Chapter 3 - Ratings and Boat Use Procedures

3.1 Ratings

 To encourage safe sailing and lessen damage to the boats, the Club restricts self-service use of its boats to current members who have passed a series of written and on-the-water tests. The fleets of boats have been divided into two groups, those designed to be handled by one person (Lasers, Finns) and those to be handled by two or more people (Laser IIs, 420s, 470s, Flying Juniors, 505s). Only one member in a double-handed boat need have a current double-handed rating. After they pass the Novice Written test, members may sail with the permission of a Chief, Instructor, or Ratings Examiner. The three rating levels are: Novice, Intermediate, and Skipper. Each rating level has separate single-handed and double-handed on-the-water tests.

3.1.1 Novice

A Novice rating is obtained by passing the Novice Written Test and demonstrating rigging procedures, basic maneuvers, man overboard drill, docking and a capsize recovery in at least 3 knots of wind. Novice sailors are restricted to sailing on Union Bay in less than 7 knots of wind. A single-handed Novice may sail Lasers. A double-handed Novice may sail 420s, Laser IIs, Flying Juniors or the Flying Scot. All Novice ratings expire after six months.

3.1.2 Intermediate

To obtain an Intermediate rating, a member must rig and derig the boat, perform maneuvers with good control under marginal hiking conditions, and perform a wet capsize, i.e., recover from a capsize in which the skipper and crew enter the water. An Intermediate rating allows a member to sail in Union bay in winds up to 15 knots. A single-handed Intermediate may sail Lasers and the Finn after demonstrating rigging procedures to any Chief. A double-handed Intermediate may sail 420s, Laser IIs, Flying Juniors, 470s, the Flying Scot, the Catalina, or the Minuteman.

3.1.3 Skipper

To obtain a Skipper rating, a member must pass the Novice and Skipper Written Tests, demonstrate a high level of proficiency and control in maneuvers in winds over 15 knots, including man overboard and docking procedures and recovery from a fully-turtled position. With a Skipper rating, a member may sail any boat in almost any conditions and in all interconnecting water east of the Aurora Bridge, with restrictions when "Hazardous Weather" signs are posted. Double-handed Skippers may sail 505 after demonstrating rigging procedures to a Chief.

3.1.4 Instructors

Instructors must have at least one Skipper rating and a Whaler rating. They are certified by a present or past Vice Commodore and attend an Instructor Clinic. Intermediate sailors may teach under special circumstances. Sailors with Intermediate ratings are encouraged to help teach as Assistant Instructors.

3.1.5 Specialty Ratings

Special ratings are required for Sailboard, Catamaran, Keelboat, and non-emergency Whaler use.

3.1.5.1 Sailboards

Sailboards have three rating levels: Novice, Intermediate and Skipper. Novice and Intermediate sailboarders are restricted to Union bay. Sailboard Skippers may sail with wetsuits (or drysuits) and a harness in Lake Washington south of a line between Sandpoint and Kirkland, and north of the Evergreen Point Bridge. Sailboard ratings are given by Chiefs with Sailboard ratings. Ratings are given after completion of Novice and Sailboard Written Test and an on-the-water test. Other rules for Club Sailboard use are described in Appendix A.3.3.

3.1.5.2 Catamaran

Specialty ratings are required for catamaran sailing. A Hobie 16 requires and equal or higher double-handed rating. The SuperCat 20 requires a catamaran skipper.

3.1.5.3 Keelboat Novice

To become a Keelboat Novice, one must pass the Dinghy Skipper Written Test and take a practical test consisting of familiarization with the operation of the equipment aboard WYC keelboats, maneuvering under both power and sail, rigging, derigging, docking, man overboard recovery, reefing and changing headsails. This test may be taken from any Chief who is a Keelboat Skipper. A keelboat Novice may sail a rental Keelboat in all interconnecting waters east of the Aurora Bridge, during hours covered by a rental payment. The boat must be returned to the WYC at the end of each day (midnight).

3.1.5.4 Keelboat Skipper

A Keelboat Skipper may sail a rental Keelboat in all interconnecting waters east of Cape Flattery, Washington, and south of Malcolm Island, B.C., during all hours covered by a rental payment. To obtain this rating, one must pass Centerboard Novice and Skipper Written Tests and the rental Keelboat Skipper written test. The latter is an extensive test on navigation, rules of the road, emergency procedures, local knowledge and details about WYC Keelboats. It is given only by designated Chiefs by appointment and requires at least two hours. The practical test for a Keelboat Skipper rating includes basic maneuvers, man overboard recovery, reefing, changing headsails underway, anchoring, piloting, lockage, and demonstration of good judgment. The practical test is available by appointment from designated Chiefs and generally involves an overnight cruise on Puget Sound. The Club has copies of its own Keelboat instruction book available in the club office.

3.1.5.5 Boston Whaler

The Club's Boston Whaler power boats are for instructional, race committee, and rescue use. Because of the potential for injury from propellers and motorized equipment, Whaler ratings are given by designated Chiefs. In an emergency, unrated members may use Whalers for rescue, proved that they use great caution and that rated users and WAC staff are unavailable.

3.2 Boat Use Procedures

3.2.1 Sail Locker

 The Sail Locker is secured by a combination lock. All members should see that it is kept locked. Each quarter, the combination of the lock is changed. The new combination is sent to members on the Telltale address label. A member must have a rating before receiving the combination. Sails, battens, life jackets, paddles, and bailers are kept in the sail locker.

3.2.2 Check-Out Procedures

All boats must be signed out before use. For this purpose, a check-out sheet is used with space for entering the boat class, sail number, number of life jackets (one Coast Guard approved jacket per person), wind conditions, departure time, estimated return time, date, names of the Skipper and Crew, skipper's rating, and the destination. The destination, Skipper and crew names, and estimated time of return can then be determined in an emergency. Inside the sail locker is a clip for the check-out sheet for each boat. The check-out sheet must be filled out before any gear is taken, and signed by the person filling out the form. If a member does not have a rating for the boat, a Chief, Ratings Examiner, of Instructor must give permission to sail. For legal protection, the Affidavit and Release for Guests must be signed by each non-member in the crew and crew members without WYC cards. The signature must be witnessed by a club member and the member must also sign to that affect. When filled out, the sheet is clipped by the appropriate sail bin, together with the WYC membership cards of everyone sailing on that boat. Upon return, the time in must be logged on the form and the form filed.

3.2.3 Damage Reporting

If a boat is found to be damaged, notify the Fleet Captain by filling out the Repair Form (pink) and clipping it where the check-out sheet for that boat is posted. Since Fleet Captains do not have time to inspect the fleets for damage regularly, cooperation in this reporting will help keep the boats in good sailing condition, as well as warning other sailors of potential problems with a boat. If possible, fix the damage yourself. Filling out damage report forms greatly improves the general state of repair of the boats, conveniently alerts members to problems with specific boats, and improves their safe use.

3.2.4 Workshop

A complete shop area in the Waterfront Activities Center is available for use by the WYC. If the tools are locked, see the Ratings Examiner or any Chief or Fleet Captain for keys. These people can also assist you in finding parts and tools. After using the shop, make sure that the work area is clean.

3.2.5 Miscellaneous Rules

  1. Every boat must have one Coast Guard approved Type II or Type III life vest aboard for each person who is sailing. Do not sit or kneel on these vests. This shortens their lives considerably, and new vests must be purchased at great expense.
  2. All non-swimmers must wear Coast Guard approved life vests at all times.
  3. All persons under 18 years except University of Washington students must wear Coast Guard approved life vests at all times.
  4. Novices and Intermediates may sail only in Union Bay, with the exception of Keelboat Novices who may sail in normal Centerboard Skipper sailing waters. Centerboard Skippers may sail on all interconnecting waters east of the Aurora Avenue Bridge. Keelboat Skippers may sail on Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia as far north as Malcolm Island.
  5. When the "HAZARDOUS WEATHER" sign is posted, no Novice or Intermediate is permitted to sail, and Skipper sailing is permitted only on Union Bay and the lee side of the Evergreen Point Bridge with a whaler in operation near by. From November to May, wetsuits must be worn or a rescue barge must be operating nearby under "Hazardous Weather" conditions. If "NO NOVICE SAILING" signs are up, no Novices may sail without permission from a Chief or Ratings Examiner. If "SKIPPER ONLY SAILING" signs are posted, this also applies to Intermediates. Keelboats are exempt from these restrictions
  6. Centerboard boats may be sailed only during daylight hours. Boats must be in sight of the Waterfront Activities Center by sunset. All centerboard boats must be docked by dark.
  7. Yacht Club members wishing to go along as crew should be accommodated where room is available. Guests who are not members of the Club must sign the AFFIDAVIT AND RELEASE FOR GUESTS from before going out.
  8. Only soft-soled shoes should be worn on a boat. This avoids scuffing the boats.
  9. Ordinarily, the rescue boats may be used only under the direction of a Chief, Ratings Examiner of Instructor with a Whaler rating, but they may be used by anyone in case of an emergency, where WAC personnel or members with Whaler Ratings are unavailable. The keys are kept on clips in the sail locker above the chief's box.
  10. The sail locker may be left unlocked only when a member in the vicinity will take responsibility. If you have any doubt that someone will take responsibility, leave the sail locker locked.
  11. Gas must be kept in the gas shed (the small building just north of the shop). The keys for the gas shed are with the Whaler keys. Paint thinner and other flammables used in the shop are stowed in the flammable storage room in the WAC. All persons using the shop must be familiar with WAC safety regulations and follow them carefully.