A Keelboat Start Crewing course is the perfect start to becoming a skilled keelboat sailor. The course is Australian Sailing Accredited and instructed by qualified Australian Sailing Instructors. Start Crewing covers the basic safety, theory and practical skills involved in being a crew member on a small keelboat. 

Our Start Crewing course is conducted on our club 9.7m keelboat which is perfect for teaching and learning. We will provide you with a life jacket for your course. You will not need any special clothing for your course, however we request that you wear non-marking (or light coloured) soled shoes and make sure to bring warm clothing that you are able to get wet. On rainy or windy days it is a great idea to bring a towel and a change of clothes.

Each participant will receive a theory book and a log book as well as a certificate of participation (this may be emailed after the course). Please remember to bring your books to the second day of the course!

We will have a lunch break each day and you are welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch from our Member’s Bar. For safety reasons we are unable to take anyone on board who has consumed alcohol before or during the course.

Our two-day Keelboat Programs are priced at $300 per person for members, and $395 for non-members. 

Courses are capped at 5 students.

LENGTH

• 12 hour Two Day course  (2 x 6 hr days)  (A makeup date is also scheduled in the event of bad weather)

NEXT STEPS

Following the Start Crewing Course there are a number of options to continue your sailing:

• Repeat your Start Crewing course to consolidate your knowledge and achieve all outcomes ($50 discount for second course)
• Continue onto our Start Helming course to learn the basics of helming (steering) a small keelboat ($50 descount for future course)
• Join a crew looking for members and start club racing
• Explore our other courses

START CREWING OUTCOMES

Sailing Element	Criteria
Preparation	o Understands the importance of the correct fitting and wearing of lifejackets o Understands the importance of appropriate clothing and footwear
Boats and Equipment	o Has basic knowledge of sailing terms, can identify parts of a boat, rigging and sails o Can bend on, hoist, lower and stow sails
Ropework	o Can tie the following knots: figure of eight, bowline, round turn & two half hitches o Has basic knowledge of the use of sheets, halyards, winches, clutches, and cleats o Can coil and stow a rope
Skills and Techniques	o Understands the theory and basic principles of sailing including tacking and gybing o Has basic wind awareness o Can trim sails on all points of sail o Can tie up boat alongside using springs and mooring lines
Safety and Emergencies	o Understands the correct action to be taken to recover a man overboard o Understands the correct use of safety equipment on board o Is aware of hazards on board a boat and understands how to avoid them
Sailing Theory	o Has awareness of the basic rules of the road o Can maintain a continuous lookout

 

 

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Course Overview
This course introduces participants to the basics of sailing on keelboats, including boat handling, safety and sailing theory.

Course Prerequisites

Water confident.

Who should do this course?

This course is designed for participants who wish to begin sailing in a keelboat. Learn the basics, whilst staying relatively dry! All the equipment and gear will be provided by your accredited Discover Sailing Centre.

Course Outcome

You will gain your Start Crewing completion certificate.