Requirements for the advancement to Skipper
Knots:
Two half hitches, sheet bend, bowline, whip a line, heaving a line properly
Terminology:
Irons, pinching, pointing, footing, close hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, run, abeam, abaft, yawl, ketch, schooner, catamaran, catboat, cutter, motor sailer, bilge, lift, header, backwind, blanket, covering, lee and weather helm, sailing by the lee, standing rigging, running rigging, pitch pole
Parts of the boat:
Skeg, keel, coaming, thwart, fiberglass (cloth, resin, gel coat), spinnaker pole, whisker pole, spreaders, boom crutch, backstay, roach, reef points, tell tails, scallops, rip stop, bow sprit, boomkin, spinnaker sheet and guy, spinnaker uphaul and downhaul, hiking straps, jam cleat, cam cleat, winch, brummel hooks
Knowledge:
Proper equipment for a boat, anchoring properly, taking proper care of a boat, proper care of sails, folding sails, boat and sail storage, direction of wind by name (all 16 points), diagram and label sailing circle, rounding all marks properly, basic racing rules, favored end of starting line, basic starting techniques, current and tide, full knowledge of SHYC race circular, lodging a protest
Sailing Performance:
Benchmark: Confidently sail an Optimist in moderate to heavy wind in Nantucket Sound and perform the following:
Sail an Optimist properly in moderate wind
Demonstrate proper roll tacks
"s" jibes and dock landings in strong winds,
Safety position,
Compete in one or more series for one season,
Compete in two or more regattas,
Row a skiff forward and backward,
Feather oars,
Land properly at moored boat and dock.
Boat Etiquette:
Corinthian sailing, conduct as a visiting yachtsman
Instructor
Discretion:
Before
advancing a student to Skippers the instructor the Head Instructor should feel
confident that this student is able to skipper an
Optimist without an instructor to all parts of the harbor and in Nantucket Sound
in moderate or heavy winds. Old Mates should be
familiar with all racing rules and basic tactics.