Ottawa Sailing School
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ADVANTAGE BOATING SAIL SHARE HANDBOOK 2013 Edition AB Office 613-721-8683 www.advantageboating.com [email protected] Advantage Boating’s Sail Share Handbook Table of Contents OVERVIEW SEAMANSHIP Syndicate Mission Statement 3 Sail Selection 9 Background 3 Outhaul 9 The Handbook 3 Foul Weather Gear 9 Club Facilities 3 Deck Shoes 9 Nepean Sailing Club Membership 3 Unfamiliar Territory 9 How to Find Out What’s Happening 4 Maintaining a Lookout 9 Organization of the program 4 The Engine 9 Advantage Boating Staff 4 Halyard Tension 10 Suggestions for improvement 4 Docking and Anchoring 10 Personal Log 11 PROGRAM RULES Stowing Sails 11 Safety 4 Reporting Incidents 4 RACING Damage Deposit 5 Interclub Race Program 11 Insurance 5 How it Works 11 Conduct 5 Racing Rules 12 Waiver & Safety Forms 5 Racing Tips 12 Crew Qualifications 5 Seamanship 13 Skipper Qualifications 6 Our Syndicate Motto 13 Boat Orientations and Checkouts 6 Racing reference material 14 Reserving the Boats 6 Where to find great sailing/racing material 14 The Weekend Schedule 6 Extending Your Time 6 All Day Bookings 7 Overnight Bookings 7 Booking & Cancellations 7 Special Events 7 Number of Sailors 7 Returning on Time 7 Spinnakers 7 Guests 8 Check List/Sail Plan 8 Prior to Sailing 8 After Sailing 8 3 OVERVIEW Program Mission Statement Advantage Boating’s (AB) Sail Share encourages sailors at all levels of experience to enjoy the pleasures of sailing and to develop excellent seamanship skills by providing a wide variety of sailing opportunities in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere. Background The Sail Share is an off-shoot of AB’s sailing courses, is aimed at graduates of the Basic Cruising course, or others, with equivalent experience who want to pursue their growing interest in sailing without the commitments of boat ownership. Your enrolment in the Sail Share enables you to sail as often as you like, depending on your membership level, from early May to late October. Guests are welcome, on a limited basis. You are encouraged to participate in as many Sail Share events as you like. Check with the AB office and emails for details. The Sail Share’s outstanding safety standards ensure that your safety is first and foremost. Our current repertoire of events includes clinics, evening races and day long outings. Choose the activities that appeal to you and customize your own sailing program. Those who want to improve their sailing skills will have ample opportunity to do so, while others may just want to enjoy tranquil sails on those lazy summer days. One of the best values of this Sail Share is the degree to which we can all learn from one another – whether it is about the finer points of sail trim, basic boat maintenance, or how to prepare for an extended cruise, you’ll find that all members and staff are eager to share their knowledge and experiences. The Handbook This handbook has been developed with the assistance of Sail Share members to provide a clear description of the program’s structure and to promote safe, fun sailing. As a member, you are expected to read this handbook and to agree to abide by the policies by signing your acknowledgment and waiver prior to sailing. Club Facilities The Sail Share boats are berthed at the Nepean Sailing Club (NSC) and Britannia Yacht Club (BYC), and are sailed on the waters known as Lac Deschênes. The Sail Share’s hours of operations are 9 am to sunset, seven days a week. The Sail Share’s fleet includes: At NSC: Four 24-foot Sharks, which are spinnaker equipped. One 22-foot Tanzer, which is spinnaker equipped. One 27-foot C&C (big boat program) At BYC: Two 24-foot Sharks, which are spinnaker equipped Two 22-foot Tanzers, which are spinnaker equipped 4 All boats carry Canadian Coast Guard safety gear as required in the “Small Vessel Regulations”. Nepean Sailing Club Membership Our host, the Nepean Sailing Club (NSC), has activities for everyone year round. There is club racing, cruising, and lots of great social events. The list of social events include: Commodore’s Sailpast, “THRASH” Party, Baskin’s Cornboil, BBQ after racing, Friday Dinners (Jan. to April), Awards Night and the Members Lounge. Adult or Family membership is required for Sail Share participation. If you join the Sail Share in the same year that you took your Basic Cruising, the cost of a Crewing membership will be subtracted from your Adult membership. As well, initiation fees will be waived while you are in the Sail Share. Britannia Yacht Club Membership Our host, the Britannia Yacht Club (BYC), has activities for everyone year round. There is club racing, cruising, tennis, and lots of great social events. The list of social events include: Commodore’s Ball, New Members Night, BBQs, movie nights, the Breakfast Club, Awards Night and there is always the Dragon Lounge. An Associate membership is required for Sail Share participation. If you join the Sail Share in the same year that you took your Basic Cruising, the cost of an Associate membership will be waived. Club Events The way to stay on top of the happenings at your host club is through the web sites www.nsc.ca and www.byc.ca and the weekly club emails (talk to the club office staff about being included on those emails). While down at the clubs make sure to check out the notices that are posted on the bulletin boards and the club newsletters. The Telltale and Full & By. Organization of the Sail Share Advantage Boating is responsible for decisions concerning the direction, management and finances of the Sail Share. Although members do not have any voting privileges, and are not involved in the management of the Sail Share, the Sail Share is member driven. Through member input and participation members are given maximum opportunity to influence the activities of the Sail Share. Advantage Boating Staff Ron Schute, President, is responsible for the overall direction of the school and Sail Share. Geoff Lanning, Director, is responsible for Sail Share operation, boat and maintenance scheduling. She is also the Sail Share race coach. Suggestions for improvement You are encouraged to discuss with us your ideas about how the Sail Share could better serve its members. The best way is to call the AB office or send an email. If you have a complaint of a serious nature involving the conduct of another Sail Share or staff member, you are encouraged to talk to the AB Director or a member of the NSC/BYC board of 5 directors. SAIL SHARE RULES These rules are intended to ensure the safety of our sailors and proper use of equipment and to create a cooperative atmosphere. Safety A Transport Canada-approved lifejacket or PFD must be worn at all times on the docks and on the boats. No alcohol is allowed on the boats. Smoking is not permitted on the boats (cockpit or cabin) or on the docks. No pets on board please. Reporting Incidents The following incidents must be reported in writing to AB and signed by each member involved, at the first opportunity. In the event of outside party involvement, Sail Share members are not to admit any liability or speak on behalf of NSC, BYC or Advantage Boating: Collision of a Sail Share boat; Personal injury where professional medical aid was required; Police or Search and Rescue was called; or Damage or loss of Sail Share property. The report should contain the date, time and location of the incident, the names of members who were present; the names and phone numbers of other individuals involved and a description of what happened. Forms are available in the back of the “boat kit” binder. Damage Deposit A $1000 boat damage deposit is required from each member at the beginning of the season (held through a valid credit card). In the event of wilful damage or negligence to any of the boats, each member on board will share the cost of the damage incurred. Members are responsible for winch handles that have been lost overboard. A Sail Share member who engages in reckless or wilful misconduct is liable for full damages to Sail Share property and any second or third party damages. Insurance The commercial policy covering property damage for the Sail Share program boats carries a $1,000.00 deductible. In the event of serious damage, the operator (Skipper) at fault is liable for up to $1,000.00 in damages. NB: Please remember to keep a proper lookout “by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances”. (Collision Regulations, Rule 5) Many accidents occur because people aren’t paying attention. Conduct A member who behaves in a reckless, dangerous or illegal manner risks expulsion from the Sail Share. The decision of the AB President is final. 6 Waivers & Safety Forms Every member or guest is required to complete a medical safety form and waiver at the beginning of the season or outing. These are then filed with the AB office and kept on record. Full-time members only need to file one form per season and it is to be completed upon registration. If there is a medical condition, which may prevent the individual from participating safely, AB staff and the skipper must be notified prior to sailing. If any of the information changes during the season please fill out a new form and file it with the AB office. Medical information will remain confidential. Crew Qualifications To be a qualified crew member (“C” on the membership roster) you must: Have completed or be working on attaining the CYA Basic Crew Standard or equivalent; Be able to perform emergency Crew Overboard procedures and; Have completed a boat orientation.