Sailing Skills & Seamanship

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Letter from U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary CommodoreIntroductionPart One: Basic Skills and SeamanshipChapter 1ABOUT SAILBOATSWhat Is a Boat?Language of the SeaComponents of a SailboatHull TypesSteering SystemsOther RigsBoatbuilding MaterialsCoast Guard Customer InfolineMarine SurveyorsBuying a BoatPractice QuestionsChapter 2HOW A BOAT SAILSReading the WindPoints of Sailing: RunningPoints of Sailing: Close HauledPoints of Sailing: ReachingSail ShapeSail AdjustmentsWhen the Wind Picks UpPractice QuestionsChapter 3BASIC SAILBOAT MANEUVERINGTacking and JibingSailing a CourseStability and Angle of HeelKnowing Your BoatPractice QuestionsChapter 4RIGGING AND BOAT HANDLINGStepping the MastMaking SailSailing AwayUnder SailReturning to PortAnchoringPractice QuestionsChapter 5EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR BOATRequirements for Your BoatFire Prevention and DetectionYour Boat’s EquipmentLegal ConsiderationsPractice QuestionsChapter 6TRAILERING YOUR SAILBOATLegal ConsiderationsPractical ConsiderationsThe Towing VehicleTrailer HitchesBalancing the LoadHandling Your TrailerPredeparture ChecksPreparing to LaunchSailboat Trailering: Raising the MastLaunchingRetrievingStoring Your Boat and TrailerTheft PreventionAquatic Nuisance SpeciesFloat PlanPractice QuestionsChapter 7YOUR “HIGHWAY” SIGNSBuoyage SystemsWaterway MarksHow Waterways Are MarkedLight CharacteristicsChart SymbolsLight StructuresLights on BridgesElectronic Aids to NavigationNavigation PublicationsPractice QuestionsChapter 8THE RULES OF THE NAUTICAL ROADTwo Sets of RulesTo Whom Do the Rules Apply?Vessel DefinitionsThe General Responsibility RuleGeneral ConsiderationsConduct in Narrow ChannelsTraffic Separation SchemesStand-On or Give-Way?Rules for Special VesselsRisk of CollisionBend SignalsRestricted VisibilityVessel Lights and ShapesDistress SignalsHomeland Security MeasuresCourtesy and SafetyDrawbridgesPenaltiesPractice QuestionsChapter 9INLAND BOATINGInland WatersInland NavigationInland SeamanshipRiver CurrentsMaintaining Inland WaterwaysDamsLocksRiver ChartsCommercial TrafficBefore You GoPractice QuestionsChapter 10SAILING SAFETYSmall Boat SafetyMan OverboardCold WaterSharing the Water with Other BoatsFueling Your BoatCarbon Monoxide PoisoningWeatherPractice QuestionsPart Two: More Sailing SkillsChapter 11MORE ON SAIL TRIM AND BOAT HANDLINGSetting Up the Standing RiggingFractional RigsLee and Weather HelmMainsail Trim and ShapeHeadsails and Headsail TrimWhen the Wind IncreasesDisabled RudderPractice QuestionsChapter 12INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATIONNautical ChartsShip’s CompassFixing Your PositionSources of Compass ErrorCorrecting a Compass ReadingFinding Your PositionSpeed-Time-DistanceDead ReckoningTidesElectronic NavigationGPS OperationPractice Your ArtA Further InvitationPractice QuestionsChapter 13ENGINES FOR SAILBOATSOutboard EnginesInboard Auxiliary EnginesDiesel Engine Maintenance and TroubleshootingBatteriesSailboat PropellersGalvanic ActionA Basic Tool KitPractice QuestionsChapter 14LINES AND KNOTS FOR YOUR BOATLine or Rope?Rope MaterialsRope ConstructionMeasuring RopeCare of RopeMaking Up a LineKnots, Bends, and HitchesSplicesSecuring LinesLead LinesDipping the EyePractice QuestionsChapter 15WEATHER AND SAILINGWeather InformationWind and BoatingUnderstanding WeatherNonfrontal WeatherThe Go, No-Go DecisionPractice QuestionsChapter 16YOUR BOAT’S RADIOCommunications on the WaterFunctions of RadiotelephonesLicensesSelecting Your VHF-FM RadioInstallationOperating Your VHF-FMCopies of the RulesCalling Another StationProcedure WordsPhonetic AlphabetRoutine Radio CheckDistress, Urgency, and Safety CallsCrew TrainingPractice QuestionsAPPENDICESAppendix A: Your Responsibilities as a Boat OperatorAppendix B: Float Plan Form and Boating Emergency GuideAppendix C: Boating Accident Report FormAppendix D: Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Radio Fact Sheet and MMSI Registration FormAppendix E: Metric Conversion TablesAppendix F: Vessel Safety CheckAppendix G: Join the Coast Guard AuxiliaryAppendix H: Become an Associate MemberAppendix I: Preventive Boat Maintenance ChecklistANSWER KEYGLOSSARYINDEX