SAILING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Sailing Fundamentals (SF) course
combines the training programs of the American Sailing Association and the U. S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary. Graduates of this seven-lesson course (approved by the
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)) will be
credited with completion of the classroom portion of the ASA class.
Topics include:
- INTRODUCTION TO SAILING
-- the sailboat and the wind; the basic boat; responsibilities of the
skipper and crew; alcohol and drug abuse; federal requirements for
recreational boats; attaching and raising sails; getting the boat moving;
tacking and jibing; ending the sail; docking.
- BASIC SAILING -- sail
trim; what makes a boat sail; points of sail; rules of the road under sail;
communications; stopping the boat.
- SAFETY AND SEAMANSHIP
-- safety harness; deck safety; hypothermia and clothing; seasickness;
rescuing a man overboard; sailing in confined waters.
- BASIC SEAMANSHIP SKILLS
-- daysail planning; chart symbols; aids to navigation; anchors and their
uses; knots; dock lines; anchoring; docking and mooring under sail.
- BASIC COASTAL CRUISING I
-- running lights; duties of skipper and crew for cruising; rules of the
road under power; essential safety equipment; outboard engine operations;
troubleshooting the engine; handling a vessel under power.
- BASIC COASTAL CRUISING II
-- sail selection; weather; heavy-weather sailing; reefing systems; the
magnetic compass; preparing for coastal cruising; running aground and other
nuisances; reefing; sailing a compass course; steering with the sails.
- SPECIAL SAILING INFORMATION
-- dinghy sailing; sailboards, catamarans; launching, storing, and
maintaining your boat.
- A laminated color chart of
U.S. Aids to Navigation System is included.
Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to
individuals who successfully complete this course.
Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded
certificates and cards.
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