Forces Acting On A Sailboat

Have a “white board” discussion of the forces that impact a sail boat, and what to expect from each. Cover each of the following:

Rudder Control

• Speed through the water produces current across the rudder.
• Current across the rudder is what provides rudder and turn control.

Wind

Pushes the boat in the same direction as the wind is blowing. The bow “blows down” faster than the stern. Left alone, the boat will slowly turn away from the wind until it is headed directly way from the wind.

Current

Pushes the boat in the same direction as the current is flowing. The orientation of the boat in relation to the current is generally not impacted. Current acts more or less equally on the bow and the stern.

Prop Walk

Prop walk is always present; however, it is generally only noticeable when in reverse. While in reverse, the back end will walk to either port or starboard depending on the direction of turn of the propeller. Direction of prop walk should be checked before an unfamiliar boat is moved.

Prop Wash

Prop wash is the action of a propeller in forward pushing current across the rudder. While in forward, if you turn the rudder, the boat will turn in the direction of the turned rudder, even without sufficient speed to have rudder control.

Inertia

A boat at rest wants to stay at rest … a boat in motion wants to stay in motion. Only an application of power will overcome inertia.

Momentum

Once in motion, the boat will want to continue in the same direction it is traveling.

Line Handling

Review the following knots learned in BKB

• Figure 8
• Bowline
• Cleat Hitch
• Clove Hitch
• Round Turn with Two Half Hitches
• Reef Knot
• Locking Coil

Introduce the following “new” knots

• Sheet Bend
• Rolling Hitch
• Double Sheet Bend

Vessel Check List

Note: The wind speed and direction questions refer to the observed conditions at the dock during the time the checkout is completed. Bay forecast information should be indicated under forecast notes.

Complete SAFETOGO and COOL procedures at this time.

Complete the pre-sail vessel checklist using BOTH the online and paper versions. Having one person do the online while another person does the part version will prevent this from taking too much time. Organize the class so that everyone has an opportunity to complete an online and a paper version during the class.

Discuss the roles for the various positions.

Skipper … safe operation of the boat, and safety of the crew

Helmsperson … steers the boat

Crewmember … assists in the safe operation of the boat

Watch/Lookout … Discuss Rule 5 of the NAVIGATION RULES

“Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.”

Terms to Introduce

• Stemhead Fitting
• Turnbuckle
• Chainplate
• Emergency Tiller
• Rode
• Ground Tackle
• Windlass
• Self-bailing Cockpit
• Binnacle
• Compass

Follow the standard SAFETOGO and COOL processes learned in BKB to get the boat ready to leave the slip and sail.

Dock lines are left on the dock. Each boat should have four stowed dock lines and a mooring line as standard equipment. The mooring line may be found in a net bag on the lazarette or on the stern pulpit.

Boat Systems
Terms to Introduce

• Hatch
• Companionway
• Cockpit Locker
• Transom
• Thru Hull Fitting
• Seacock
• Saloon
• Galley
• Head
• Auxiliary Engine
• Header Tank/Heat Exchanger
• Bilge
• Bilge Pump
• V-berth

BCC will be taught on a variety of boats with very difference systems. Each class will be exposed to three different boats and sets of boat systems.

Electrical System

Identify the vessel’s battery selector switch and power distribution panel and ensure all switches are in the proper position for getting underway.

• Examine all DC switches and discuss their purpose
• Examine all AC switches and discuss their purpose
• Ensure navigation lights (sidelights, stern light, steaming light, and anchor light) operate properly. Note any deficiencies on the Pre-Cruise List

Disconnect the AC “dock power”, using the following procedure:

1. Switch the AC power off on the boats AC Panel
2. Switch the AC power off at the dock electrical panel
3. Remove the AC power cord and stow safely on the dock

Anchor and Ground Tackle

The anchor and ground tackle should be examined. Bronze, Silver and Gold fleet boats should be equipped with two anchors, each with an appropriate length of rode.

Boats that have a primary anchors with part chain and part rope rode should also be outfitted with a mushroom anchor as a sentinel (also known as a kellet).

Prior to leaving the dock,

• The rode should be examined for ease of running out.
• The anchor should have a “snubber” attached to keep the anchor from prematurely deploying.
• All fittings and shackles should be examined.
• The bitter end should be secured to the vessel

Thru Hulls

Locate all thru hulls appropriate to the specific boat.

CRITICAL NOTE: The raw water intake for the engine MUST be open. If found in a closed position, Tradewinds staff should be notified.

With each member of the class, trace the path of the raw water

• Through the thru hull
• To the raw water strainer
• To the impeller
• Into the header tank/heat exchanger
• Out through the exhaust system

All other thru hulls should be examined and left closed unless actively being used.

Engine

Check and discuss the following:

• Verify coolant level inside the overflow tank. Generally, the header tank will not be opened to check coolant level.
• Check the oil level.  The oil level should fall between the “max fill” and “add” lines. 
  Note:  Oil that is half way between the two lines is normal, and should not be written up as “half a quart low”.  Use the “slider” in the online system to indicate oil level on the dip stick. On the paper version draw a pencil line at the level of the oil.
• Check the engine belts.  Belts should be snug, but able to deflect approximately ½ inch.  You should be able to twist the belt approximately ½ way around.

Fuel System

Check and discuss the following:

• Verify, and document on the Pre-Cruise Check List, the level of the fuel.
• Trace the path of fuel from tank to injectors.

A basic description of the fuel supply system should be provided, including:

• Fuel Tank location
• Primary fuel filter (separator)
• Secondary Filter
• High Pressure fuel pump
• High Pressure fuel lines
• Fuel Injectors  

Marine Sanitation Device

An MSD Type III is a holding tank, designed to store waste for later pump out or overboard discharge in a lawful area.

Regulations require that no discharge of raw sewage can take place within the “three mile limit.” Additional regulations may apply that restrict the discharge of waste outside the three mile limit in marine protection areas. While inside the three mile limit, the handle that allows discharge overboard must be locked in place or removed.

Head (Marine Toilet)

A key rule for the use of a marine toilet is; “If it didn’t go through you, it doesn’t belong in the head!” Bottle caps, apple cores, and feminine products have all been found in heads on Tradewinds boats. All of which were clogged. Even toilet paper has the potential to clog the system, and should be bagged in a plastic bag and stored for disposal after the sail.

Stress to each class member that a skipper MUST train his crew on the proper use of a marine toilet before leaving the dock!

Review the proper operation of the head with the class participants, making sure to point out the following:

• Water intake (this thru-hull should have been located during the inspection of thru-hulls previously conducted.)
• Wet bowl/Dry bowl switch. Note with the class that the switch should only be in the wet bowl position if the water intake valve is open. Working the pump while the thru-hull is closed and the switch is in the wet bowl position will damage the system.
• Fresh water from the sink faucet may be used to “flush” the bowl. In this case, the switch should be in the dry bowl position.