Rhode Island Sailing School

We offer customized training for all members to ensure both your safety and your enjoyment when on the water

WindPath Cruising Basics

Course Outline (subject to change)

I.  Cruising Introduction
Review of Sailing Concepts
       Parts of the Hull
       Wing keel
       The Rig
       Roller furling
        The interior
       Points of sail
Sailboat Dynamics
Apparent wind

II.  Basic Cruising Systems
The Engine
The Electrical System
The Fresh Water System
The VHF Radio
The Stove, Oven & Gas grill
The Head
The Bilge System


III.  Preparations
Weather
Preparation before boarding
Boarding
Onboard Safety Check
Sailing Environment Check
Rigging the Sails on the Cat 350 MKII
Working as a crew

IV.  Your First Sail:
Maneuvering under power Steering
Windage
Stopping
Prop Walk
Leaving the Dock
Unfurling the Main
Unfurling the jib
Sailing upwind
Sailing downwind
Tacking
Jibing
Furling the sails
Returning to the dock
Returning to the slip
Securing the boat


V.  Improving Your Skills:
Adjusting sail shape
Shortening sail
       Roller furling
Anchoring
       Types of anchors
       Setting the anchor
       Anchoring decisions
       Anchoring under power
       Raising an anchor
Knots
Coiling a line/Heaving a line

VI.  The Sailing Environment:
Tides & Current
Navigation Rules
Navigation Aids
Reading a Chart
Planning with Chart & Compass
Compass variation and Deviation
Plotting
Determining Your Position
Time, Speed, & Distance
Danger Bearings
Electronics
       Chart Plotter
       Depth
       Speed
       Wind
       Auto Pilot
       Radar

VII  Health, Safety and Emergencies
Hypothermia, seasickness and heat emergencies
On deck safety
Overboard recovery methods
       Quick-Stop recovery
       Lifesling type recovery
       Quick turn recovery
       Under power recovery
       Chart Plotter MOB
Running aground
Fire Safety
Steering failure
Jammed furler
Towing
Flooding
Signaling for help
Safety Equipment