Sail Chicago Course Outcomes

Crew Class (Basic/Beginning)

As a result of this class, you will be able to:

• Recall and use sailboat and sailing terminology

• Maneuver a sailboat upwind and downwind (tacking, jibing, recovering from being in-irons, maintaining a course, heaving to)

• Determine apparent wind, and trim sails accordingly

• Execute key knots (cleat hitches, figure eights, bowlines, coiling a line)

• Communicate and coordinate with the skipper and other crew members

• Recognize safety basics, club rules, and emergency procedures 

First Mate Class (Intermediate)

As a result of this class, you will be able to:

• Plan and execute a mooring departure and mooring return

• Get underway and return with a motor

• Tack and jibe in confined spaces 

• Execute close reach approaches, quick stops, and quick turns

• Avoid collisions by knowing navigational “rules of the road” and execute emergency come-abouts

• Evaluate and respond to heavy weather using a variety of tactics (reefing, stalling, anchoring, depowering sails, etc.)

• Execute additional knots (heave lines, clove hitches, square knots, marlinspikes)

Advanced/Skipper Prep

You will be able to:

• Think like a skipper (responsibilities and judgements)

• Coordinate a crew

• Recover and regroup after aborted departures and missed approaches

• Control sail speed and determine glide zone

• Execute a successful recovery of an overboard crew member