Basic Cruising Certification Class

US SAILING Basic Cruising Certification Competent Skipper Sailing Lessons

Building on the skills that you gained from Basic Keelboat or equivalent experience we’ll teach you to safely and confidently skipper mid-sized keelboats with complicated electrical, plumbing and propane systems. You’ll gain the knowledge and know-how to take day-trips around the bay. The boats are quite luxurious at this level most sleep 6 and we provide everything that you would need to enjoy a 1st class hotel like experience!

Description

This 4-day, 32-hour course takes you beyond the basics through all the skills and knowledge necessary to skipper mid-sized sailboats independently on San Francisco Bay, the Great Lakes, or most near-coastal waters around the country. For this course, we use substantial cruising auxiliary sailboats from 30′ to 32′, all with inboard diesel engines, wheel steering, and all the amenities that make cruising not only possible but fun! Graduates earn US SAILING’s Basic Cruising Certification, and qualify to skipper Club Nautique boats up to 35′.

Topics Covered Include

Cruising Auxiliary Boat Systems (Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical)
Navigation
- Chart Reading
- Taking Bearings
- Course Plotting
Docking and Departures Using Wheel Steering
Use of Compass and Steering a Compass Course
Weather Forecasting
Heavy Weather Sailing
Use of VHF Marine Radio
Anchorages, Anchor Types, and Overnight Anchoring Techniques
Close Quarters Maneuvering Using Inboard Diesel Engine
Alternative Crew Overboard Maneuvers
Handling Emergency Situations
- Fire Prevention and Fighting
- Loss of Propulsion
- Loss of Steering
- Towing