Competent Keelboat
Racing Crew Program
VSC504

See Schedule

General Description: The student participates and learns to be a competent crew member aboard a  J24 or Beneteau First 36.7 One Design  racer/cruiser  competing in  Vancouver based regattas and  medium distance coastal races.

Students complete a pre-study  based on the text ``Getting Started in Sailboat Racing`` (Cort & Stearns), 4 on-the-water seminars and 4 local races as an integral part of a crew. Successful candidates  receive a VSC Competent Racing Crew certificate for completion

Over the past 3 years this course has helped sailors participate in coastal races as  competent, speed contributing and confident crew on keelboats 24- 45ft.

Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA 101), CYA White Sail III, Basic Coastal Cruising or equivalent experience

 

SAILING SKILLS

1. Complete 4 races (minimum) as integral part of crew

2. Demonstrate the seven racing crew positions (Bowman, Mast, Pit, Cockpit Trimmer, Cockpit Grinder, Main Trimmer, Helmsman)
3. Demonstrate as helm and crew proper sail trim for Close hauled, Close Reaching, Beam Reaching, Broad reaching, Running and by- the- lee
4. Demonstrate efficient tacking, jibing and sail changes
5. Demonstrate correct crew procedures for hoisting, setting, trimming, jibing, dousing and packing a spinnaker
6. Describe sail shapes, genoa- mainsail interaction and crew communication ( the gears) for advanced sail trimming
7. Demonstrate methods of achieving target boat speeds from Polar Diagram as helmsman and crew
8. Describe the proper selection of sails on a J/24 and Beneteau First 36.7 for all wind and sea conditions  
9. Sail a compass course for 30 minutes
10. Demonstrate successful recovery of Man Overboard (MOB)
11. Demonstrate how to call puffs, direct helmsman for emergency course changes and report competitor point, speed and sail trim

SAILING KNOWLEDGE

• Review  PIYA Category 1 Safety Equipment Requirements
• Describe the theory of true and apparent wind
  Describe the theory of sailing using force diagrams.
• Describe the reasons for preference of slight weather helm, sail selection (including full sails or reefed sails), mast position and mast rake.
• Describe 3 sail making technologies and their application to racing sails
• Describe the effects on sail shape and sail interactions when adjusting the following:

  Luff tension	Outhaul	Downhaul
  Leech line	Boom vang	Cunningham
  Backstay tension	Jib fairleads	Jib sheet tension
  Mainsheet	Traveller	Spinnaker Sheet Tweekers
  In-hauler	Babystay tension	Running backstays
  Fractionator	Topping lift

• Describe ISAF Fundamental Rules of Racing 2009-2013

• Describe the basic strategies and tactics for starting, upwind leg, downwind leg, reaching legs, and the finish

• Describe the foundation and elements of the Psychology of Winning and its application before and during a Race or Regatta

WEATHER & NAVIGATION

• Demonstrate functions and operation of instruments displaying Speed, Depth, VMG, AWS, TWS, Compass, SOG, COG, CTS, CMG, waypoints and routes
• Describe  cirrus, cirrostratus, altocumulus, stratocumulus, cumulonimbus and cumulus clouds and the weather expected to be associated with each
• Describe English Bay and Southern Straits (local weather) in relation to thermal and prevailing winds, and tidal currents.

• Describe three sources of  on-line weather and tidal information

SEAMANSHIP

• Demonstrate tying  the following knots blindfolded in less than ten seconds: Bowline (on clew ring, around waist, around boom), Sheet bend ( (joining two lines), 2 Turns with 2 Half Hitches ( tying  dock rings and fenders),  truckers hitch ( vang and cunningham), hangman's knot ( from lower spreader tip)
• Demonstrate how to secure a boat to a dock and rafting to another boat
• Demonstrate a safe procedure to climb to the masthead to clear and replace a halyard during moderate sailing conditions (climbing is optional)
• Complete successful recovery of Man Overboard as skipper and crew
• Recognize and treatment Hypothermia
• Demonstrate putting on a PFD, safety harness and securing tether to jack-line in less than 20 seconds
• Describe a layered system of clothing for coastal racing
• Describe how to avoid and treat seasickness
• Demonstrate  heavy weather precautions  including shortening sail, use of special equipment (safety harness, preventer, tweekers), doubling up of gear, special checks in areas liable to chafe, stowage of equipment (above and below decks),  bilge monitoring, problems of fatigue and the need for at least three crew on- deck at all times.
• Demonstrate how to take a depth sounding using two different methods.
• Describe how the boat should be handled and what actions should be taken when the following emergencies occur:
  • A crew member is injured or ill
  • The boat is dismasted
  • The boat runs aground on a lee shore, windward shore, falling tide and rising tide

Describe the skipper's responsibilities and the crew's action for the following:

• Clearing the START line
• Man Overboard
• Offering assistance to yachtsmen in trouble.
• Permission to board.
• Permission and entitlement to come alongside.
• Permission and entitlement to cross adjacent boats when rafted. 
• Checking boat's appearance (shipshape & Bristol)

Enrolment:

• year round availability

• $775 CDN includes 8 on-the-water sessions

• Getting Started in Sailboat Racing - Cort & Stearns $25

• A Manual of Sail Trim, Stuart H. Walker, Text $35

• ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing, Booklet $20

• Hand-bearing Compass $ 55