So you are new to sailing and you don't know what you don't know. What are 'points of sail', or 'stand-on vessel' or 'leeward' (pronounced lew-ard)? This is a good place to start. OR Are you facing the prospect of taking the 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing written test? After completing this course you will be able to pass the exam with flying colors.
Additionally, you will have the knowledge that will bring you to a whole new level of understanding sailing: terminology that will become automatic, and concepts that make sense of your on-the-water experience.
Read more
So you are new to sailing and you don't know what you don't know. What are 'points of sail', or 'stand-on vessel' or 'leeward' (pronounced lew-ard)? This is a good place to start. OR Are you facing the prospect of taking the 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing written test? After completing this course you will be able to pass the exam with flying colors.
Additionally, you will have the knowledge that will bring you to a whole new level of understanding sailing: terminology that will become automatic, and concepts that make sense of your on-the-water experience.
So you are new to sailing and you don't know what you don't know. What are 'points of sail', or 'stand-on vessel' or 'leeward' (pronounced lew-ard)? This is a good place to start. OR Are you facing the prospect of taking the 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing written test? After completing this course you will be able to pass the exam with flying colors.
Additionally, you will have the knowledge that will bring you to a whole new level of understanding sailing: terminology that will become automatic, and concepts that make sense of your on-the-water experience.
- Learn sailing basics – and be safe on the water
- Ace your written knowledge exam – without test anxiety
- Accelerate your learning – fast, easy and more efficient than reading
This course is patterned after the format of the American Sailing Association's learn to sail programs. It does not take the place of an ASA instructor or on-the-water practice and experience. However it contains a body of essential knowledge to advance your skills and seamanship.
This course is over two hours of content – utilizing over 250 colorful pictures, graphics, narrations and tips to add to your experience of having “been there done that" (before you ever face the situation on the water for the first time). The content is divided into six modules: Poiints of Sail; Terminology (SailorSpeak); Rules of the Road; Basic Navigation; Knots to Know; and Required/Good to Know. Supplemental content covers several topics in detail… all essential foundational knowledge to keep you safe in a sailboat during day in light to moderate sea conditions and winds.
What's inside
Syllabus
Section Four Lecture 7: What do you do when faced with another boat coming toward you in close proximity? This lecture explains the Rules of the Road and examples of practical collision avoidance
Read more
Syllabus
Section Four Lecture 7: What do you do when faced with another boat coming toward you in close proximity? This lecture explains the Rules of the Road and examples of practical collision avoidance
Section One Lecture 1: This six minute orientation and introduction gives you a course overview so you can decide whether or not this course is for you. It also includes a short video introduction by the author/narrator, Captain Howard Edson, plus supplemental content, and tips, opinions and stories from the author's sailing and teaching experience that bring the course alive. The knowledge you need to get a grade of 100% (or at least high honors) is embedded in the content of this course.
Section Two Lecture 2: This is the first of three lectures in Section 2 on the essence of sailing. It introduces to you to new nomenclature, or "SailorSpeak", and to a new relationship with the wind.
Section Two Lecture 3: on the very essence of sailing a boat. It introduces to you proper descriptions of the relationships between the sails and the wind in terms that have come down us from hundreds of years of sailing.
Section Two Lecture 4 on the essence of sail. This lecture continues focus on sails and sail nomenclature.
Section three Lecture 5 : Learn the common language of sailing terms and boat parts necessary for teamwork and safety, presented in narrated pictures.
Section 4 Lecture 6: The pecking order classifies the various types of vessels based upon relative maneuverability -- a building block for understanding the Rules of the Road
Section 4 Lecture 8: Correctly reading navigation lights in the dead of night is essential for understanding your relationship to another vessel, and altering course properly to avoid a collision.
Section Five Lecture 9: Understand the principals of the IALA B buoyage system in use in the Western hemisphere, and how channel marks guide mariners to keep them in deep water and off obstructions
Section Five Lecture 10: Learn the various beacons and buoys, and their meanings, that one will encounter while cruising... illustrated for easy recognition in the future on the water.
Section Six Lecture 11: How to tie six basic sailing knots and hitches; characteristics and purpose of each knot
Section Seven Lecture 12: Don't leave the dock without your "six legal six pack"... or you may get a ticket. And here is a pot pourri of things good to know, both for your learning and because they are on your exam.
Section Five Lecture 13: Essential practice in discerning what tack am I on
Traffic lights
Save this course
Save
Reviews summary
Prepare for basic keelboat sailing exam
Uses visuals, narration, and instructor stories.
Covers essential sailing basics for beginners.
Course targets success on the written exam.
Activities
Read 'Sailing for Dummies'
Show steps
Gain a broader understanding of sailing principles and terminology. This book offers a beginner-friendly approach to sailing, complementing the course's focus on exam preparation.
View
Sailing For Dummies
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the chapters on basic sailing concepts.
-
Take notes on key terms and definitions.
-
Review the book's diagrams of boat parts and sail positions.
Practice Knot Tying
Show steps
Reinforce your knot-tying skills through repetitive practice. This will improve your muscle memory and ensure you can quickly and accurately tie essential sailing knots.
Show steps
-
Gather rope or cord for practicing.
-
Watch videos demonstrating each knot.
-
Practice tying each knot repeatedly until proficient.
-
Test your speed and accuracy.
Create a SailorSpeak Flashcard Set
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of sailing terminology by creating a comprehensive set of flashcards. This active learning approach will help you memorize and internalize key terms.
Show steps
-
Compile a list of essential sailing terms from the course.
-
Write definitions and illustrations for each term.
-
Create physical or digital flashcards.
-
Use the flashcards to quiz yourself regularly.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Consult 'Chapman Piloting & Seamanship'
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of seamanship beyond the scope of the exam. This book provides a wealth of information on various sailing topics, enhancing your overall understanding of boating.
View
Putting Knowledge to Work
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Browse the table of contents to identify relevant sections.
-
Read chapters on navigation, safety, and boat handling.
-
Refer to the book for clarification on complex topics.
Design a Collision Avoidance Scenario
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of the Rules of the Road by creating a detailed collision avoidance scenario. This project will challenge you to think critically and creatively about real-world sailing situations.
Show steps
-
Research common collision scenarios.
-
Create a detailed scenario with multiple vessels and potential hazards.
-
Diagram the scenario, showing vessel positions and courses.
-
Explain the actions each vessel should take to avoid a collision.
Answer Questions in Sailing Forums
Show steps
Solidify your understanding by helping others learn. Explaining concepts to others reinforces your own knowledge and identifies areas where you may need further study.
Show steps
-
Find online sailing forums or communities.
-
Browse the forums for questions related to the course material.
-
Provide clear and accurate answers to the questions.
-
Engage in discussions and offer helpful advice.
Read 'Sailing for Dummies'
Show steps
Gain a broader understanding of sailing principles and terminology. This book offers a beginner-friendly approach to sailing, complementing the course's focus on exam preparation.
View
Sailing For Dummies
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read the chapters on basic sailing concepts.
- Take notes on key terms and definitions.
- Review the book's diagrams of boat parts and sail positions.
Practice Knot Tying
Show steps
Reinforce your knot-tying skills through repetitive practice. This will improve your muscle memory and ensure you can quickly and accurately tie essential sailing knots.
Show steps
- Gather rope or cord for practicing.
- Watch videos demonstrating each knot.
- Practice tying each knot repeatedly until proficient.
- Test your speed and accuracy.
Create a SailorSpeak Flashcard Set
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of sailing terminology by creating a comprehensive set of flashcards. This active learning approach will help you memorize and internalize key terms.
Show steps
- Compile a list of essential sailing terms from the course.
- Write definitions and illustrations for each term.
- Create physical or digital flashcards.
- Use the flashcards to quiz yourself regularly.
Consult 'Chapman Piloting & Seamanship'
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of seamanship beyond the scope of the exam. This book provides a wealth of information on various sailing topics, enhancing your overall understanding of boating.
View
Putting Knowledge to Work
on Amazon
Show steps
- Browse the table of contents to identify relevant sections.
- Read chapters on navigation, safety, and boat handling.
- Refer to the book for clarification on complex topics.
Design a Collision Avoidance Scenario
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of the Rules of the Road by creating a detailed collision avoidance scenario. This project will challenge you to think critically and creatively about real-world sailing situations.
Show steps
- Research common collision scenarios.
- Create a detailed scenario with multiple vessels and potential hazards.
- Diagram the scenario, showing vessel positions and courses.
- Explain the actions each vessel should take to avoid a collision.
Answer Questions in Sailing Forums
Show steps
Solidify your understanding by helping others learn. Explaining concepts to others reinforces your own knowledge and identifies areas where you may need further study.
Show steps
- Find online sailing forums or communities.
- Browse the forums for questions related to the course material.
- Provide clear and accurate answers to the questions.
- Engage in discussions and offer helpful advice.
Career center
Sailing Instructor
Charter Captain
Boat Delivery Captain
Harbor Master
Yacht Broker
Sailing Journalist
Marine Surveyor
Coast Guard Officer
Naval Architect
Marine Biologist
Marine Electrician
Customer Service Representative
Chef
Scuba Instructor
Tourism Professional
Reading list
Save
Share
Similar courses
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
