Cuprins
Letter from U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore
Introduction
Part One: Basic Skills and Seamanship
Chapter 1ABOUT SAILBOATS
What Is a Boat?
Language of the Sea
Components of a Sailboat
Hull Types
Steering Systems
Other Rigs
Boatbuilding Materials
Coast Guard Customer Infoline
Marine Surveyors
Buying a Boat
Practice Questions
Chapter 2HOW A BOAT SAILS
Reading the Wind
Points of Sailing: Running
Points of Sailing: Close Hauled
Points of Sailing: Reaching
Sail Shape
Sail Adjustments
When the Wind Picks Up
Practice Questions
Chapter 3BASIC SAILBOAT MANEUVERING
Tacking and Jibing
Sailing a Course
Stability and Angle of Heel
Knowing Your Boat
Practice Questions
Chapter 4RIGGING AND BOAT HANDLING
Stepping the Mast
Making Sail
Sailing Away
Under Sail
Returning to Port
Anchoring
Practice Questions
Chapter 5EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR BOAT
Requirements for Your Boat
Fire Prevention and Detection
Your Boat’s Equipment
Legal Considerations
Practice Questions
Chapter 6TRAILERING YOUR SAILBOAT
Legal Considerations
Practical Considerations
The Towing Vehicle
Trailer Hitches
Balancing the Load
Handling Your Trailer
Predeparture Checks
Preparing to Launch
Sailboat Trailering: Raising the Mast
Launching
Retrieving
Storing Your Boat and Trailer
Theft Prevention
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Float Plan
Practice Questions
Chapter 7YOUR “HIGHWAY” SIGNS
Buoyage Systems
Waterway Marks
How Waterways Are Marked
Light Characteristics
Chart Symbols
Light Structures
Lights on Bridges
Electronic Aids to Navigation
Navigation Publications
Practice Questions
Chapter 8THE RULES OF THE NAUTICAL ROAD
Two Sets of Rules
To Whom Do the Rules Apply?
Vessel Definitions
The General Responsibility Rule
General Considerations
Conduct in Narrow Channels
Traffic Separation Schemes
Stand-On or Give-Way?
Rules for Special Vessels
Risk of Collision
Bend Signals
Restricted Visibility
Vessel Lights and Shapes
Distress Signals
Homeland Security Measures
Courtesy and Safety
Drawbridges
Penalties
Practice Questions
Chapter 9INLAND BOATING
Inland Waters
Inland Navigation
Inland Seamanship
River Currents
Maintaining Inland Waterways
Dams
Locks
River Charts
Commercial Traffic
Before You Go
Practice Questions
Chapter 10SAILING SAFETY
Small Boat Safety
Man Overboard
Cold Water
Sharing the Water with Other Boats
Fueling Your Boat
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Weather
Practice Questions
Part Two: More Sailing Skills
Chapter 11MORE ON SAIL TRIM AND BOAT HANDLING
Setting Up the Standing Rigging
Fractional Rigs
Lee and Weather Helm
Mainsail Trim and Shape
Headsails and Headsail Trim
When the Wind Increases
Disabled Rudder
Practice Questions
Chapter 12INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATION
Nautical Charts
Ship’s Compass
Fixing Your Position
Sources of Compass Error
Correcting a Compass Reading
Finding Your Position
Speed-Time-Distance
Dead Reckoning
Tides
Electronic Navigation
GPS Operation
Practice Your Art
A Further Invitation
Practice Questions
Chapter 13ENGINES FOR SAILBOATS
Outboard Engines
Inboard Auxiliary Engines
Diesel Engine Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Batteries
Sailboat Propellers
Galvanic Action
A Basic Tool Kit
Practice Questions
Chapter 14LINES AND KNOTS FOR YOUR BOAT
Line or Rope?
Rope Materials
Rope Construction
Measuring Rope
Care of Rope
Making Up a Line
Knots, Bends, and Hitches
Splices
Securing Lines
Lead Lines
Dipping the Eye
Practice Questions
Chapter 15WEATHER AND SAILING
Weather Information
Wind and Boating
Understanding Weather
Nonfrontal Weather
The Go, No-Go Decision
Practice Questions
Chapter 16YOUR BOAT’S RADIO
Communications on the Water
Functions of Radiotelephones
Licenses
Selecting Your VHF-FM Radio
Installation
Operating Your VHF-FM
Copies of the Rules
Calling Another Station
Procedure Words
Phonetic Alphabet
Routine Radio Check
Distress, Urgency, and Safety Calls
Crew Training
Practice Questions
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Your Responsibilities as a Boat Operator
Appendix B: Float Plan Form and Boating Emergency Guide
Appendix C: Boating Accident Report Form
Appendix D: Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Radio Fact Sheet and MMSI Registration Form
Appendix E: Metric Conversion Tables
Appendix F: Vessel Safety Check
Appendix G: Join the Coast Guard Auxiliary
Appendix H: Become an Associate Member
Appendix I: Preventive Boat Maintenance Checklist
ANSWER KEY
GLOSSARY
INDEX