Our Basic Keelboat certification package is a comprehensive lifetime preparation course that is a place for participants to learn how to sail. It is designed both for students who have no sailing experience and for those who have experience, but want to be sure they learn to sail the right way, from the ground up.
With an emphasis on practical training and experience learning to sail, you will learn all the essentials of sailing quickly and more thoroughly than you thought possible. You will be at the helm - learning to sail - on the morning of your first class, and in command of the boat through all of the fundamental maneuvers by the next afternoon. While you learn about sailing using practical training, you will enjoy several short classroom sessions sprinkled throughout the course.
Successful completion prepares you to:
- Skipper 18' - 27' boats in protected waters with light to moderate conditions.
- Learn how to sail and crew on similar-sized yachts in open water and more challenging conditions, like San Francisco Bay.
- Qualify for OCSC's Basic Cruising course.
TOPICS COVERED
-
Nautical terminology
The critical job of clear communications.
-
Sailing theory
Why sails move a boat forward, even into the wind.
-
Safety on the water
It's always more fun when everyone is and feels safe.
-
Basic knot tying
Learning the art of knots is a gratifying part of your training.
-
How to properly rig a sailboat
Preparedness is the key to a successful sail.
See All
Docking and departing from a slip under power
To ensure the beginning and end of your sails are easy and dependable.Safe marina procedures
How to enter and depart any marina safely and confidently.The four basic maneuvers of a sailboat
Tacking, gybing, heading up, and bearing away.Points of sail
Names for angles of the boat to the wind when you are steering straight.Sail trim
Sail trim is vital to your boat speed and control. You’ll learn how to adjust your sails to the best advantage.Crew overboard recovery procedure
Learn to quickly recover a crew who has fallen overboard.Reefing
Learn how to reduce sails to control the boat in higher winds.Right-of-way rules
What to do when near other vessels to ensure you avoid collisions.Equipment regulations
Learn what equipment is required by the Coast Guard and how to use it.Tides and currents
Precisely forecast the speed and direction of currents throughout the Bay and elsewhere, as well as determine how to compensate for them while sailing.Aids to navigation
Sign posts of the sea. Learn how they help you stay in deep water.Nautical chart reading
Charts are like maps, only much more precise and detailed for the challenging nautical environment. Know how to use them to stay aware of your location.