Competent Keelboat
Racing Crew
(VSC504)

Prerequisites:

Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA 101), CYA White Sail III or Coastal Cruising,

General Description:

This course is designed for owners, skippers and crew to assist them in their keelboat racing programs. The student  advances through sailing knowledge, seamanship, sail trim and the winning team attitude to be a valued contributing crew member on boats 24- 45ft competing in Regatta and Distance races. ( e.g. Southern Straits Classic, Swiftsure International, Whidbey Island Race Week, Cadillac Van Isle 360, Round Saltspring).

The student participates as a crew member aboard a Beneteau First 36.7  racer/cruiser competing in a Vancouver Area Racing Council and/ or three other yacht club series. Students participate in 2  practices and 4 races as an integral part of the crew.

This course is for men & women with sailing experience and good fitness levels. Successful candidates  receive a VSC  Certificate for completion.

SAILING SKILLS

1. 16 hours (minimum) racing as integral part of crew
2. Review  PIYA Category 1 Safety Equipment Requirements and inspect yacht for compliance
3. Demonstrate the seven racing crew positions (Bowman, Mast, Pit, Cockpit Trimmer, Cockpit Grinder, Main Trimmer, Helmsman)
4. Demonstrate as helm and crew proper sail trim for  close hauled, beating, reaching, running, tacking, jibing, pointing, footing- off , feathering and luffing
5. Describe sail shapes, genoa- mainsail interaction and crew communication ( the gears) for advanced sail trimming
6. Demonstrate methods of achieving target boat speeds from Polar diagram as helmsman and crew
7. Describe the proper selection of sails on a J/24 and Beneteau First 36.7 for all wind and sea conditions  
8. Sail a compass course for 30 minutes
9. Demonstrate correct crew procedures for hoisting, setting, trimming, jibing, dousing and packing a spinnaker
10. Demonstrate procedures to recover Course to Steer (CTS) and Speed following a broach
11. Demonstrate successful recovery of Man Overboard (MOB)
12. Demonstrate how to call puffs, direct helmsman for emergency course changes and report competition's point, speed and sail trim

SAILING KNOWLEDGE

1. Describe the theory of true and apparent wind
   Describe the theory of sailing using force diagrams.
2. Describe with the aid of diagrams the causes of lee and weather helm and methods of correcting them.
3. Describe the reasons for preference of slight weather helm, sail selection (including full sails or reefed sails), mast position and mast rake.
4. Describe 3 sail making technologies and their application to racing sails
5. Describe the effects on sail shape and sail interactions when adjusting the following:

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

6. Describe ISAF and the fundamental Rules of Racing 2005-2008

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

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

   WEATHER & NAVIGATION

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

13. Describe three sources of  on-line weather and tidal information
    
    SEAMANSHIP

14. Demonstrate tying  the following knots in less than ten seconds: Bowline (on clew ring, around waist, around boom), Square Knot ( joining two lines), 2 Turns with 2 Half Hitches ( tying  dock rings and fenders), sheet bend ( joining two lines), truckers hitch ( vang and cunningham), hangman's knot ( from lower spreader tip)
15. Demonstrate a safe procedure to climb to the masthead to clear and replace a halyard during moderate sailing conditions (climbing is optional)
16. Complete successful recovery of Man Overboard as skipper and crew
17. Demonstrate putting on a PFD, safety harness and securing tether to jack-line in less than 20 seconds
18. Describe a layered system of clothing for coastal racing
19. Describe how to avoid seasickness
20. Describe the treatment for seasickness
21. 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, selection of clothing, and the need for at least three crew on deck at all times.
22. Describe reasons why, when and how you would  "heave to"
23. Demonstrate how to take a depth sounding using two different methods.
24. Demonstrate how to secure a boat to a dock and rafting to another boat
25. Describe how the boat should be handled and what actions should be taken when the following emergencies occur while under sail-
    • The boat is dismasted
    • The boat runs aground on a lee shore, windward shore, falling tide and rising tide
26. Describe how the boat should be handled and what remedial action should be taken when the following emergencies occur while under power:
    • The engine cooling water fails to flow
    • The engine fails in a crowded marina
    • The engine fails in a busy channel
27. Describe the skipper's responsibilities and the crew's action for the following:
    • Clearing the Start line
    • Offering assistance to yachtsmen in trouble.
    • Permission to board.
    • Permission and entitlement to come alongside.
    • Permission and entitlement to cross adjacent boats when rafted.
    • Flag etiquette: National flag, Courtesy flag, Burgee/house flag, Division Flag
    • Drinking alcohol on-board
    • Lines dangling over side.
    • Fenders over side when underway.
    • Checking boat's appearance (shipshape & Bristol).
28. List the documents required and procedures followed when entering U.S./ Canadian  territorial waters.

Enrollment:

• year round availability

• $675 CDN includes 8 sessions

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

• ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing, Booklet $20

• Hand-bearing Compass $ 55

• see Class Schedules