Learn to Sail

Prerequisites: Swim Rating plus Learn to Sail class or Intro for Experienced Sailors class
Recommended: 5-10 days of independent sailing practice in Tech dinghies. Intermediate Sailing class.

The Provisional Rating aims to assure the Pavilion and safety staff that all members can safely and competently care for themselves, their guests, and the Tech Dinghy while sailing on the Charles River. Every member is expected to take the check-off as soon as they are ready. Anyone taking out a Tech with only a basic swim rating may be asked to use a single or double-reefed sail (reduced size) or not be allowed to sail based on the wind conditions. Check the board behind the front desk for current restrictions!

Passing your Provisional rating is the first step in sailing all of the other boats at the Pavlion! You may want to get rated for the Lynx catboat, Laser, 420 sloop, 29er skiff, or foiling UFO or Waszp.

You may ask to work with a dockstaff or experienced volunteer on your Provisional Checklist anytime, but because these check-off sessions are 1:1, you may be asked to circle back another time if it is busy. For example, weekdays between noon – 4:00 pm are more likely to have available dockstaff for Provisional Ratings. Volunteers may be more available in the evening and on non-collegiate-regatta weekends.

Please note that completing your checklist may require a few separate visits. For one thing, there must be enough wind for the sailing portion! You can pick up where you left off on the checklist at any point, and it is not necessary to complete it all in one attempt, nor with the same volunteer or dockstaff.

Sailing and Maneuvering –on the water

You shall demonstrate the following sailing skills, on the water, in a Tech Dinghy. The best way to prepare for the sailing portion of your Provisional skills evaluation is to simply sail – a lot! The next best way if you need some further instruction and coaching, is to take the Intermediate Sailing class.

• Leaving the dock
• Beat, reach, run, jibe and tack
• Getting out of irons
• Proper trim of sail at all times
• Proper trim of boat at all times
• Use of centerboard (explain when it should be adjusted)
• Person overboard procedure
• Landing at dock

Precautions and Safety

Know and follow the Pavilion Policies & Procedures. You must pass a verbal quiz on the following questions:

• Restricted sailing areas
• Maximum number of people in boats
• Procedure after capsize
• Explain recall signals (Rule 16)
• Number of lifejackets required

Rules of the Road

• Fundamental rule: Avoid all confrontations & collisions whenever possible
• Three basic sailing rules between sailboats:
  • Port/Starboard
  • Windward/Leeward
  • Overtaking
• Right of way between sailboats, powerboats, and rowboats:
  • Sailboats over powerboats, unless a powerboat is limited in its ability to maneuver
    (i.e. Charles Riverboat cruise boats)
  • Rowboats over sailboats
    (particularly crew shells & sculls)

Rigging the Tech Dinghy

You must independently demonstrate competency in necessary knots, rigging, derigging, and storing the Tech dinghy and all equipment:

• Knots: bowline, figure eight, stunsail tack bend, clove hitch, cleat hitch
• Rig boom, sail, and rudder
• Launch the boat
• Care of boat at the dock
• Set sail and make the boat ready
• Haul, unrig, and leave the boat on the dock
• Roll sail
• Reef sail to first and second reef points

If you need refreshers in preparation for this aspect of your Provisional rating, you can refer to the video library, ask for help from dockstaff or volunteers, or fellow sailors with more experience. We’ve all been beginners!