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Sailing Classes

The purpose of Polaris sailing classes is to enable our membership to develop an understanding and appreciation of the concepts and techniques of sailing. Upon completion of the beginning course the student should have developed enough knowledge and basic skills to participate as a competent crew member and should also develop an awareness of the responsibilities and skills required to ensure the safety of the crew and vessel.

Topics include:

  • Parts of the boat and other sailing terminology
  • Basic sailing theory
  • Knots and cleat attachment
  • Rules of the road
  • Tacking and jibing (some spell it jybeing)
  • Sailing Etiquette
  • Man-Overboard rescue techniques
  • Boating Safety

The text book for the classes will be "Basic Keelboat" by Monk Henry, and Kim Downing from the American Sailing Association which can be obtained at West Marine, or Seabreeze Nautical Books.

Sailing Class # 1
Orientation class. This class will include such things as the basic construction of a keel boat.  In addition, the class will be taken to an area where they can see some of the basic differences in keel designs, and gain an understanding of their functionality. If you have questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Kirk at kigardner@ucsd.edu.

Sailing Class #2
Sails and how they function (Hosting, Tacking, Jibing, Trimming)
Student Preparation: Textbook - Basic Keelboat. Review pages 6 & 7. Read pages 8 through 23, and page 49.
If you have questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Kirk at kigardner@ucsd.edu.

Sailing Class #3
Basic Sailing, fundamentals of Sailing, heaving to, basic seamanship skills, rules of the road.
Student Preparation: Text - Basic Keelboat. Review pages 4 through 25, including pages 28 & 29. Read pages 26 & 27, 30 through 33, and pages 36 & 37.
If you have questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Kirk at kigardner@ucsd.edu.

Sailing Class #4
Safety and Seamanship, Navigation, understanding Hypothermia, Man overboard rescue procedure, basic VHF Marine Radio procedures. Review: Sail Trim (jib and main - luff and telltails), Man Overboard & Sailing in traffic.
If you have questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Kirk at kigardner@ucsd.edu.

Sailing Class #5
Introduction to Navigation.
Student Preparation: Text - Basic Keelboat. Read Page 69.
If you have questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Kirk at kigardner@ucsd.edu.

Sailing Class #6
Final Exam.
Student Preparation: Text - Basic Keelboat. Read remaining pages. Review all reading. Review all previous material.
If you have questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Kirk at kigardner@ucsd.edu.

ABOUT OUR CLASSES

Classes are taught by experienced skippers on a voluntary basis.

Member skippers are encouraged to audit the classroom sessions in order to understand what we are teaching.

Note: These lessons do not qualify graduates for an ASA certificate.

 
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