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Badger A/B Instruction Outline

Prelude

Badger are a big departure from the Techs for many students in that the Skipper needs to supervise and direct the actions of a crew. To get a Badger Sloop Skipper rating it is imperative that the student demonstrates clear Skipper/Crew communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills. The instructor facilitates the learning experience by providing sailing theory as well as constructive, timely feedback during the lesson.

Stewardship

Instructors and students need to take good care of the Badger Sloops. Hoofer’s calls this ‘Stewardship’. Hoofer instructors are the exemplars and will demonstrate proper care of the Badger Sloop at all times. If instructors don’t do it – neither will the students and our fleet will be trashed for no good reason. If an instructor observes non-stewardship they need to intervene immediately.

Instructional Strategies

A Badger Sloop A/B Class may have first time students or those that are on their 5th or 6th lesson. Repeat students have ‘heard it all before’ and may mentally check-out. Don’t let that happen. These students are trying to get their Skipper rating and should, by now, have read the Badger Sloop Manual and have a solid command of sailing theory. During the Sloop Theory section one can involve them by having them explain to the class (their crew) how to do a Man Overboard drill, back winding the jib when leaving the pier, etc. This is good practice for them to demonstrate communication skills and also lets the Hoofer’s Sailing Instructor observe and critique student skills.

I. Introductions - instructor and student sailing experience

1. Boats sailed 2. # of Badger Sloop A/B lessons taken 3. Prior instructor feedback on what needs work

II. Sloop Theory (Chalk Talk)

I like to move through this rather quickly and then reference during on-water activities.

1. Similarities/Differences between Cat-Rigged and Sloop 2. Center(s) of Effort and Center of Lateral Resistance

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3. Lee Helm and 4. Jib to back wind (hold jib towards shore) i. Always do this to maintain safe take-off ii. Back winding is a great example of Lee helm! 5. Coming About – Skipper/Crew Responsibilities 6. Jibing – Skipper /Crew Responsibilities 7. Man Overboard Drill – Figure Eight Approach

III. Rigging The Badger Sloop

Have students on their 3rd or more lesson lead the rigging and explain to other students what and why they are doing with the rigging. Instructor should see if class can ‘think through’ any issues and then offer feedback on what went well or raise questions about how they might rig in other conditions.

1. Sign-out the Badger Sloop using the Hull # 2. Get Jib and Main from area 3. Plug, Main Sail, Jib 4. Adjust Outhaul, Vang, Jib Cars for the wind speed i. Jib Cars towards mast for light wind/out for heavy ii. Outhaul tight for light or heavy winds! iii. Always secure Jib with life jacket so as to not trash the Jib iv. In heavier wind, secure mainsail using mainsheet to protect sail v. Check halyards and sheets to make sure they are clear and not wrapped around mast or twisted wrong way. 5. Extras for the boat – do this now so you don’t forget i. Throwable ii. Two Paddles iii. Return the Main and Jib Sail cover bags to the sail area

IV. Securing the Badger Sloop to the Trolley.

1. Check Trolley first for proper rail alignment – rear rail critical! 2. With student on side of front and rear bunks, roll quickly with Eric Cartman-esque ‘Author-i-tai!’ 3. Use knots on either side that will not slip! (1/2 hitches or some variation)

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V. Getting the Sloop in to the Water

1. Safety and Stewardship – have at least one student use a paddle to fend-off the boat prior to launching! Feet and toes get crushed when waves lift hull up and down. Paddles save boats and student limbs. And that’s a good thing. 2. Hand Signals – Up/Down/Hold 3. Lower Sloop until front bunk of cart is half submerged 4. Students move boat along pier using paddle(s) to fend-off. 5. Move to the farthest point-out on the leeward side of pier. Use paddles again to help get from one side of the pier to the other.

VI. Rigging at the Pier

1. Raise the Mainsail 2. Adjust Vang and Outhaul for conditions. 3. Get most of the class into the Badger Sloop 4. Raise the Jib 5. Carefully – Lower the Centerboard. Do not let it slam down as this will damage the sloop! 6. All Crew Aboard

VII. Leaving the Pier

1. Designated Skipper is at helm and tells crew what they are going to do and what heading they will be taking-out onto the lake. 2. Skipper assigns crewmate to backwind the jib (towards shore!) 3. Instructor casts-off and steps onto Sloop Bow Deck and provides feedback during the take-off maneuver. 4. Jib is Backwinded 5. Sloops successfully out of Mooring Field

VIII. Upwind Sailing

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During this activity rotate students so they each have a turn doing 4-5 tacks (coming about) and offer feedback. It’s also a good time to elaborate on the Chalk Talk and discuss the role of the jib and crew responsibilities.

1. Tacks should be clean and smooth – not jerky like in a tech 2. Tiller Extension used at all times 3. Ready About/Ready/Hard-a-lee or Helms-a-lee commands 4. Continue discussion from Chalk Talk about the Center(s) of Effort and Center of Lateral Resistance. 5. Ask class what can be done to increase/decrease Lee and Weather Helm. Why might they do that? What’s the big deal and why does it matter? 6. Optimizing the Jib and Main: What do telltales tells us?

IX. Man Overboard Drill

Students are rotated through the skipper position and attempt 4 to 5 Man Overboard ‘Rescues’ of the Throwable. The figure eight maneuver is the textbook example we teach, but should they always use this approach? Engage the class in a discussion about this and have them think through as a group what is the safest and quickest way to retrieve the Throwable.

1. Instructor chucks Throwable and yells ‘Man Overboard!’ 2. Skipper assigns a spotter 3. Spotter yells-out Throwable position and # of boat lengths using the Bow as 12 O’clock. 4. Skipper executes come about after 3-6 boat lengths 5. Skipper commands crew to release or blow the jib 6. Skipper sails in Irons towards Throwable, keeping tiller amidships the whole time.

Note: Skipper needs to make sure that they mainsail is completely depowered. Check mainsail aft of sidestays to see if it is catching wind.

7. Badger Sloops comes to a halt downwind (leeward) of the Throwable. 8. Crew retrieves Throwable using both hands as though they were lifting the tops of a lifejacket.

X. Downwind Sailing

Uncontrolled or accidental jibes are dangerous to the crew and the boats. During this activity the instructor should demonstrate a controlled and then have each student do 4 to

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controlled jibes. Students should have reviewed this in the Badger Sloop Manual. If they haven’t, ask ‘Why not?’

1. Skipper clearly communicates ‘Prepare to Jibe’, waits to hear ‘Ready’ and yells ‘Jibe-Ho!’ 2. Jibe should be smooth and non-violent.

Note: Sail should never swing all the way into the opposite sidestay. This will damage the sail and the boat.

3. Time and weather permitting, demonstrate Wing-on-Wing with Jib and Main.

XI. Pier Landings & Take-offs

Landings should be done like a pro! Sculling or crashing hard into the pier is unacceptable. If a boat pulls-up short or is coming in to fast, student should sail away and attempt another landing. For this reason we teach a close-hauled landing so that the boat is always powered-up until the skipper commits to the final in irons landing. Like the other activities, rotate students so that they get multiple opportunities to practice landings – and takeoffs!

XII. De-rigging at the Pier.

1. Centerboard is slowly raised all the way up and cleated-off. If the centerboard is not all the way up it will strike the decking when putting away. 2. Jib is lowered and secured with a lifejacket 3. Mainsail lowered with inside of boat 4. Boom, sail and all lines are inside of boat.

Note: Mainsail can be secured with mainsheet to prevent it from falling in water.

XIII. Preparing the Trolley

1. Badger Sloop cradle is placed ‘deep V’ away from the lake on the trolley. 2. Tie the cart down on the side closest to the pier first. Half-hitches 3. Tie the cart down on the other side. 4. Lower the cart into the water until the front bunk is half submerged

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XIV. Getting the Sloop onto the Cart and back on Shore.

Stewardship! If Sloop is not properly positioned on cradle or the cart is not secured to trolley damage to the Sloop will occur.

1. Student Holds Painter while other fends-off with paddle. 2. Slide Badger Sloop until the mast is just slightly behind the front bunk. 3. Using Up hand signal, winch operator raises boat slightly. 4. Crew checks to make sure that the aft of the Sloop is resting correctly between the back bumpers and not on top! If not, lower boat and correct. 5. Raise boat until rear rail of trolley is aligned with deck rail. 6. Untie and have students pushing over front and rear bunks to evenly distribute force. 7. Heave!

XV. Finish De-rigging on Land.

1. Sails are folded on a wooden deck according to diagram/pictures on sail storage room door. Last fold on the mainsail is unnecessary unless you can’t find a main sail storage bag.

Note: Wet sails need to be hung in the Tower or Shop areas to dry prior to folding.

2. Mainsheet, Jib sheets, Halyards, and all lines are put away cleanly. 3. Painter tied to next Badger Sloop with Taut-line (Half-hitches) knot. 4. Instructor reviews de-rigged boat and asks class if it looks ‘OK’. Make them think!

XVI. Discuss Next Steps with Class.

1. What worked well? 2. Ask individuals where they think they are in terms of their development. 3. Provide feedback to all students. 4. Rate or send them back for another BS A/B. 5. Be sure to remind students to: i. Read the Badger Sloop Manual ii. And encourage them that sailing is a skill which takes effort and practice to become a Badger Sloop Skipper.

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Brian A. Adams June 3, 2010