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Basic Crewing/Sailing Course - Tacoma, Training Sail #1 - Suddenly, Des Moines Marina

Field trip: Basic Crewing/Sailing Course

Basic Crewing/Sailing Course - Tacoma, Training Sail #1 - Suddenly, Des Moines Marina

Second training sail for students of Tacoma's Basic Crewing/Sailing Course.

Contacts

Tom Davis
Tom Davis
Primary Leader
  • For Beginners (Getting Started Series)

Sail time: 12:00 to 4:00

Location: Suddenly is located at the Des Moines Marina on "B" Dock, slip 20, directly in front of Anthony's Homeport.

Suddenly will give you a full sailing experience which will require the complete rigging of lines and sails. Suddenly has tiller steering which gives quick helm response and great feel of the boat.

Please call one hour prior to the start of class to make sure sailing weather conditions are not above my 20 knot max!  cell: 206 999-5115

I'm looking forward to sailing with you!          Thanks, Tom

This is the second of four sails included in the Tacoma Branch's Basic Crewing/Sailing Course.  Students of the course should only sign up for one Training Sail #2 activity.

An outline of topics that will be covered during this training sail is shown below.  Please review the related material in your course text book before the sail and make sure you ask any questions necessary for you to understand the concept being covered.

Sail activities will take place rain or shine.  The activity may, however, be canceled due to high wind.  Call you skipper 1 hour before the start of the activity to make sure it is still a go.  Please show up on time.

Route/Place

Suddenly, Des Moines Marina

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

At The Dock

  • Knots demo: bowline, round turn and 2 half hitches, clove hitch, figure 8.
  • Review process for preparing boat to leave the dock - safety brief, crew positions, difference between “prepare to” and “do” cast off.

Under Power

  • Outline your process for stowing fenders and dock lines and making boat ready to sail;
  • Discuss any right-of-way situations you encounter;
  • Where is the wind?  Discuss onboard, water and land signs for identifying wind direction. 
  • Review all steps of hoisting/setting sails.

Under Sail

  • Review all concepts covered in 1st training sail - during the sail, mention names of all running and standing rigging and parts of the boat;
  • Adjusting sail shape - halyard tension/cunningham, outhaul tension.  Changing shape to match wind strength.
  • Adjusting headsail trim - why first?, fairlead position (slowly head up and watch telltales break)
  • Adjusting mainsail trim - use of the traveler vs main sheet;
  • Practice tacking, rotate crew - sail to an upwind “mark”;
  • Sail all points of sail and discuss sail trim as heading changes, rotate crew;
  • Practice jibing, rotate crew, demonstrate sailing “by the lee”;
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