Sailing Skills and Seamanship 1 Flashcards
What are (4) common preventable factors sailing morbidity and mortality?
1) Operator inattention
2) Inexperience
3) Alcohol use
4) Weather - high winds and waves
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26674142/
What percentage and 2 events lead to the most common fatal accidents when sailing?
Approximately 70% of fatal accidents were related to drowning either falling overboard and/or capsizing.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30709070/
Describe how a sail is alike and how a sail is different from an airplane wing:
Aerodynamics behave similar to that of a vertical airplane wing.
A sail is not a rigid structure, and changing conditions cause changes in sail shape.
What percentage and what piece of equipment do most sailing drowning victims lack?
Approximately 80% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30709070/
Name 3 reasons to learn sailing language:
- Utility
- Economy
- Exactitude
Why is sailing language considered odd?
It is full of historical idiomatic language. In other words it is figurative, and the whole cannot be derived from its parts. E.g. “The cat is out of the bag” refers to the cat-o-nine-tails used for punishment and discipline being brought out of its bag for use.
What steers the boat?
Rudder
Name 2 things that controls a rudder?
wheel and tiller
Historically where do the terms starboard and larboard originate?
Stojorn (sounds like starn) referred to the rudder which was slightly right of center historically, so the starboard became the right side which typically positions the helmsman left of the tiller.
Because the view was better from the left side of the boat looking forward, it was most commonly used to dock with and for loading with a load board or larboard. Consequently, larboard was changed to port because larboard and starboard sounded so similar.
Rear of the boat?
Stern
Front of the boat?
Bow
Anything towards the bow of the boat?
Forward
Anything towards the stern of the boat?
Aft
Past the bow?
Ahead
Past the stern?
Astern
What are the 4 standard nautical positions in relation to the boat?
Port
Starboard
Stern
Bow
What are other common standard positioning systems other than nautical position?
Cardinal directions: NESW
Standard anatomical position.
Body of the vessel composed of the keel and sides of the boat.
Hull
Right front
Starboard bow
Left front
Port bow
Longitudinal/Vertical structure beneath the centerline of a sailboat?
Keel
Name the 3 functions of a keel.
- provide ballast
- provide stability
- prevent leeway (lateral resistance)
Depth of the portion of boat below the water?
Draft
Widest point on a boat?
beam
Historically keels were made from?
hollowed out tree trunks
Flat, vertical (though inclined occasionally) terminus of the stern.
Transom
Portion of hull above the water?
freeboard
Portion of the boat, designated by a strip separating the parts of the boat above and below the water.
Waterline
Rightmost widest point
starboard beam
Leftmost widest point
port beam
Middlemost part of the boat
midships
Right rear of the boat
starboard quarter`
Left rear of the boat
port quarter
A line that raises/lowers the sail.
halyard
Name 4 functions of the hull.
- Support the crew, equipment, and rigging.
- Allow efficient movement through the water.
- Resist counterproductive forces.
- Allows the boat to remain upright.
The power system of the boat is the ___.
rig
3 basic components of the rig.
- Rigging
- Sails
- Spars
What are the 2 types of rigging?
Standing and Running
General term for the rigid members that support and extend the sails?
Spars
Length of the Boat from Bow to Stern
Length Overall (LOA)
What is not incorporated in length overall?
Bow sprits and stern sprits.
What is LWL and how is it different from LOA?
LWL is length at the waterline. LOA includes the length of the overhang of the bow and stern.
Name 2 retractable bottom appendages on a sailboat?
Centerboard and daggerboards
What is the difference between a centerboard and a daggerboard?
A centerboard pivots towards the stern of the boat. A daggerboard retracts vertically.
Name the 2 synonyms for the stripe along the outside of the boat above the designed waterline?
bootstripe and boottop
What is the function of the bootstripe?
It’s a visual reference to determine proper loading of the boat.
Name and explain 3 hull trim patterns.
- Too much weight forward (bow is lower than stern)
2.Too much weight aft ( stern is lower than the bow) - Properly trimmed ( bow and stern are balanced and resting on the designed waterline)
What 2 things determine improper hull trim?
- Overloading with weight.
- Insufficient ballast.
Covering over the forward part of the hull
foredeck
Transition from the bottom of the hull to the sides of the hull.
Turn of bilge
The difference between the turn of bilge and Garboard.
Deadrise
The transition between the hull and keel.
Garboard
The cutout tub in the center of the deck where the skipper steers and the crew operates.
Cockpit
What is the floor of the cockpit known as?
Sole
What is the raised perimeter around the cockpit?
Coaming
What is the function of the coaming?
Added protection from water entering the cockpit.
What is a one-design sailboat?
Multiple copies of the same boat has been made from a mold.
Raised portion of the deck creating overhead room for below deck.
Cabin.
What is a cleat, and what are they made out of?
A solid, tethering point used for mooring or towing lines, commonly made from plastic, metal or wood.
What is a keelboat, and what is the opposite of a fixed keel boat?
A boat with a fixed keel as opposed to a boat with a centerboard or daggerboard.
Entryway into the cabin?
Companionway
Protection from weather over the companionway made from clear plastic and synthetic fabric?
Dodger
What strengthens through deck fittings from the cabin?
backing plate
Inner hull skin
liner
What does it mean for a boat to have flotation?
Built in device typically composed of foam, sandwiched between inner and outer hull to provide an element of buoyancy to a water filled boat.
One-way valve used to evacuate bilge water, usually located in the cockpit?
self-bailer
What is the disadvantage of a self-bailer?
Has the potential to admit water in the bilge if not used underway.
How is the hull and deck combined?
Via hull and deck joint
What are the various types of spars (5)?
- Mast
- Boom
- gaffs/yards
- spinnaker pole
- whisker pole
What are the mast and boom joined by?
Gooseneck
What type of joint is a gooseneck?
Universal joint
What is a universal joint?
A joint between to operating pieces that allow rotation in 2 separate planes.
4 Types of spar material and the most popular?
- Aluminum (most popular)
- wood
- fiberglass
- carbon fiber
Primary vertical spar.
mast
primary horizontal spar
boom
2 ways a mast is stepped?
- deck
- bilge
What is a deck stepped mast supported by and what does it do?
compression strut or other substantial reinforcement that allows load distribution through the boat structures.
Reinforcing collar adjacent to the mast in the deck that helps displace mast strain?
Mast partner
What is a mast step?
Location in the boat where the mast heel (base) can be set firmly to limit movement.
Pivot fitting that allows easy, frequent mast stepping in smaller boats typically?
tabernacle
Act of putting the mast up or taking it down
Stepping and de-stepping
Supports the mast under tension (general)
standing rigging
Used for hoisting and trimming sails (general), ran through pulleys, cleats, etc.
running rigging
List types of standing rigging (4)
- forestay (headstay)
- backstay
- shrouds
- inner forestay (babystay)
What does in-column mean?
Refers to balance of the standing rigging in relationship to the mast.
What is another name for the forestay and inner forestay, respectively?
Headstay and babystay
What is the purpose of a babystay?
Fly a small jib, typically in heavy weather.
What are the types of shrouds (3) and where is each located?
- cap shroud - uppermost, outer from spreader to mast
- lower shroud (inner or outer) from deck/hull to spreader
- intermediate shroud (inner or outer and depends on the number of spreaders) from spreader to spreader
What are the two common types of sloop rigs? Compare and contrast
- Masthead rig - standing rigging all the way to the top.
- Fractional rig - standing rigging not quite to the top.
What prevents side-to-side motion of the rig?
shrouds
How does a fractional rig provide aftward tension?
Running backstays
2 types of running backstays and how they are used?
Windward and Leeward (“looward”). The windward backstay is kept under tension to provide windward and aftward tension while under sail.
horizontal spars coming off the mast
spreaders
What is the function of the spreaders?
Maintain appropriate alignment and directional forces of shrouds.
What material is rigging composed of (standing vs running)
standing - stranded wire typically stainless steel
running - nylon, dacron or other synthetic rope (atypically steel wire or traditional rope)
Used to lift or lower something, especially sails
halyard
Used to trim sails
sheets
How are halyards and sheets named?
By the sail they operate - main sail halyard, jib sheet
Types of running rigging (9)
- Halyards
- Sheets
- Boom topping lift
- Boom vang
- Cunningham
- Outhaul
- Reefing lines
- furling line
- traveler
What is a block?
Pulley used on a sailboat
What is the rolling part of the block called?
Sheave
What is the reinforced point which attaches standing rigging to the boat hull/deck?
chain plates
What is the point on standing rigging used for adjustment?
Turnbuckle
What is the wind indicator referred to as?
Windex - measures direction of the wind
What device measures the strength of the wind?
Anemometer
turnbuckles are fitted to the chainplates via?
toggles
how is mechanical advantage applied on a boat typically (2)?
- winch
- block (pulley) and tackle
What does VHF stand for, and what does it refer to?
- very high frequency 300 - 3000 megahertz
- refers to radio
gripping pair of jaws used to hold lines
cam or jam cleats
top of the mast
masthead
Where is the VHF antenna typically located?
the masthead
What is the topping lift used for?
To keep the boom under tension when the sail is not in use.
What is the purpose of the spars, standing rigging, and running rigging together?
To allow the sails to function properly
Whats the most popular type of rig today (3 names)?
Jib-headed, marconi, or bermudan
What type of rigging plan flys sails in a fore and aft plane (3 names)?
jib-headed, marconi, or bermudan
What is sloop-rigged?
Single mast with 2 sails, one ahead and one behind the mast.
Name the 3 corners and locations of a triangular sail?
head (top of sail near masthead), tack (forward lower corner), and clew (the back/aft corner)
What are the three sides and locations of a triangular sail?
Foot (bottom), Luff( front part), Leech (back part)
The sail behind the mast on a sloop rigged boat
Mainsail (Main)
The sail in front of the mast on a sloop rigged boat
Jib
A sail is composed of sewn______
Panels
Attaching a sail to a spar ( i.e. boom or mast) can be done which 4 ways?
slugs, slides, boltrope, hanks
What is a headboard?
A reinforced corner on the head of the sail
What are the wood or plastics supports within a sail called?
Battens
What is the convex curve in a sail referred to?
Roach
Circular metal reinforcement for attaching hardware on a sail
Cringle (grommet)
What is the function of the battens?
To allow and reinforce the roach
A carriage riding on the aft boom attached to the main sail is called the
outhaul
What is the function of the outhaul?
Tighten the foot of the mainsail aft
How do you tighten the leech of the mainsail (3)?
- Lower the boom by loosening the boom topping lift
- tighten main sheet
- tighten boom vang
What kind of forestay to jib attachment does wildfire have?
boltrope
What is the classic way to attach the jib to the forestay?
Through the use of hanks
What part of the jib sail do the jib sheets attach too?
clew
A jib that requires no sheets to tack is called____
self-tending
What is the tradename for polyester?
Dacron
What is the most typical synthetic material for heavy sails i.e. genoa and mainsail?
polyester or Dacron
What is the most typical synthetic material for light sails i.e. spinnaker?
nylon
What is an advantage to using Dacron sails?
Require little to no care
What is a disadvantage to using Dacron sails?
Damage from UV light
Name 3 high tech sail materials
Kevlar, Mylar, carbon fiber
What are some of the functions or factors of a sailboat hull that must be compromised during the build to create balanced boat overall (3)?
- stability
- load-carrying ability
- speed
What are the 2 main types of boat bottoms?
Hard chine and round bottom.
What is the chine and what makes a boat bottom hard chine?
The chine is the intersection between the side and the bottom. Hard chine means an abrupt transition between the side and the bottom.
Why was there a transition from round bottom to hard chine boats?
At a time when boats were still made from wood, round bottom boats required increasing amounts of skilled labor, cost, and time whereas hard chine boats where much cheaper and easier to produce and also required less skill.
What is the functional trade off in terms of stability between hard chine and round bottom boats?
Hard chine has considerable initial stability and round bottoms tend to tilt more easily but have better ultimate stability
What is the difference between initial stability and ultimate stability.
Initial stability is resistance to tipping, but once tipped that resistance may prevent capsize righting ability.
Ultimate stability incorporates better capsize righting overall.
Hull that must push through the water.
displacement hull
Hull with the right weight distribution and speed and can ride atop the water
planing hull
What is displacement?
The amount of water a boat occupies based on its weight.
Equation to calculate hull speed (in nautical mph) of a displacement boat
1.34 * sq rt (LWL)
How many feet is a nautical mile compared to a statute mile?
6,080 ft vs 5,280 ft
A displacement hull is said to be _____ when moving through the water.
Speed-limited
What 2 forms of resistance act on a displacement hull?
- friction from water
- waves caused by the boat’s motion through the water
How many statute miles in a nautical mile?
approximately 1.15
Motion of adding additional propulsive force to move over the bow wave instead of through it?
planing
What are (4) requirements for planing?
- Fairly shallow cross-section in water
- Move easily over water
- Requires sufficient power
- Must not be overloaded
Name (2) functions of a keel
- counterbalance forces on the sails and rig
- Resist leeway while moving through the water
what is leeway?
The sideways motion wind generates on the boat while sailing.
When the boat moves in the direction the wind is blowing, it is moving _____
leeward pronounced “loo ard”
4 types of hull appendage that resists leeway
- keel
- centerboard
- daggerboard
- Swing keel
Housing for a centerboard or daggerboard
trunk
Name the likely damage point from running aground with a centerboard or daggerboard
trunk
What is main difference between a fixed keel and keels that are movable?
The amount of ballast
What is the name of the keel type that is a hybrid of fixed and movable designs?
Swing keel
What is the advantage of a swing keel?
Allows a shallow fixed keel portion with ballast but also allows the advantages of a deep fin keel.
What are the 2 main disadvantages of a centerboard?
- Prone to leaking at damage points
- Takes up space
What is the line attached to a centerboard that allows it to be raised and lowered?
Pendant
What are 3 disadvantages of a daggerboard?
- Allows water to splash into cockpit
- Takes up space when raised
- More vulnerable to damage than a centerboard
Why is a daggerboard more prone to damage than a centerboard?
A Daggerboard is fixed when its lowered which causes more damage on impact. A Centerboard has potential to swing out of the way during impact.
What are the names for a 2 hulled and 3 hulled boat?
catamaran and trimarans, respectively
What are the 2 names of a hull with 2 stubby keels on each side?
Twin keel or bilge keels
Whats the advantage of twin (bilge) keels?
In places with large tidal change such as Maine or Great Britain, it is advantageous to have a boat that balances itself on the sea floor
What is a rudder?
An appendage toward the stern that aids in steering the boat.
What are the ways to work a rudder?
tiller or wheel
What are the differences in steering a boat between a tiller and a wheel?
A wheel drives like a car, starboard turn of the wheel turns the boat starboard. A tiller on the other hand, drives opposite. A movement of the tiller to starboard will cause the boat to veer port.
Which way does a wheel and tiller move a rudder?
A starboard movement of the wheel will turn the rudder port, a starboard movement of the tiller will turn the rudder starboard
In order for the rudder to function correctly, what must occur with the boat?
The boat must be in motion, causing water to run past the rudder.
When moving slowly, what is the problem with the wheel or tiller being hard over?
When the rudder is a right angles, it causes the boat to slow down and become unmanageable.
Name the different keel types and rudder types
A- Full Keel with attached rudder
B-Modified Full Keel with attached rudder
C. Fin keel with skegg rudder
D. Deep Fin with skegg rudder
E. Long Shoal Fin with skegg rudder
F. Bulbed Fin with spade rudder
Whats the advantage to a sloop rig vs other classic designs in terms of points of sail?
Better upwind performance
Describe what a sloop rig is:
Single mast with a foresail and mainsail
Whats the difference between sloop rigged and jib headed/marconi/beurmudan rigged?
Sloop describes the number of sails to a single mast.
jib headed/marconi/berumudan rigged refer to the fact that sails are in a fore and aft plane. Sails are parallel to the boat.
What is a gaff?
A horizontal spar that supports a sail with 4 sides.
Name four traditional rigs other than sloop rigs
- Sprit
- Lateen
- Lug
- Gaff
What are the 5 different types of single masted rigs?
1.Sloop
2. Cat boat
3. Cutter
4. Solent
5. Slutter
Single masted rig with one sail
catboat
Single masted with foresail and aft sail
sloop
Single masted with 2 foresails
cutter
2 types of sloop rigs
- masthead
- fractional
Whats the difference between jibs on a masthead and a fractional rig?
To make up for the lack of heigh on a fractional rig, the jibs are usually overlapping the mast (genoa).
How is a genoa different from a jib?
genoa overlaps the mast compared to a jib which doesn’t come back as far.
Name 3 sails of a cutter
jib, staysail, and mainsail
Name 3 advantages of a cutter over a sloop.
- Ability to sail storm sail setups
- Multiple combinations of foresails
- Smaller individual areas to more easily manage
Disadvantages of a cutter rig
More expensive to maintain
More parts to break
Name the 2 most common 2 masted yachts
ketch and yawl
How are the yawl and ketch the same? (2)
- Similar sized foresails
- Each has a main mast and a mizzen mast.
How are the yawl and ketch different? (2)
- A ketch has has more similar size main and mizzen sails whereas a yawl has a proportionately larger main sail to mizzen sail area compared to a ketch.
- A yawls mizzen mast is aft of the rudder post. A ketch’s mizzen mast is forward of the rudder post.
Whats a mizzen mast?
smaller mast aft the main mast
Whats the advantage of 2 masted boats compared to 1 masted boats?
The sails are broken down into smaller areas which promotes more options for sail configuration.
What is it called when your sailing with the wind from behind?
On a run or running
What is a disadvantaged of a 2 masted boat compared to a one masted boat?
The main disadvantage is that 2 masted boats, compared to a sloop, are not as good at sailing close to the wind.
What is a disadvantage of a yawl or a ketch on a run?
The mizzen sails can blanket the main sail
Type of classic boat rig that might have aspects of single or multi-masted boats with a wide variety sail and rigging configurations?
Schooner
What are the 4 types of boatbuilding materials?
- steel
- wood
- aluminum
- fiberglass
3 characteristics of steel as a boatbuilding material?
- heavy and strong
- custom but hard to work with
- expensive
4 characteristics of aluminum as a boatbuilding material?
- light and strong
- significant issues with electrolysis
- easier than steel to work with
- noise and heat transfer
4 characteristics of fiberglass as a boatbuilding material?
- less strong than steel pound for pound
- cheap
- easiest to work with and repaired
- lasts indefinitely
4 characteristics of wood as a boatbuilding material?
- most expensive
- hardest to work with
- hardest to maintain
- very traditional and beautiful
3 steps in fiberglass boat building
- Make a plug
- Make a female mold
- Make the boat pieces
Fiberglass strength and durability depends on what 4 factors?
- materials- fiberglass and resin
- how materials are combined
- number of layers
- quality control of the process
Type of fiberglass construction where fiberglass is laid over a core.
Sand-which construction
Most common hull or deck core materials (2)
- balsa wood
- foam
Type of molding process where male and female molds are. clamped together with the fiberglass laminate between them.
matched-die process
A matched-die process in which resin is injected into fiberglass layers under vacuum is called
scrimp (Seeman composite resin infusion molding process)
What is a leeboard and what is its function?
It’s a pivoting keel that is present externally on both sides of the hull. The leeboard is usually dropped on the leeward side and usually replaces a fixed keel.
What 2 types of regulations are there?
- Regulations for boat
- Regulations for equipment on the boat
Where must most powerboats and sailboats be registered? What is an exemption (name 2)?
- Registered in the state where they are principally used.
The 2 exemptions are
1. A documented boat
2. Dinghies with motors less than 10 HP
What is a form of national boat registration that is highly regulated?
Documentation
A recreational vessel must be more than how many tons to be designated a yacht by the US Coast Guard?
5 tons
Where must documentation papers reside?
aboard the vessel
In terms of registration numbers, what are 3 requirements?
- in plain sight
- Plain vertical block characters 3 inches high
- must contrast the background of the boat
What is the number on the boat that is like a VIN number on a car and where is it located (2 places) ?
The HIN ( hull identification number)
Located in
1. Starboard topmost part of transom
2. Unexposed area determined by the manufacter
Name several things that are left of LOA measurement?
bowspirts, sternsprits, boomkins, pulpits, outboard motors, outdrives, other hull attachments
What is a capacity plate?
A capacity plate shows the maximum allowable combined weight of people, motors, and gear on board.
What kinds of boats require and do not require a capacity plate?
Motorboats less than 20 feet require a capacity plate and sailboats do not.
What 4 characteristics of a boat require a ventilation system?
1.A gasoline powered, non-commercial boat build after 1980.
2.Boats for hire.
3. Boats for charter
4. boat with enclosures
What 2 types of ventilation systems are there?
- Natural ventilation
- Powered ventilation
Name six types of natural ventilation air intakes?
1.louver
2. funnel
3. clamshell
4. cowl
5. cabin top
6. plastic vent
Each air supply opening and duct must be above the level of the ___.
bilge water
What do intake and exhaust openings have to be covered by to keep out water?
cowl
Length of time a blower must operate before an engine can be started?
4 minutes
Whats the method of preventing backfires on a carberator?
flame arrestor
What simple test can increase you sensitivity to gasoline vapor?
Sniff the bilge
Fire extinguishers must be present on a boat if … (3 things)
- inboard engine
- Enclosed space
- A length of 26 feet or more
Fire extinguishers must be present on a boat if … (3 things)
- inboard engine
- Enclosed space
- A length of 26 feet or more
What makes flame arresters effective?
when they are clean from oil ,grease, dirt
types of fires (3)
- A- natural- wood, paper
2.B- petroleum- gas, oil
3.C- electrical
Boat fire extinguishers have 3 general fire suppressants called
1.CO2
2.dry chemical
3. aqueous foam
Advantage (2) and disadvantage (1) of CO2 fire extinguisher
advantage
1.inherently Non toxic
2. will not damage an engine
Disadvantage
1. concentrations can reach deadly level in enclosed area because it decreases concentration of O2
What are 2 disadvantages of using aqueous foam fire extinguisher on a boat?
- Hard to clean residue
- Can damage engine electronics
Name an obsolete fire suppressant and why use was stopped
Halon, removes ozone layer
What is an alternative to halon fire suppressant and what is its disadvantage?
FE-241, its toxic
What is name and outlawed fire suppressant and why?
Carbon tetrachloride
Produces toxic phosgene gas
What is the best fire suppressant for a boat and why
Dry chemical, especially sodium bicarbonate
Inexpensive and puts out type A,B,C fires
How should you not test a fire extinguisher?
By using it
Acronym for operating a fire extinguisher and what does it stand for
PASS
Pull (pin)
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep
What are the 2 types and sizes of Coast Guard fire extinuishers
Type B-I and Type BII
Type B-II is larger than B-I
What type(s) of fire extinguishers are sufficient on a boat less than 26 feet?
At least one B-I fire extinguisher
What type(s) of fire extinguishers are sufficient on a boat less than 26 -40 feet?
two B-I or one B-II
What type(s) of fire extinguishers are sufficient on a boat over 40 feet?
three B -I ‘s or, one B-I and a B-II
What must be readily accessible in a secure location on a boat?
fire extinguisher
What is the problem with battery powered warning systems? I.e. carbon monoxide, smoke detector…
The battery corrodes more easily
Name the 5 types of PFDs and their function.
- Type I- offshore
- Type II-nearshore
- Type III-recreational
- Type IV-throwable
- Type V-special use
Name 3 types of PFD mechanisms for inflation
- manual
- manual with automatic back up
- hybrid- small amount of inherent buoyancy plus manual or automatic device
What is the additional manual back up system of all manual inflatable PFDs
manual oral inflation
Advantage of Type I PFD
Most likely to turn unconscious person face up
Advantage of Type II PFD
Will turn some individuals face up.
Advantage of Type III PFD
Freedom of movement
Type IV PFD should not be ______.
worn
Boat requirements for a type IV PFD
Any boat, longer than 16 feet, not a canoe or kayak.
Give examples of type V PFDs
Deck suit, work vest, wind surfing vest
A suitable PFD must be properly ___.
fitted
Describe proper PFD fit.
Feels snug and with hands raised in air, will not ride higher than ears or mouth
In ordered to be considered legal, a PFD must be ____.
Readily accessible
PFDs should not be used as _____ or ______.
fenders or cushions
Describe a deteriorated PFD and what should be done with it
torn, broken, deformed, holds water, faded
Should be destroyed and discarded
How do you check an inflatable PFD?
Inspect the green indicator and manually inflate the air bladder periodically
All PFDs must be readily accessible but a type IV device must be ______
immediately at hand
Name at least 6 instances where PFDs should be worn.
- child
- non-swimmer
- hazardous water (calm cold water)
- rough weather
- physically impaired/disabled
- Nighttime
What does VDS stand for?
Visual Distress Signal
Coast Guard VDS rules: (3)?
- Any vessel operating at night
- recreational more than than 16 feet
- sailboats greater than 26
A vessel less than 39.4 feet must have means of making efficient sound how?
Any reasonably loud device other than human voice or sound
Name 4 examples of sound producing devices
- airhorn
- powerhorn
- bell
- whistle
Describe the sound producing devices (2) necessary on a vessel more than 39.4 feet.
Device is capable of making sound heard for at least 1/2 mile for a duration of 4-6 seconds, plus at least an 8 inch bell with a clapper.
What combination of VDS must be carried on a boat?
Any combination that yields at least 3 day signals and/or 3 night signals.
List 3 daytime non-pyrotechnic signals. Name which ones are CG approved.
- orange flag with black square above black circle ( CG approved)
- reflective devices (mirrors)
- Slowly waving arms up and down
Name 2 main pyrotechnic day only signals.
- smoke producing signals
- flare signals
How must smoke flares be stored?
air tight container in dry places
Name 2 types of night signals.
- flares
- high intensity white flashing lights
What is the morse code signal for SOS?
- _ _ _ * * *
How should all pyrotechnic VDS be handled?
Treat them as firearms and make attempts to utilize them over the water not over the boat
Is it okay to test a flare to see if it works?
No. It is illegal to fire a flare in a nonemergency situation on the water unless authorized by the USCG.
All pyrotechnic VDS must be _______. (3)
- Readily accessible
- Usable
- Within their expiration dates
Name 4 safety devices that you should keep more than the minimum required.
- fire extinguishers
- PFDs
- VDS
- SPD (sound producing devices)
Describe the 2 main types of Marine Sanitation devices
- flow through (type I & II)
- non flow through ( type III)
Whats the difference between type I and II MSDs?
Type II has a more stringent bacterial standard
Describe a type III MSD
A portapotty
What is a type IIIb MSD?
a holding tank
When are you allowed to pump waste overboard?
12 miles from shore
What device allows the option of collecting in holding tank or discharging overboard?
a Y valve
When a boat is in restricted waters, what is important to do with the Y valve?
It must be locked and in closed position
What is EPIRB?
Emergency Position- Indicating Radio Beacon
How is an EPIRB activated(2) ?
- immersion
- manual switch
Who is required to have EPIRBS (2) ?
- Vessels carrying 6 or fewer passengers for hire
- commercial vessels operating beyond 3 miles from shore
What frequency does an EPIRB transmit at?
406.025 MHz
Describe a 406’s signal sensitivity
Pinpointed within 3 miles on the first pass and within 1 mile on the third pass.
When you test your 406, please ensure _____.
that it is in test mode
Who must you register you 406 EPIRB with?
NOAA- national oceanic and atmospheric administration
Name 6 highly recommended types of safety devices
- Secondary propulsion
- Manual dewatering device
- First aid kit
- Anchor
- VHF-FM radio
- Tools/ Spare Parts
Moving a sail closer to centerline (general)
trimming a sail
Moving a sail away from centerline (general)
easing a sail
In addition to moving a sail closer to/further from centerline while trimming/easing, what else is being changed?
sail’s angle of attack
Name 2 ways to change the angle of attack
- trimming/easing
- changing the heading
How do you increase power on a boat generally? 2
- fall off
- trim the sheets
How do you decrease power on a boat generally? 2
- Head up
- ease the sheets
What does it mean to depower the boat?
speed and heel decreases
What is true wind?
The wind felt when a person is not in motion.
What is apparent wind?
A combination of true wind and wind in motion.
lengths of yarn, ribbons, or strips of fabric used to indicate the wind patterns
telltales
In a displacement sailboat when wind is apparent from the beam forward which is stronger? apparent or true wind?
AW>TW
In a displacement sailboat when the wind is aft of the beam which is stronger? apparent or true wind?
TW>AW
As a boat moves faster which way doe apparent wind move?
AW moves forward the faster it goes.
Sailing with the wind astern of the boat … 4 names
- running
- sailing downwind
- on a run
- sailing before the wind
Explain blanketing
One sail deprives another of wind
Main sail fully out and foresail opposite of it
wing and wing
4 problems encountered when sailing downwind
- Difficulty steering with poor rudder responsiveness
- Overtaking wave can throw the stern sideways
- wind tends to oscillate a great deal
- potential accidental jibes
line that averts accidental jibe
preventer
Name 3 ways to prevent an accidental jibe:
- use a preventer
- put wind on the quarter
- avoid sailing downwind at all
Portable spar used to keep a sail extended 2. Which is adjustable?
- spinnaker pole
- whisker pole (adjustable)
Name a spar that can be used as a jib boom
whisker pole
3 names for sailing upwind
- on the wind
- beating windward
- on a beat
Describe wind flow over a sail when it is acting as an air foil, the forces it creates and the resulting movement.
Air travels shorter distance (slower) on windward sail at higher pressure. Air travels longer distance (faster) on the leeward side at lower pressure. High to low pressure generates lift from forward and sideways forces.
What point of sail is the sail acting most like an airfoil?
close haul/reach
motion from sideways forces on the boat
heel
Describe and compare the location of forces responsible for heel and lift.
Lift is mostly generated in the forward 1/4 of the sail, and most of the heel is created in the aft 3/4.
Vertical volumetric curve cut in the luff of the sail is called (2)
camber or draft
3 names for telltales
- woolies
- streamers
- win tallies
telltales should be located where on the jib sail
4 to 6 inches from the jib luff
on a sloop rigged boat, which sail contributes to lift more?
jib/genoa - especially if its large
what contributes to the inefficiency of mainsail lift (compared to a genoa) on a sloop?
the mast causes more turbulence than a forestay
What is the angle of attack?
The angle at which the wind hits the luff or leading edge of the sails
If the angle of attack is too small, what happens?
The sails are too close to the wind and will start luffing or shivering
Describe how to trim a jib when sailing windward:
The jib should be trimmed all the way in without touching any rigid parts of the boat and then let out until the windward and leeward streamers are horizontal.
Describe jib streamer inefficiencies:
If too close to the wind, the windward streamer will not be horizontal. If too far off the wind, the leeward streamer will not be horizontal.
Where is the key jib streamer located?
About a 1/3 of the way up the luff of the jib.
Describe trimming the mainsail when sailing windward.
Trim far enough towards the centerline so the forward sections stop luffing but not so tight that the leech is overtightened and the air stalls (streamers aren’t horizontal).
What kind of markers suggest the mainsail is trimmed properly sailing to windward.
Typically:
1. aft streamers are horizontal
2. no forward luffing
3. upper batten is parallel with the boom
helmsman’s technique of adjusting the tiller to slight wind shifts
playing the puffs
