1. Instructors: George Crowl
Elective
Elective – Sailing
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2016 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
This PowerPoint is provided for those who may not have appropriate training aids available in a ship or location. This generally follows a companion lesson plan available at I expect you to modify it to fit your situation and teaching style. I am more concerned that Scouts learn than this fit a specific style. I am, however, a fan of the Effective Teaching model. Teaching EDGE is somewhat simplistic in its approach, but that has some advantages.
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
Instructors: George Crowl

2. Instructors: George Crowl
Sailing
Elective Level 1
(Ordinary) Sailing
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2010 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
This PowerPoint is provided for those who may not have appropriate training aids available in a ship or location. This generally follows a companion lesson plan available at I expect you to modify it to fit your situation and teaching style. I am more concerned that Scouts learn than this fit a specific style. I am, however, a fan of the Effective Teaching model. Teaching EDGE is somewhat simplistic in its approach, but that has some advantages.
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
Instructors: George Crowl

3. Course Outline
Sailing: In a cat-rigged or similar small vessel, demonstrate your ability to sail single-handedly a triangular course (leeward, windward, and reaching marks). Demonstrate beating, reaching, and running. A qualified sailing instructor should observe this requirement.
16c. Sailing: In a cat-rigged or similar small vessel, demonstrate your ability to sail single-handedly a triangular course (leeward, windward, and reaching marks). Demonstrate beating, reaching, and running. A qualified sailing instructor should observe this requirement.
Reference: SSM pp , SSPR pp
Equipment Required: A cat-rigged boat. In warm weather, a Sunfish or similar design is fine. In cold weather, it will be necessary to use a “26-foot” sloop with only the mainsail, preferably one of our tiller boats.
A chase boat if using Sunfish
Sufficient life jackets for the vessels
An illustrated magnetic board showing sail position vs wind is available from George Crowl.
Ratio: 1:4 Instructor:Student.
Emphasize this is single-handed sailing, which requires coordination of the tiller and the sail handling by one person.
For Sunfish, the instructor may observe from ashore or another boat.
For large sloops, the instructor must be a qualified AVO in that vessel and be on board. Other Sea Scouts can be on board the large vessel. Scouts are not required to be qualified in the vessel (motor, docking, other procedures, etc.).
Emphasize this is single-handed sailing, which requires coordination of the tiller and the sail handling by one person.
For Sunfish, the instructor may observe from ashore or another boat.
For large sloops, the instructor must be a qualified vessel operator in that vessel and be on board. Other Sea Scouts can be on board the large vessel. Scouts are not required to be qualified in the vessel (motor, docking, other procedures, etc.).
Teach sail position for a close reach all the way around to running before the wind.
Teach tiller handling/movement. In large boats with a wheel, teach wheel centering and the 45° right and left positions.
Show how to tack the boat through the eye of the wind.
Show how to make a planned jibe with the stern to the eye of the wind.
Scouts need only be in a leg of the triangular course long enough to gain speed and demonstrate proper turns and sail positions relative to the wind on each leg.
This is a demonstration/performance. When the Scout can perform, s/he should be given credit. If using sloops in SHAC, use Clear Lake or Offatts Bayou for this event if wind, tide and keel allow, to get more practice time.

4. Points of Sail (1)
Teach sail position for a close reach all the way around to running before the wind.
The diagram shows two sails, but the jib is not very noticeable. I could not find a mainsail only illustration nearly as good as this one. Tell the students to look at the mainsail only.
Point out the “Eye of the Wind” where you cannot go.
Show running, where it is obvious the wind is pushing the sail.
Then show a broad reach, where the sail is still perpendicular to the wind, but the boat is headed left or right.
Then talk about beam reach. Show that the best sail position here is 45° to the wind.
Sailing Directions: No boat can sail directly into the wind – a 45° angle to the wind is about the best that can be expected. This 90° dead spot is called "the eye of the wind."
1. Beating – sailing as close to the eye of the wind as possible with sail trimmed in flat, "close-hauled."
2. Close reach – sailing with the wind just forward of the beam.
3. Beam reach – sailing with the wind abeam.
4. Broad reach – sailing with the wind abaft of the beam.
5. Running free – sailing with the wind dead astern.

5. Beam Reach Sail Force of wind (= 1.0) pushes on sail
Force pushes forward (= 0.7)
Force pushes sidewards (= 0.7), but is resisted by keel / centerboard
This page illustrates the forces on the sail on a beam reach, the fastest point of sail. With the sail 45° to the wind, 70% of its effect goes to push the boat forward, with almost no sideward motion.
Returning to the points of sail, we now try to keep the sail at a 45° angle to the wind as we point further up.
1.0
0.7
0.7

6. Points of Sail (2)
Teach sail position for a close reach all the way around to running before the wind.
The diagram shows two sails, but the jib is not very noticeable. I could not find a mainsail only illustration nearly as good as this one. Tell the students to look at the mainsail only.
Point out the “Eye of the Wind” where you cannot go.
Show running, where it is obvious the wind is pushing the sail.
Then show a broad reach, where the sail is still perpendicular to the wind, but the boat is headed left or right.
Then talk about broad reach. Show that the best sail position here is 45° to the wind.
Moving to a close reach, we still keep the sail at 45° to the wind.
Moving to close hauled, the sail is tucked into the centerline of the boat, we are sailing as close to the eye as we can, the sail is still about 45° to the wind. Some boats can sail a little closer.

7. Tiller Operation
Push tiller the opposite of the way you want the rudder to go
“If it doesn't go the way you want, go the other way”
Normally, small motions
Tacking – 45° rudder angle, most efficient
Jibing – less rudder angle, more gentle
Tiller
Push tiller handle opposite direction you want rudder to go.
“If it doesn't go the way you want it to, push it the other way!”
Normally, try to make small corrections constantly.
When tacking, use 45° rudder angle – most efficient.
Jibe more slowly, less rudder angle.

8. Tacking Wind 3. Port Tack 1. Starboard Tack 2. Passing through
Show how to tack the boat through the eye of the wind.
Single handed tacking requires some coordinated effort.
If not at close hauled, turn up to close hauled with your sail tight on the centerline of the boat as you reach close hauled. This is important so that you continue to have good speed at the start of the turn.
Put your tiller over 45° leeward (“helms alee”) to get most efficient turning angle. Keep your sail on centerline as you turn. You may need to shift your weight in a small boat.
After you have turned at least 90°, you should be 45° off the wind on the other side (3 above). You may now adjust tiller and rudder to go on your next heading.
Tacking: Coming about.
1. Tacking means changing the sail from one side of the boat to the other by turning the bow through the wind. This can be done from any point of sail, but is most often done when heading upwind. Tacking is also known as "coming about."
2. A boat is on a port tack if the wind comes over the port side to reach the sail. It is on a starboard tack if the wind crosses the starboard side first. Another way to remember it is that the tack is named for the side opposite the one the boom is over. If the boom is out to starboard, the boat is on a port tack, if boom to port, it is a starboard tack.
3. Coming about starts by bringing the sail in close hauled with the bow about 45° off the wind. When the Scout is ready to tack, the tiller is then quickly but smoothly moved 45° to leeward. (A 45° tiller/rudder angle is the most effective turning angle.) As the bow moves through the eye of the wind the sail will luff (shiver and ripple), the boom will begin to move across the boat, and normally the helmsman moves to what will become the windward side. As the bow passes just beyond the eye of the wind, the sail will catch the wind on the other side and help shove the bow around. As soon as the boom is over, the tiller is brought amidships, the heading corrected for the new tack, and the sail adjusted for the wind.
4. Novice sailors frequently make two mistakes when coming about. The first is being caught "in irons." Here the tack is started with insufficient speed through the water or the tiller is moved too slowly. The boat heads into the wind, the sail luffs, and the boat stops. If this happens, simply hold the sail out into the wind (called "backing the sail") to shove the bow around and you're off. The second mistake is failing to bring the tiller amidships promptly. You'll then find yourself sailing off on a reach in a direction you don’t want to go. In a stiff wind, the close-hauled mainsail could blow the boat over into an upset. The best solution is to mind the helm carefully and be alert to ease the sheets as needed.
5. Reaching is sailing across the wind. If you're sailing perpendicular to the direction of the wind, it's a "beam reach;" if the wind is forward of the beam, it's a "close reach;" abaft the beam, it's a "broad reach." Reaching requires careful sail handling. The sails should be let out until they just begin to luff, then sheeted in just enough to cure the luff. The helmsman steers a steady course while keeping the sail properly trimmed. Since few winds are really steady and they tend to shift slightly, constant attention of the Scout is needed to maintain trim. The boat will tend to heel over on a reach and this should be kept to a minimum by moving all the bodies to windward. You may notice the boat heel excessively, head into the wind requiring a helm correction, then right itself only to heel over again and repeat the process. This means that the sails are sheeted in too closely. Most novice sailors tend to trim sails in too far on a reach. Luff them, then just cure the luff, and the boat will almost sail itself. Reaches are named as are the tacks. When the boom is to port, it's a starboard reach—boom to starboard, a port reach.
2. Passing through
the eye of the wind

9. Beating to Windward Series of tacks
Short tacks are more work, lose speed each turn
Long tacks more efficient, take you away from area
You may need to do this to race or just to stay off a lee shore.
Beating and Running
1. To sail the boat upwind, it is necessary to make a zig-zag course called beating to windward. Sails should be trimmed in as far as possible. Unlike reaching, the boat is steered to keep the sails filled properly. Head as close to the wind as possible until the sails just begin to luff – then come off the wind enough to just cure the luff.
2. To tack, swing the tiller smoothly to leeward, let the boom swing across the boat as you pass through the eye of the wind. As soon as the jib begins to back, trim it onto the new tack. Careful attention to the helm is needed to see that you aren't caught in irons or don't swing too far into a reach.

10. Gybing /Jibeing Enough speed to turn Pull sail to centerline first
Tiller to windward slowly
Shift weight if needed
After sail shifts, move sail and tiller to take up heading desired
Jibing is turning the boat's stern through the wind (moving the sails to the other side of the boat) while running downwind. It must be done carefully to keep the sails under control – a "controlled jibe" rather than an accidental one. The safest procedure is to trim the sail in. The goal is to minimize the boom's movement. Then move the tiller carefully to windward, trim the main boom amidships. At this point, all hands should duck to avoid the swinging boom. As the boom comes across, let your sheet run out smartly and set them for the new tack. Be sure sheets are clear before jibing – if they foul, you could capsize.
Show how to make a planned jibe with the stern to the eye of the wind.
Single handed jibeing requires some coordinated effort.
Insure that you have adequate speed. This is important so that you continue to have good speed at the start of the turn.
Pull in your sail to centerline first. This minimizes shock to the equipment and danger to the crew.
Then put your tiller over to windward slowly to get the boat to turn the stern through the wind with minimum shock. Keep your sail on centerline as you turn. You may need to shift your weight in a small boat.
After you have turned you may now adjust tiller and rudder to go on your next heading.

11. Triangular Course Typical One jibe, two tacks Upwind, downwind
May need to beat upwind
Scouts demonstrate ability to sail course with no help in cat rig boat
Can be short legs
Scouts need only be in a leg of the triangular course long enough to gain speed and demonstrate proper turns and sail positions relative to the wind on each leg.
This is a demonstration/performance. When the Scout can perform, s/he should be given credit. If using sloops, use Clear Lake for this event if wind, tide and keel allow, to get more practice time.

12. Questions? R

13. Instructors: George Crowl
Sailing
Elective Level 2
(Able) Sailing
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2010 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
This PowerPoint is provided for those who may not have appropriate training aids available in a ship or location. This generally follows a companion lesson plan available at I expect you to modify it to fit your situation and teaching style. I am more concerned that Scouts learn than this fit a specific style. I am, however, a fan of the Effective Teaching model. Teaching EDGE is somewhat simplistic in its approach, but that has some advantages.
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
Instructors: George Crowl

14. Course Outline
2. While leading a crew of not less that two other persons, demonstrate your ability to sail a sloop or other suitable vessel correctly and safely over a triangular course (leeward, windward, reaching marks), demonstrating beating, reaching, and running, and the proper commands.
Reference: SSM pp , SSPR pp
Equipment Required: A sloop-rigged boat. In warm weather, a Capri or similar design is fine. In cold weather, it will be necessary to use a nominal “30-foot” sloop.
A chase boat if using Capris or similar sized vessels.
Sufficient life jackets for the vessels.
An illustrated magnetic board showing sail position vs wind is available from George Crowl.
Ratio: 1:4 Instructor:Student.
This PPT repeats the material in the Level 1 PPT so it has continuity.
Obviously, the main difference is that the crew has to handle both the jib and main.
For Capris, the instructor may observe from ashore or another boat.
For large sloops, the instructor must be a qualified vessel operator in that vessel and be on board. More Sea Scouts than the minimum crew can be on board the large vessel. Scouts are not required to be qualified in the vessel (motor, docking, other procedures, etc.).
Teach sail position for a close reach all the way around to running before the wind.
Teach tiller/wheel handling/movement.
Show how to tack the boat through the eye of the wind.
Show how to make a planned jibe with the stern to the eye of the wind.
Scouts need only be in a leg of the triangular course long enough to gain speed and demonstrate proper turns and sail positions relative to the wind on each leg.
This is a demonstration/performance. When the Scout can perform, s/he should be given credit. If using sloops in SHAC, use Clear Lake for this event if wind, tide and keel allow, to get more practice time.
This part of the lesson plan only identifies the differences from Level 1.

15. Points of Sail (1)
Teach sail position for a close reach all the way around to running before the wind.
The diagram shows two sails, but the jib is not very noticeable.
Point out the “Eye of the Wind” where you cannot go.
Show running, where it is obvious the wind is pushing the sails.
Then show a broad reach, where the sails are still perpendicular to the wind, but the boat is headed left or right.
Then talk about beam reach. Show that the best sail position here is 45° to the wind.

16. Beam Reach Sail Force of wind (= 1.0) pushes on sail
Force pushes forward (= 0.7)
Force pushes sidewards (= 0.7), but is resisted by keel / centerboard
This page illustrates the forces on the sail on a beam reach, the fastest point of sail. With the sail 45° to the wind, 70% of its effect goes to push the boat forward, with almost no sideward motion.
Returning to the points of sail, we now try to keep the sail at a 45° angle to the wind as we point further up.
1.0
0.7
0.7

17. Points of Sail (2)
Teach sail position for a close reach all the way around to running before the wind.
The diagram shows two sails, but the jib is not very noticeable.
Point out the “Eye of the Wind” where you cannot go.
Show running, where it is obvious the wind is pushing the sail.
Then show a broad reach, where the sail is still perpendicular to the wind, but the boat is headed left or right.
Then talk about beam reach. Show that the best sail position here is 45° to the wind.
Moving to a close reach, we still keep the sail at 45° to the wind.
Moving to close hauled, the sail is tucked into the centerline of the boat, we are sailing as close to the eye as we can, the sail is still about 45° to the wind. Some boats can sail a little closer.

18. Tiller / Wheel Operation
Push tiller the opposite of the way you want the rudder to go
“If it doesn't go the way you want, go the other way”
Wheel turns same way as a car
It is less obvious how much rudder has turned
Normally, small motions
Tacking – 45° rudder angle, most efficient
Jibing – less rudder angle, more gentle
Tiller
Push tiller handle opposite direction you want rudder to go.
“If it doesn't go the way you want it to, push it the other way!”
Wheel turns the way a car turns, but how much the rudder turns will often be much less obvious. Use a wheel mark if there is one.
Normally, try to make small corrections constantly.
When tacking, use 45° rudder angle – most efficient.
Jibe more slowly, less rudder angle.

19. Tacking Wind 3. Port Tack 1. Starboard Tack 2. Passing through
Show how to tack the boat through the eye of the wind.
Crew tacking requires coordination and specific commands among the crew.
Coming about starts with the sails close hauled. When the helmsman is ready to tack, he gives the command READY ABOUT! to alert the sail handlers to be prepared to release the jib sheets. The tiller is then quickly but smoothly moved 45° to leeward as the command HARD ALEE! or HELM'S ALEE! is given. As the bow moves through the eye of the
wind the sails will luff (shiver and ripple), the boom will begin to move across the boat, and normally the helmsman moves to what will become the windward side. As the bow passes just beyond the eye of the wind, the jib will catch the wind on the wrong side and help shove the bow around. As soon as the boom is over, the command CUT!, OVER!, or FLY YOUR SHEETS! is given, the jib is released and cleated for the new tack, and the tiller is brought amidships and the course corrected for the new tack. If a wheel vessel, make corresponding adjustments.
After you have turned at least 90°, you should be 45° off the wind on the other side. You may now adjust tiller and rudder to go on your next heading.
Tacking: Coming about. There are some differences between the single-handed tacking and crew tacking.
3. Coming about starts with the sails close hauled. When the helmsman is ready to tack, he gives the command READY ABOUT! to alert the sail handlers to be prepared to release the jib sheets. The tiller is then quickly but smoothly moved to leeward as the command HARD ALEE! or HELM'S ALEE! is given. As the bow moves through the eye of the
wind the sails will luff (shiver and ripple), the boom will begin to move across the boat, and normally the helmsman moves to what will become the windward side. As the bow passes just beyond the eye of the wind, the jib will catch the wind on the wrong side and help shove the bow around. As soon as the boom is over, the command CUT!, OVER!, or FLY YOUR SHEETS! is given, the jib is released and cleated for the new tack, and the tiller is brought amidships and the course corrected for the new tack. If a wheel vessel, make corresponding adjustments.
2. Passing through
the eye of the wind

20. Crew Coordination Scout must be in command
Provide warning “Prepare to tack / jibe”
Execute commands “Helm's alee” or “Jibe-ho”
Crew tighten main to start both tacks and jibes
Crew tighten downwind jib sheet as needed
As vessel passes through “Eye of the Wind”, release downwind jib sheet, haul in opposite sheet
Crew release main sheet slowly to new position
Crew tighten jib sheet with crank
Helm establishes desired heading R

21. Beating to Windward Series of tacks
Short tacks are more work, lose speed each turn
Long tacks more efficient, take you away from area
You may need to do this to race or just to stay off a lee shore.

22. Gybing /Jibeing Enough speed to turn Pull sail to centerline first
Tiller to windward slowly, wheel to leeward slowly
Shift weight if needed
After sail shifts, move sail and tiller / wheel to take up heading desired
Jibing is turning the boat's stern through the wind (moving the sails to the other side of the boat) while running downwind. It must be done carefully to keep the sails under control-a "controlled jibe" rather than an accidental one. The safest procedure is to trim the sail in. The goal is to minimize the boom's movement. Trim the sails in (particularly the main) and get ready with the command STAND BY TO JIBE! Then move the tiller carefully to windward, trim the main boom amidships, and sing out JIBE-O! At this point, all hands should duck to avoid the swinging boom. As the boom comes across, let your sheets run out smartly and set them for the new tack. Be sure sheets are clear before jibing - if they foul, you could capsize.
Show how to make a planned jibe with the stern to the eye of the wind.
The safest procedure is to trim the sail in. The goal is to minimize the boom's movement. Trim the sails in (particularly the main) and get ready with the command STAND BY TO JIBE! Then move the tiller carefully to windward, trim the main boom amidships, and sing out JIBE-O! At this point, all hands should duck to avoid the swinging boom. As the boom comes across, let your sheets run out smartly and set them for the new tack. Be sure sheets are clear before jibing - if they foul, you could capsize.
Insure that you have adequate speed. This is important so that you continue to have good speed at the start of the turn.
You may need to shift your weight in a small boat.
After you have turned you may now adjust tiller and rudder to go on your next heading.

23. Triangular Course Typical One jibe, two tacks Upwind, downwind
May need to beat upwind
Scouts demonstrate ability to sail course with help on main and jib sheets in sloop
Can be short legs
Scouts need only be in a leg of the triangular course long enough to gain speed and demonstrate proper turns and sail positions relative to the wind on each leg.
This is a demonstration/performance. When the Scout can perform, s/he should be given credit. If using sloops, use Clear Lake for this event if wind, tide and keel allow, to get more practice time.

24. Questions? R

25. (Quartermaster) Sailing
Elective Level 3
(Quartermaster) Sailing
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2010 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
This PowerPoint is provided for those who may not have appropriate training aids available in a ship or location. This generally follows a companion lesson plan available at I expect you to modify it to fit your situation and teaching style. I am more concerned that Scouts learn than this fit a specific style. I am, however, a fan of the Effective Teaching model. Teaching EDGE is somewhat simplistic in its approach, but that has some advantages.
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
Instructors: George Crowl

26. Course Outline
3. Know the principles of handling a schooner, ketch, yawl, or other suitable sailing vessel. Under competent oversight, take charge of a crew and demonstrate your ability to handle a suitable sailing vessel in all points of sail.

27. Ketch Has two masts – main and mizzen
Has mizzen sail, may have mizzen staysail
Usually 40’ or longer
May have cutter rig
Main mast is shorter
Mizzen mast is taller and further forward than a yawl

28. Best Points of Sail Best sail point is a reach
Close reach – bring your mizzen sail in tight
Light air – raise mizzen staysail
Overpowering? – drop the main, press on
See the article in the lesson plan for full details.

29. Advantages Same sail area, smaller sails & masts
Increased stability on reach
More sail combinations
Can steer by trimming mizzen
Ride bow into wind at anchor with mizzen
Weigh anchor in the direction you want to go by using the mizzen
Heave to using mizzen

30. Some Issues Don’t run downwind – mizzen blocks mainsail
Five sails is more complex than sloop
Each ketch is somewhat different
Probably slower than modern sloops
May not point upwind quite as well

31. Hints Start out sloop rigged Add the mizzen sail
Add the cutter staysail if available
Add the mizzen staysail if available
Observe how each sail affects the handling
Insure you dowse sails when needed before maneuvering

32. Yawl Has two masts – main and mizzen
Has mizzen sail, maybe mizzen staysail
Usually 40’ or longer
May have cutter rig
Main mast is shorter
Mizzen mast is shorter and further aft than a ketch, behind rudder post
We have a 40' Bermuda Hinckley yawl that we sail and teach sailing skills.  There would be very little difference between sailing a ketch and a yawl.  They both handle well in all kinds of weather.  It is very similar to sailing a sloop, the only difference being that they both have a mizzen mast and sail.  The mizzen sail acts as a stabilizer to keep your heading on a close reach or when at anchor to keep the boat pointed into the wind. The mizzen is a reaching sail for light or light to strong winds.  Its hoisted on the mizzen and tacked down between the main mast and the mizzen.  The sheets are fixed close to the stern.  It has to be lowered and rehoisted if you wish to tack or gybe.  You should furl your mizzen when running downwind since the mizzen sail is more likely to steal the wind out of your main sail.  Often the mizzen is sailed with a mizzen staysail which is hoisted forward of the mizzen mast and sheeted between the main and mizzen mast. Bob Kral, NE Region, Long Island Sound SEAL instructor.

33. Yawl Yawl characteristics are closer to a sloop
Both ketch and yawl handle similarly, the difference is in degree, not principles
Many of the advantages and issues are the same

34. Questions? R