Satuit Boat Club Junior Sailing

 

SBC Junior Sailing General Information

 

About The Program

 

The Satuit Boat Club was founded in 1944 with a stated mission being:

"The Satuit Boat Club shall be a non-profit organization, operated for the purpose of furthering knowledge and skill in handling power and sail boats while cruising, day sailing or racing; to emphasize rights and privileges under maritime law and to teach safety precautions needed to prevent accidents on or in the water; to render assistance to others in trouble on the water whenever possible."

It is a club enjoyed by many of all ages. With just the right amount of facilities and services to ensure full enjoyment of the ocean, the Boat Club allows people to pursue all possible ways of taking advantage of Scituate Harbor and surrounding waters.

The Boat Club is not a place where anybody really cares what one does for a living. The important questions are whether or not you got out on the water that day. And most conversations revolve around where one’s cruised, how the racing went, just how big was the fish that got away, will the weather get better or worse, how the family is, and occasionally topics involving shore side events. On any given day one will find children of all ages, from tots to teens, involved in unstructured games and play as they build life-long friendships.

Thanks to the support of its varied members, we are pleased to share the Satuit Boat Club’s Junior Sailing Program with you on these web pages.

See you on the water!

 


The general class descriptions are as follows:

 

INTRODUCTORY TURNABOUT and OPTIMIST - This class is intended for the little tykes 4-6 years old. They get a fun exposure to sailing, the water, class instruction, and the joys of messing about in boats. There will always be an experienced instructor or junior instructor on board.

BEGINNER TURNABOUT and MERCURY - This class is for kids 6-10 or so who have essentially had little or no prior sailing experience or instruction. It is a follow up to the Introductory session as they age or a first introduction to all the joys of sailing.

INTERMEDIATE TURNABOUT and MERCURY - These classes are for developing sailors aged 8-13+ who are able to sail unassisted. Usually they will sail in pairs. Emphasis will be on sailing fundamentals including boat handling and sail trim. An introduction to small boat racing will be enjoyed as well.

ADVANCED TURNABOUT and MERCURY - This class is for the experienced turnabout and Mercury sailors from 10-13+. The classes will have an emphasis on improving sailing and racing skills.

BASIC OPTIMIST  - These classes are for developing sailors aged 8-10+ who are able to sail unassisted.  Emphasis will be on sailing fundamentals including boat handling and sail trim. An introduction to small boat racing will be enjoyed as well.

ADVANCED OPTIMIST - This class is for experienced teen sailors who will have their first exposure to sailing Optimists. They will quickly be brought up to speed on these boats and get the opportunity to learn much of the challenges and strategies involved in sailing and racing these boats.

BASIC 420 - This class is for experienced teen sailors who will have their first exposure to sailing 420's. They will quickly be brought up to speed on these boats and get the opportunity to learn much of the challenges and strategies involved in sailing and racing these boats.

ADVANCED 420 - This class is for students who have had previous experience sailing and racing 420's. The students will get the opportunity to greatly hone their sailing and racing skills.

 

Safety

 

The Satuit Boat Club, as part of it’s Junior Sailing program, emphasizes safety on and around the water and respect for the sea, weather, others, and property. The Club has specific bylaws, float, house and other rules that dictate behavior and proper use of facilities. The instructors are responsible for using their best judgment in specific circumstances while running the day-to-day activities of the Junior Sailing Program. Parents assume all risk and liability for their children's participation in the program and are ultimately responsible for the proper behavior and safety of their children.

General Junior sailing rules - In order to take the best advantage of the learning experience provided by the club some general rules have been established. Failure to observe Boat Club rules could result in removal from the program and loss of club privileges.

·        Respect for Property - Junior Sailors need to take care of the boats, equipment, and facilities available to them, while setting up, using, and putting away. In addition, they need to ensure they are careful not to interfere with other boats and activities in the harbor. Float and House Rules will apply at all times.

·        Safety - At all times the Junior Sailors need to be mindful of safety on and around the water. This includes alertness and application of proper seamanship in all weather conditions. The instructors will guide the sailors and make final determination of proper activities given existing conditions. Lessons will be restricted to shoreside (i.e. no sailing) during thunderstorms and high winds or other stormy conditions. Proper PFD's with attached whistles must be worn at all times on the water. Instructors are required to have junior sailors in sight at all times.

·        Rules of the Road - as a part of their learning experience, Junior sailors will learn the proper Rights of Way and other rules of the road while sailing.

·        Variety of Crew Situations - In order to develop good communication and versatile sailing, skippering, and crewing skills, all participants will enjoy changing skipper/crew combinations such that all sailors in a particular class will get to assume all responsibilities on a boat with all the different members of their class.

 


As to clothing and equipment must-haves, please recognize the kids are on the water and exposed to the elements so should dress accordingly for varying temperature and weather conditions. They will not be allowed to sail without wearing a coast guard approved life jacket with whistle attached and adequate footwear as determined by the instructors for the boat involved (sneakers or boat shoes are fine). Also please ensure the sailor has appropriate sunscreen and sun glare (sun glasses, hat, or visor) protection and bring beverages and snacks appropriate for their time at the club.

As to proper conduct during lessons, please note that the instructors call the shots, but are subject to recognition that the club is comprised of many members, all of whom wish to enjoy its benefits. Please refer to house and float rules as well as the rest of the club constitution. The program is designed to teach kids to sail, not for babysitting. Good seamanship includes appropriate behavior on land as well as on the ocean.

Thank you for your cooperation. Have a happy and safe summer!

 

Objectives

 

The SBC Junior Sailing Program will focus on the "High 5-S's" of sailing:

1. Skill - Sail Smart

2. Speed - Sail Fast

3. Seamanship - Sail Safely

4. Sportsmanship - Sail Fairly

5. Smile - Sail Happy

 


The development of higher sailing skills will include the following:

·        Boat handling and sail trim.

·        Straight line sailing and holding a steady helm.

·        Reading sail and rudder pressure.

·        Optimal crew positioning

·        Tactics for tacking, mark roundings, and starts.

·        Understanding strategy of rules, wind and sea state.

·        Rigging, de-rigging, and general care and maintenance of boats.

·        Awareness of other boats and their potential interaction

·        Rigging, de-rigging and putting away

·        Getting on and off the boat

·        Launching the boat (from the dock and from land)

·        Landing and landing the boat

·        Proper weight and balance on all points of sail and conditions

·        Tacking , jibing, optimal boat speed

·        Alertness to other boats, hazards and to the wind

·        Maintenance, navigation, seamanship

 

 


Racing Objectives- Some of the fundamental objectives to be covered in class include:

·        Starts:

·        Time and countdown

·        Where to be

·        Clean air

·        Upwind

·        Flat boats

·        Clear air

·        Boat Speed

·        Use of tell-tales

·        Use of other wind indications (e.g. other boats)

·        Laylines

·        Downwind

·        Weight distribution

·        Centerboard

·        Jibes

·        Clear air

·        General

·        Current

·        Other boats

·        Wind changes ahead

·        Communication

·        Strategies

·        Racing Rules

·        Exposure to regattas and other racing situations

The instructors have the opportunity to help kids develop lifelong skills and love for sailing

 

Regattas

 

There will be several opportunities to participate in regattas in the south shore area, and the Junior Sailing Program encourages this participation due to the opportunity provided in putting one's knowledge and skill to practice. Opti owners are responsible for their own boats. Turnabout usage requires the permission of the turnabout owners who must be contacted directly. The official policy of the use of the clubs 420's does not allow use of the boats beyond Scituate Harbor. Please communicate with the instructors and review notices on the club bulletin boards for regatta and special event information.