BCC Day Three

Preparation

Have the class go to the boat assigned for the third day. They should do a complete review of boat systems and complete the check-out prior to arrival at the boat of the instructor. Place a 30 min time limit for “self-discovery.” The class should “teach-back” all boat systems to the instructor prior to departure for the day’s exercises.

Boat Handling

Have each class participant conduct the same basic boat handling drills covered in day one

Basic boat handling skills

  • Departure from the slip.
  • Motoring clear of the fairway(s).
  • In clear water, transition from forward to reverse, while maintaining a steady head to wind orientation.
  • Back & Fill (Fairway Turn) in clear water.
  • Back & Fill in a fairway
  • Return to the slip

Administer the Test

At some point during the day, students should take the test. It is the option of the instructor when, however, three typical times to take the test might be while on a mooring ball at Ayala Cove, at the dock at Tradewinds, or back in the office after clean up.

Sail To Ayala Cove

Depart Marina Bay and sail to Ayala Cove. Providing time allows, as much of the day should be spent under sail as possible.

When approximately half way to Angel Island, bring the boat to a stop and complete a 2 or 3 bearing fix. From it obtain the Latitude and Longitude at your position. Compare this position to one obtained using a GPS.

Broad Reach to
Close Reach
Crew Overboard

During days one and two, students should have practiced the figure 8 crew overboard method.

On day three, students should be taught and practice the broad reach to close reach crew overboard method.

  • Starting on a broad reach quickly head up and through the wind stopping on a close reach.
  • Do NOT adjust the sail when heading up. Both sails should luff following the tack, allowing the boat to slow and stop.
  • Sail back to the crew in the water.

Picking Up a Mooring Ball

Differing conditions encountered while picking up a mooring ball at Ayala Cove make it nearly impossible to give a specific set of instructions for all situations. Some general guidelines follow.

Picking up a mooring in Ayala Cove

  • Two mooring balls are used … one off the bow, one off the stern.
  • When done, the bow should be pointed in the direction of Red Rock.
  • The mooring balls are color coded … white, yellow, or brown. Always pick up two mooring balls of the same color.
  • Depths vary in the mooring field from 3 to 6 feet (at a zero tide).
  • Once on a mooring, if the tide lowers, the boat may settle into the mud and be stuck until the tile raises.

There may be times when there is insufficient water in the mooring field to pick up a mooring. I these cases, return early to Marina Bay and use the TWSC practice buoys. Stress the need to know expected water depths anytime they are planning to moor in Ayala Cove.

Tradewinds preferred method of picking up mooring balls at Ayala Cove follows:

  • Pick up the forward ball first.
  • Use the 100+ foot mooring line for the bow mooring ball. Cleat one end on a bow cleat. Flake the mooring line on the foredeck using a figure 8 pattern.
  • Place the bow of the boat so the mooring ball is several feet aft of the bow. Feed the bitter end of the mooring line through the mooring ring on top of the ball and bring it back to the boat. Allow the line to feed out while the helms person back the boat to the rear mooring ball.
  • Back as straight as possible to the aft mooring ball. Leaving the ball slightly to port will allow the use of prop walk to move the boat closer to the mooring ball.
  • Place the stern quarter, or swim platform against the aft mooring ball and secure a line from the boat to the ball and back. A long dock line is generally sufficient.

If the mooring pick. up is not proceeding as planned, cast of the mooring line(s) and start over. Do not try to “Fix” the problem. A fouled propeller is too often the result.

Return to Marina Bay

Time permitting, motor from Ayala Cove over to Sam’s Anchor Café. Discuss the entrance, ferries, the two docks available for use at Sam’s, and the depth of water at those docks.

If time allows, visit Paradise Cove. This is possible location to anchor for lunch and/or the test.

Departing a Windward
Side Tie In Reverse

One final departure method should be learned. It can easily be practiced by docking in forward on the windward side of the D Dock pump out station.

Spring Off The Stern

  • Use a spring line from the boat’s bow, aft to a dock cleat located about mid-ships and back.
  • Place the motor into forward. The boat will move forward against the spring line, and when it reaches its limit, the stern will begin to swing away from the dock.
  • When the stern stops moving out, turn the wheel toward the dock to gain additional clearance.
  • When sufficient clearance has been gained, shift into neutral, center the wheel, ship into reverse and motor clear of the dock.
  • Remove the dock line while backing away.
  • Make sure to back well clear of the dock before shifting into forward.

Safely Note:
Never use a line that has a loop or knot in the bitter end. Doing so can result in the line getting jammed in the dock cleat!

Safely Note:
Take care to make sure the line does not get tangled or wrapped around the dock cleat!

Pump Out, Clean Up, Score the Tests, and Celebrate