WYC Ratings System

Introduction

A club member must attain the appropriate ratings before using a club boat. Each fleet of boat has its own set of ratings. Ratings from one fleet do not transfer to another class of boat. Novice, intermediate, and skipper levels ratings allow members to sail in progressively more wind as well as farther from the club. There are also a number of written tests that are required to earn ratings.

The minimum ratings for each boat is listed in the boats page. Additional information can be found in the Daysailor Handbook or the club By-Laws.

How To Get a Rating

To receive a rating, a member must pass appropriate written tests as well as sailing skills tests.

Written tests can be taken in the club office during regular office hours, or at the WAC during ratings examiner hours. Any chief can also administer a written test when they are at the WAC, or by appointment. Weekly novice instructors will usually administer the novice written test as a part of their class.

Sailing skills tests are administered by an instructor as a part of a lesson, or at the WAC during ratings examiner hours. WYC chiefs can also administer skills tests when they are at the WAC, or by appointment.

Common Ratings Requirements

Here are the specific requirements to earn the more popular ratings at WYC.

Note that most ratings above novice are awarded by a chief when the wind conditions are of appropriate strength.

Novice Single-Handed:

To get a novice single-handed rating you must complete the novice written test and a practical test on the water. During the practical test you will be asked to

rig the boat correctly from memory - you will be rigging a laser, so don't forget the cunningham
demonstrate proper boat checkout procedures
demonstrate good boat handling - usually 4 tacks in a row and then 4 jibes
demonstrate a man-overboard drill - this involves recovering a PFD using the proper technique described in the DaySailor handbook, (approach the man-overboard on your windward side sailing upwind and stop when you get there)
demonstrate proper docking
demonstrate a wet capsize - yes you will get wet! You must capsize the boat and get in the water and then right in the proper manner. This can often be done near the dock.
correctly de-rig the boat

Intermediate Single-handed:

This practical is the same as the novice but must be done in about 10 knots of steady wind. In this wind you must demonstrate excellent boat handling skills. This will usually involve sailing around a small course, demonstrating skilled tacks and jibes and demonstrating good sail trim and hiking. In addition the wet capsize will not be performed near the dock so be prepared and dress accordingly! You will probably be sailing wet for at least 10 minutes.

Skipper Single-handed:

To obtain a skipper rating you must first pass the skipper written test. It's best to take this test at the office, but it may be taken at the WAC during ratings examiner hours or with a chief.

The skipper practical test contains all the requirements of the novice practical test with a few additions. The skipper test must be performed in over 15 knots of steady wind. In this wind you must demonstrate excellent boat handling skills. You will likely be asked to sail around a course, do fast and skilled tacks and jibes, stop the boat, do a man overboard and other skill demonstrations. In addition you will need to completely turtle the boat and then recover. The skipper test is usually done at Webster Point or on Lake Washington. This means you will probably be sailing for at least a half an hour wet. Please be prepared physically and mentally and dress appropriately.

Double-handed Ratings

Double handed ratings have the same requirements as single-handed but are performed on a FJ or Laser II with crew. The crew need not be a member or getting a rating, but must have sufficient sailing skill. You the skipper will drive the boat and perform maneuvers. The most important part of double-handed sailing is good communication, so you will be asked to say commands loud enough for the examiner to hear them. A wet capsize will be required and the skipper will right the boat while the crew rolls into the cockpit. Be sure to tell your crew they will be getting wet and need a change of clothes!