock the boat
Each student will then undock the boat with main up and the jib hooked up, ready to hoist. All other students will assist as crew members to get off the dock and back to the dock.
Once out do a series of short tacks up the channel turn and do a series of safety jibes back down to the slip, using the correct commands for each. Review of points of sail.
Dock the boat under sail
Students will then take down and pack the sails and lines rinse off the boat. Leaving it in good condition for the next person or group of sailors.
Report any boat problems by email and on a form
Session 3- Meet at the boat, students arrive early and already rigged the boat with the main hoisted and the headsail hooked up, ready to hoist.
Each student will practice undocking and docking the boat with main up (jib luffing or not raised).
A series of tacks and jibes using the correct commands for each
Dock the boat under sail
Students will then take down and pack the sails and lines rinse off the boat. Leaving it in good condition for the next person or group of sailors.
Report any boat problems by email and on a form
Session 4 – Meet at the boat, students should have arrived early and already rigged the boat.
Undock the boat and head out to the main channel (wind permitting)
Practice all points of sail and right of way rules.
Students practice docking the boat under sail.
Introduction to figure 8 for man overboard maneuver
Students will then take down and pack the sails and lines rinse off the boat. Leaving it in good condition for the next person or group of sailors.
Report any boat problems on the form
Session 5 - Meet at the boat, students should have arrived early and already rigged the boat.
An introduction to the OB. How to lower it, start it and use it to pull in and out of the slip. No reverse, push off the dock by hand. Pull back in, when to stop any forward motion.
Each student will then undock the boat with the OB and all other students will assist as crew members to get off the dock and back on the dock.
Once out raise the sails and do a series of short tacks up the channel turn and do a series of jibes back down to the slip using the correct commands for each.
Practice figure 8 and man overboard
Students will then take down and pack the sails and lines rinse off the boat. Leaving it in good condition for the next person or group of sailors.
Report any boat problems by email and on a form
Class Scheduling Request & Sailing Enquiries
