The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Sailing Fundamentals (SF) course combines the training programs of the American Sailing Association and the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Graduates of this seven-lesson course will be credited with completion of the classroom portion of the ASA class.

See the American Sailing Association for more detailed information.

Topics include:

• INTRODUCTION TO SAILING -- the sailboat and the wind; the basic boat; responsibilities of the skipper and crew; alcohol and drug abuse; federal requirements for recreational boats; attaching and raising sails; getting the boat moving; tacking and jibing; ending the sail; docking.
• BASIC SAILING -- sail trim; what makes a boat sail; points of sail; rules of the road under sail; communications; stopping the boat.
• SAFETY AND SEAMANSHIP -- safety harness; deck safety; hypothermia and clothing; seasickness; rescuing a man overboard; sailing in confined waters.
• BASIC SEAMANSHIP SKILLS -- daysail planning; chart symbols; aids to navigation; anchors and their uses; knots; dock lines; anchoring; docking and mooring under sail.
• BASIC COASTAL CRUISING I -- running lights; duties of skipper and crew for cruising; rules of the road under power; essential safety equipment; outboard engine operations; troubleshooting the engine; handling a vessel under power.
• BASIC COASTAL CRUISING II -- sail selection; weather; heavy-weather sailing; reefing systems; the magnetic compass; preparing for coastal cruising; running aground and other nuisances; reefing; sailing a compass course; steering with the sails.
• SPECIAL SAILING INFORMATION -- dinghy sailing; sailboards, catamarans; launching, storing, and maintaining your boat.
• A laminated color chart of U.S. Aids to Navigation System is included.

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.

Course Format:

This is an 8-session course. At the end of the course is a final review and a multiple choice exam..

Course Materials:

Student materials include a text book and a workbook. There will be handouts supplementing the textbook when specific sections are covered in class.

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