AFLOAT SKILLS - Intermediate Cruising

Note: Boat should be 8 to 12 meters long, sloop rigged with an inboard engine.

You must be able to:

1. Perform routine daily and weekly maintenance procedures on engine;
   
2. Check all Sail Canada recommended equipment aboard regarding its stowage and condition;
   
3. Sail a boat of the given size as both skipper and crew:
   
   1. on all points of sail, tacking, gybing, and sailing to weather efficiently,
      
   2. execute a series of tacks from close hauled to close hauled (six in ten minutes) using appropriate commands, without oversteering or losing boat speed unduly;
      
   3. execute a series of gybes while running (six in ten minutes) using appropriate commands, without losing control of the boom or steering;
      
   4. using the appropriate commands for all turns and changes of tack, assume any point of sail as directed and adjust sails and trim appropriately within a maximum of three minutes;
      
   5. sail a close hauled course (within 5 degrees) with sails set, keeping foresail telltales flying efficiently and boat moving well for a five minute period;
      
   6. sail a compass course with sails set properly, with no land references for a minimum of five minutes;
      
4. Manoeuvre the boat under power in a minimum space;
   
5. Reef the main sail while underway in an efficient manner;
   
6. Stop the bow of the boat within 4 feet of a fixed marker in various wind and sea conditions while under power in order to pick up a buoy;
   
7. Dock with stern or bow to dock or shore using a bow or stern anchor;
   
8. Apply Rules 1 through 19, 40 and 45 of the Collision Regulations;
   
9. Demonstrate the use of a spring line to spring a boat off of and on to a dock;
   
10. Demonstrate basic use of the VHF marine radio, including Safety, Distress and Urgency calling procedures;
    
11. Check out that all systems on boat are in working order; engine, stove, electronics, sails, hull, deck hardware etc;
    
12. Prepare a suitable hot meal aboard the boat while in harbour, demonstrating suitable choice of food and drink and economy of resources;
    
13. Demonstrate suitable methods and precautions while towing a dinghy;
    
14. Demonstrate how to take soundings using electronic and manual methods;
    
15. Demonstrate the ‘triangle method’ and one alternative method (i.e. quick stop, fast return, life sling, etc.) of returning to a crew overboard in daytime in moderate winds safely and efficiently with in three minutes using appropriate communications, commands and a spotter;
    
16. Identify sources of navigation information and local knowledge;
    
17. Lay off a course and determine compass heading and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) (assuming no current or leeway);
    
18. Read a chart and identify corresponding landmarks and aids to navigation;
    
19. Take a fix using visual bearings;
    
20. Determine the depth above or below chart datum and apply;
    
21. Pilot a boat into unfamiliar harbour or anchorage by day using charts and publications and application of passage planning techniques;
    
22. Throw a heaving line to a target a distance of 10 meters away, within 2 meters, in three out of five attempts;
    
23. Tie a rolling hitch;
    
24. Obtain and interpret the Marine forecast;
    
25. Act as skipper or responsible crew on a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours;
    
26. With specific reference to the boats engine;
    
    
    1. Describe and identify the following engine systems: 
       1. ignition; 
       2. electrical; 
       3. fuel; 
       4. propulsion; 
       5. cooling;
          
    2. Describe the dangers of excessive engine cranking
       

ENDORSEMENTS

Flying Sails

1. Pack, set, hoist, fly, gybe and douse a cruising spinnaker; 

Marlinspike Seamanship

2. Make an eye splice in laid line;
   
3. Whip a line