Toggle Side Panel
Close search
Back to Course

Bronze Sailor

0% Complete
0/0 Steps

  1. 1. Parts of a Boat/Rigging

    Video: Boat Parts/Rigging
    1 Assessment
  2. Main Parts of the Boat
  3. Sailing Vocabulary
  4. Lines & Controls
  5. Student Rigging Steps
  6. Final Review
  7. PPL # 2 - Wind/Tacking
    Learning Objectives
  8. Understanding the Wind
  9. No Go Zone
  10. What is Tacking
  11. Steps to Tack
  12. Common Mistakes
  13. Video
    1 Assessment
  14. PPL # 3 - Practical Steering
    Learning Objective
  15. How the Boat Turns
  16. The Steering Rule
  17. Steering While Looking Forward
  18. Steering and Sail Trim
  19. Steering a Straight Line
  20. Video
    1 Assessment
  21. PPL # 4 - Tacking/Gybing
    Learning Objective
  22. Why We Change Direction
  23. Introducing the Tack
  24. Introducing the Gybe
  25. Tack vs Gybe
  26. Video
    1 Assessment
  27. PPL # 5 - Holding a Heading
    Learning Objective
  28. Reinforcing Steering
  29. Steering Relative to the Wind
  30. Using Telltales, Airflow, Lift and the Bubble Check
  31. Steering Downwind
  32. What Good Steering Looks Like
  33. Video
    1 Assessment
  34. PPL # 6 - Stopping and Starting your boat
    Learning Objective
  35. Leaving the Dock
  36. Starting From Head To Wind
  37. Stopping the Boat
  38. Safety Position
  39. Heave To
  40. Video
    1 Assessment
  41. PPL # 7 - Upwind/Downwind Course
    Learning Objective
  42. Review: Wind is the Engine
  43. The Wind Circle
  44. Upwind Sailing
  45. Downwind Sailing
  46. Upwind vs Downwind
  47. Video
    1 Assessment
  48. PPL # 8 - Proper angle of Heel
    Learning Objective
  49. What is Heel
  50. What Causes Heel
  51. Why Heel Matters
  52. Review From Previous Lessons
  53. How to Control Heel
  54. What Proper Heel Feels Like
  55. Communication Between Skipper and Crew
  56. Capsize Awareness
  57. Video
    1 Assessment
  58. PPL # 9 - Basic Rules and Right of Way
    Learning Objective
  59. Why Do We Need Rules
  60. Reminder What Tack Are We On
  61. Rule 1: Port and Starboard
  62. Crossing Situation
  63. Same Tack Situation
  64. Overtaking Rule
  65. The Most Important Rule of All
  66. Communication Between Skipper and Crew
  67. How This Connects to Heel and Control
  68. Video
    1 Assessment
  69. PPL # 10 - Mid Point Review and on Water Testing
    Learning Objective
  70. The Boat and It's Parts
  71. Wind Awareness
  72. Steering Skills
  73. Lift and Sail Shape
  74. Upwind and Downwind
  75. Heel and Balance
  76. Tacking
  77. Gybing
  78. Right of Way
  79. Safety and control Positions
  80. Video
    1 Assessment
  81. PPL # 11 - Proper Trim and Weight Placement as a Crew
    Learning Objective
  82. The Crew is Not Just a Passenger
  83. Weight Placement Upwind
  84. Weight Placement Downwind
  85. Jib Trim as a Crew
  86. Examples of Clear Crew Communication and Awareness
  87. Common Crew Mistakes
  88. Video
    1 Assessment
  89. PPL # 12 - Handling Heavy Winds and Weather
    Learning Objective
  90. Recognizing Build Wind Pressure
  91. Managing Power in Heavy Wind
  92. Preventing and Recovering From a Round up
  93. Gust Management
  94. Heavy Wind Tacks
  95. Heavy Wind Gybes
  96. Capsize Awareness
  97. Heavy Weather Safety
  98. Video
    1 Assessment
  99. PPL # 13 - Advanced Sail Trim
    Learning Objective
  100. Review: What Makes the Boat Go
  101. Know your sail: Edges and Corners
  102. Power vs Control
  103. Controlling Sail Depth
  104. Trimming the Jib For Balance
  105. Trim in Light Air
  106. Trim in Heavy Wind
  107. Sailing in the Groove
  108. How Sail Trim Prevents Capsize
  109. Video
    1 Assessment
  110. PPL # 14 - Introduction to Racing
    Learning Objective
  111. What is Sailboat Racing
  112. The Race Course
  113. The Start
  114. Sailing Near Other Boats
  115. Right of Way Still Applies
  116. Rounding the Mark
  117. Sailing Towards the Finish
  118. Video
    1 Assessment
  119. PPL # 15 - Starts
    Learning Objective
  120. What is a Start
  121. The Starting Sequence
  122. Positioning Before the Start
  123. Accelerating at the Start
  124. Space and Right of Way at the Start
  125. After the Start
  126. Video
    1 Assessment
  127. PPL # 16 - Putting it all Together in a Race
    Learning Objective
  128. Before the Start: Preparation
  129. The Starting Sequence Review
  130. Upwind Leg: Sailing in the Groove
  131. Right of Way While Racing
  132. Mark Rounding
  133. Downwind Leg: Control and Balance
  134. Communication Wins Races
  135. Finishing the Race
  136. Safety Still Comes First
  137. Course Completion
  138. Video
    1 Assessment
  1. Bronze Sailor
  2. The Crew is Not Just a Passenger
Lesson 82 of 138
In Progress

The Crew is Not Just a Passenger

Eric Ellison (snr)
Eric Ellison (snr) March 5, 2026

On a 420, the crew is not just along for the ride.

The crew is:

• The forward trimmer
• The balance controller
• The extra set of eyes
• The first to move weight

The crew also:

• Adjusts sail controls
• Raises and lowers the centerboard as needed
• Bails water when necessary
• Makes tactical suggestions to the skipper

The centerboard does more than help the boat go upwind.
It also provides stability. When partially raised, the boat may feel loose or unstable. Lowering it increases control and steadiness.

The skipper steers.
The crew makes the boat fast.

Remember from previous lessons:

HEEL
The amount the boat leans to one side.

Our goal is usually 10 to 15 degrees of heel.
More than that becomes unstable and harder to steer.

If the boat is leaning too much, speed is lost and control becomes difficult.

Balance is speed.

Report

Harassment or bullying behavior
Contains mature or sensitive content
Contains misleading or false information
Contains abusive or derogatory content
Contains spam, fake content or potential malware

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

  • See blocked member's posts
  • Mention this member in posts
  • Invite this member to groups
  • Message this member
  • Add this member as a connection

Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Report

You have already reported this .