Let's Go Sailing
Course Description
The USCG Auxiliary's Let's Go Sailing (LGS) is a fun course for beginning sailors. The course is designed for the person who wants to begin sailing in a small boat, learning each step the right way, and in the process build the skills and confidence that will serve as the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyment. It uses a short, well illustrated text published by the American Sailing Association to introduce fledgling sailors to the equipment, nomenclature and safe operation of small sailboats. Each of the text's four chapters has review questions and there is an extensive glossary and index. The course has it's own exam and certificate of accomplishment.
By itself, Let's Go Sailing is NOT approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) as a boating safety course. Only when taught in conjunction with NASBLA approved USCG Auxiliary courses such as Boating Safely, America's Boating Course or Boating Skills and Seamanship, can a state boating safety certificate be issued. Let's Go Sailing may be offered as a non-NASBLA approved, stand alone course. This would be appropriate for students who do not need or want NASBLA certification.
Topics include:
- BEGINNING TO SAIL -- the sailboat and the wind, the sailor's language, parts of a boat, sails and control terms, sailing terms, points of sail, how a sail works, tacking vs. jibing, heading up, heading down, in irons, sail care and folding.
- LET'S GO SAILING -- rigging, launching, getting going, your first sail, close hauled sailing, coming about/tacking, running-sailing, downwind, steering, jibing, safety considerations.
- SAFE SAILING -- capsizing, righting, scoop recovery method, rescuing, heavy air sailing, upwind and close reaching, downwind, man overboard, what to wear, cold and hypothermia, dealing with the sun.
- ADVANCED TOPICS -- crewing, centerboards, planning your sail, wind and weather, tides and currents, sailing in a confined area, steering and sailing rules, docking/mooring/beaching, knots and lines.
Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete this course.
Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates and cards.
Contact: Hank Foglino, DVC-EM
Chief, Course Management Division
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This page last updated on March 30, 2008
Comments: DC-E