OAKCLIFF SAILING MARK BOAT OPPERATOR COURSE

What do we have to look forward too?

Hull Types and CharacteristicsRigid Inflatable Hulls [planing] Rigid v-bottomHigh stability High load capacityExceptional seaworthiness in rough water

Safety Equipment PFDsFive types of PFDsType I – Offshore Life jacket22 lbs buoyancy-adults /11 lbs-childWill turn unconscious person face-up Type IV – Throwable DeviceType V – Special use DevicesInflatable vests, etc.No inherent buoyancyMust be worn

Type II – Near-Shore Life VestMin. of 15.5 lbs for adults / 11 lbs for childrenWill turn some unconscious people face-upType III – Flotation AidBuoyancy the same as Type IIWill not turn unconscious person face-upMost commonPFD’s Continued

Safety EquipmentPFDsProper use of PFDs is integral!Should fit snugly but still allow movementIf you can pull it up around your head on land, the same thing will happen in the waterAny PFD with a tear or hole in it is no longer Coast Guard approved

Safety EquipmentFederal Requirements for boats under 26ftOne life jacket for each person on board. Must be readily available.Children under 13 MUST wear a lifejacket while underway (on any size vessel) unless below decks or in an enclosed cabinOver 16ft – one Type IV throwable device Sound producing device Air horn, whistle, manual horn, etc.Fire extinguisher Under 26ft – one B-IA – combustible material (wood)B – flammable liquids (gas)C – electrical (wiring) D – combustible metals (magnesium)Under 16ft - Visual distress signals if used at night 16ft up – MUST carry approved day/night visual distress signals

Safety EquipmentRecommended EquipmentAnchor + rodeVHF RadioKnifeFirst Aid KitSpare parts / tool kitHand bilge pumpTow line / spare line

Engine Information OutboardsEngine mounted on transom of boat2hp – 350+ hp2-stroke or 4-stroke 2-strokes fire once every revolution of the crankshaftPower / intake-exhaust; compression4-strokes fire once every 2 revolutions of the crankshaftIntake – compression – power - exhaust2-strokes use a gas/oil mixture4-strokes use straight gas (oil is in the crankcase)Traditional 2-strokes are becoming obsoleteBad for the environmentLess fuel efficient

Engine InformationOutboardsVariable shaft lengthsCan be tilted all the way up or removed for storage

Engine InformationProper fueling procedures Common fueling mistakesForget to vent the jerry canNozzle not tightly attached to jerry canOverfillingPouring one tank straight into another without a funnel or nozzlePouring fuel into a deck fill that is NOT for fuel

Engine InformationProper start-up procedures for gas engines Inspect all hoses and wiresCheck fuel, oil and transmission fluid levelsRun blower for 4 min (inboards)Lower engine into water (outboards and I/Os)Open vent, pump fuel primer bulb until firmEnsure that gear shift is in neutralAttach stop switch (kill switch)Pull cord / turn key to startUse choke and adjust idle as needed until running smoothlyOnce running, MAKE SURE THERE IS A STREAM OF WATER FLOWING FROM THE INSPECTION OUTLETCheck gauges

Engine InformationTroubleshootingFuel – Spark – Compression!Nothing happens when you turn the keySpark – is the battery dead? Are you in neutral?Engine turns over but won’t catchFuel – is the engine getting gas? Is there water in the gas? Is the fuel line attached backwards?STOP SWITCH!Engine runs fine at idle but kills when at higher RPMSpark – bad spark plug? Loose spark plug lead?

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Markset Boat ResponsibilitiesLaying MarksTaking/relaying/recording wind readingsTaking and recording mark roundingsSignaling changesSafety or towingSignaling competitorsWhat else?Sailors for the SEA, we are trying to get silver status. Leave no trace!Implementing Emergency action plan, if needed.

Emergency Action planReview the plan with everybody at the RC meetingBe Clear as to who is in charge at EmergencyFirst boat thereSenior Mark boat race officerDr on courseHAVE a copy onboard your boat!

Types of Race Courses Most common Match Race Course is windward-leeward with a gate.

Tools of the Trade

VHF Protocol and UsageProper radio protocol16/9 ChannelChannelsTagSquelchVolumeScanDualH/LLockCH/WXU/I/C

VHF Protocol and UsageHow to operate Things to rememberPosition VHF perpendicular to the wind or directly downwindThe Hi/Lo function ONLY affects your transmitting power – it does not increase your receiving powerThe antenna is most effective held straight up and down as high as you can hold itWait a second after depressing the call button before speaking (it will save people a lot of frustration)BE SUCCINCT! It is not a telephone. Have a point and get to it quickly.

VHF Protocol and UsageChannels:16 – International Distress, Safety and Calling69- OAKCLIFF SAILING working channel09 – Recreational hailing22a – Coast GuardNon Commercial Working Channels68, 69, 71, 78A; 72 (intership only); 79A, WX – Weather ChannelsVHF channels are monitored by the USCG, Marine Police and othersIt is against the law to use these channels improperlyThey can find you!

Communication between Markset boat & Signal boatKeep transmission succinct & to the pointALWAYS REPEAT WHAT YOU HEARDALWAYS REPEAT WHAT YOU HEARDIf you haven’t heard anything in a while, you are on the wrong channelMake sure you are not transmitting when you call the RO something unkind

Taking Wind ReadingsMake sure you have clear airNever stand by any electronics or enginesTake them continuously…or the RO will yell at youHand Bearing CompassAKA Hockey PuckWind wand

GPSPractice, practice, practice!Practice some more.Here is the main screenGARMIN 76

GPSHere is what you will see if you press and hold ‘MARK’

Tape RecorderWhy do I need this?Pin boat for Starts- back up scribe, take down #’sHelps “recreate” situations for JuryHard to argue with a tape! Mini Tapes are more user-Friendly!

Range FinderEasiest method to estimate distance between gates.Gate Distance:Match Racing = 2.5 boat lengthsGate Distance in Fleet racing =5-7 boat lengths

Clipboard & Course Angle helper

Horn and FlagsWhat Flags do I need? For a Match Race?C Flag RedGreenWhiteM-FlagN-FlagNumbers 1,2,3,4,6,8For a Fleet Race?C-FlagN-FlagRed SquareGreen TriangleM-FlagS-FlagPlus or Minus board

The MARK and it’s bitsMarkHow do I drop and know it hit bottomCounterweightRodeHow much do I put in?What do I do with the slack?Help I don’t have enough line?AnchorLittle marks use a mushroomBig marks use a danforth with chain

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Boat OperationDeparting and returning to a dock Jay’s rules of docking:Approach a dock as fast as you want to hit it.You will hit a dock eventually. Try to do it when no one else is around.Feel free to laugh at another’s docking mishaps, only after you have rendered assistance.Don’t forget – docking is a spectator sport!

Boat Operation Departing and returning to a dock (for real)Wind and current play MAJOR factors into docking. Always plan ahead to account for both.Try to dock on the leeward side if you are going to be staying for any length of time.Have lines and fenders ready BEFORE getting to the dock.Depending on the wind, you should be approaching from anywhere between 20-45 degrees.You should be able to bring boat to stop at dock without using lines to stop you.

Boat OperationDeparting and returning to a dock Things to avoid:NEVER try to stop a boat without using a cleatNEVER put your body between a boat and a dock - bones are harder to repair than fiberglass!NEVER do the Leap Of Faith onto the dockNEVER jump off the bow and pull it in as fast and tightly as you can

Boat OperationBeginning of the DAYDO I HAVE FUEL? Is it enough?Are the tubes inflated? They should be HARD!Is there drinking water in the boat?Is all my Equipment in the boatFlags, HORN, ect.Remove, fold and stow coverTurn on BatteryTake NOTE of MooringLower engineLines out of waterQuick radio checkLeave mooring and get marks

Boat OperationProper boat storage – At the dock then to mooringBoat fueled at OBMC Boat rinsed off after fueledTake boat to designated mooringAttach mooring line to bow ring. NOT OVER TUBE!!!CHAFE IS AN INFLATABLE’S BOAT BIGGEST ENEMYEngine raised Steering wheel turned so steering arm is enclosedLines checked and coiledBattery switched off (if appropriate)Any gear that was used stowed appropriatelyCover onGarbage emptied

Maneuvering ConceptsUncontrollable forces affecting a boatWind Windage causes bow to fall off and boat to drift sidewaysIncreased freeboard = increase windage effectWindage affects your turning arcCurrentWill move boat along as if on a conveyor beltSize, shape, etc. do not matter – current effects all things equally

Maneuvering ConceptsHow boats turnDirected Thrust Outboards, stern drives, jet drivesWhen a propeller is turned at an angle, its thrust is directed at an angle, which turns the boatIf propeller is not rotating, then no thrust, so no steerageRudder Boats with a fixed propeller use a rudder to direct the flow of waterWater flowing over the rudder creates lift (sideways force) and turns the boatNo water flowing over the rudder = no steeragePivot Point In forward, a boats pivot point is located 25% to 40% aft from the bowAlways steer the pivot point along the path you want to steer!Where is the pivot point on a boat in reverse?

Maneuvering ConceptsPlanning hulls behave like displacement hulls at low speedAt a certain speed, the hull goes through a transition stage called semi-displacement as it climbs the face of its bow wave Once the boat moves over the top of its bow wave, it levels off and begins to planeWhere is the most optimum fuel consumption for a planing hull?Just as the boat has come comfortably on a plane

Mark Laying ProcessFirst, obtain location of signal boatCan be done by ‘pinging’ it when you are next to the boat or by inputting a lat/longNext, obtain the course heading and distance the mark should be laid atTravel to the locationWait for final confirmation from your RO to lay the markCrew trails the mark and drops on the driver’s call

What happens if you do it wrong?

Retrieving a MarkDriver approaches mark from downwind to upwindCrew grabs mark and either places it inside the boat or attaches it to a cleatBring the counterweight into the boatAs driver moves upwind, take up slack on the anchor until you are directly over itPull upwards to break the hold and hoist into the boat

Inside the Markset BoatStay in the gameDon’t drift away from your locationDon’t tune out after you drop your marksWind readings, wind readings, wind readings!Always communicate your intentions between the driver and the crewThis avoids wrapped props and hurt feelingsNO YELLING ON THE BOAT!Did I mention wind readings?HAVE FUN

LUNCH

Capsize Recovery Methods

Capsize Recovery MethodsGenerally speaking, there are 3 types of capsized vessels:Surface capsize, turtle, and turtled with mast stuck in mudFirst & Foremost – assess the situation to decide what level of assistance is neededDo a head count before approaching the vesselDetermine the condition of the sailorsDetermine the condition of the boatMany times, the sailors will perform a self rescue of their vesselHold position near the boat and monitor the situationOften times, safety boat crew will be called upon to audibly walk sailors through one of these methods so it is important to know what they entailIf assistance is required, use one of the prescribed assisted rescue methods in the book.

Capsize Recovery MethodsTurtled Boat RescuesNot in book – Bow Line Pull when mast in mudCenterboard Hug/Pull Rescue

Capsize Recovery MethodsTurtled Boat Rescues with Mast Stuck in Mud

TowingWhen is a tow needed?No windDisabled vesselPicking up a towWhere should tow line be attached?Who’s line is being used?This may affect how you approach the vesselUse proper driving technique while towingAccelerate/decelerate at a constant rate to avoid jerking or severe line slack.Make sure to inform the towed vessel driver to steer at your transom (avoid the waterskier effect).

Towing (Continued…)When towing a sailboat, what should happen with the sails?In any kind of measurable breeze it is dangerous to tow a boat with the mainsail up in any direction but directly upwind.If you are towing multiple boats and one falls off the tow, maintain tension for the remaining boats and circle around to pick them up.

TowingFive Types of towing methods Towing alongside - MOST COMMON for Match 40Daisy Chain - OptimistDouble-line – Skiff & CatHerringbone TowCommon for 420’s

OTW BriefingMinimum Control SpeedHolding Position – Up & DownwindPivot TurnSetting a MarkCreating a WaypointTaking a Wind ReadingDocking Practice – Departing & Returning