Boats and Moorings

1. Do I need to purchase my own sailboat?
   You will need to arrange for a boat for your child to use in sailing lessons.  With the exception of 420s which are used in Racing Tactics, boats at the WBC are privately owned.  The options for arranging a boat for your child are:  borrow a boat, find a partner who’s willing to share their boat (beginners only), or purchase a boat.  
   
   WBC has a long tradition of members lending and borrowing boats for the junior sailing program. With some thoughtfulness and consideration, this continues to be successful.
   
   Guidelines to Borrowing a Boat:
   
   Find a Boat. Talk to your friends (most members find boats through the grapevine), look in or post a notice in the WBC Online Swap Shop, look in the BUY/SWAP BOAT section of the WBC Newsletter, look on the bulletin board at WBC for available boats, or post a notice on the bulletin board/newsletter.
   
   Please have a boat and partner arranged for your child by the Wednesday before school ends.  The registration form for sailing will require this information.  You will be asked to include boat owner's name, boat #, mooring #,  and the name of your child’s partner.  It is imperative that the sailing instructors have this information to ensure smooth sailing on the first day of classes.
   
   Coordinate with the lender. Adults need to take care of this step.  Often a boat is borrowed by more than one party (i.e. a beginner sailor and an intermediate sailor borrowing the boat for different classes.)  It is important to understand who will be using the boat at what time and for what class.  Make sure to get the lender’s locker combination and mooring number for access to sails, rudders, etc.  Exchange phone numbers to communicate during the summer about schedules, vacations, and general information. 
   
   Offer to help maintain the boat. Offer to help get the boat ready for the season or clean the bottom of the boat -- a weekly cleaning is ideal.  The key is to be responsible for the boat you are using and to respect how the owner prefers to have the boat de-rigged, moored, and maintained throughout the season.  Bailing an N-10 after a big rain storm is always appreciated!  Make sure that your child puts the boat away properly at the end of the day.  Boats left at the dock may be subject to fines.  These fines will be charged to the boat owner and could put you, the borrower, in an uncomfortable situation!  Be aware that there are mooring/locker fees and N-10 association dues for every boat. 
   
   Be prepared to pay for damage. Occasionally, boats get damaged in sailing class or a regatta. Make sure you and the lender have an understanding about who pays for the damage.
   
   
2. My child can not find a partner. Can he/she sail with two other friends?
   N-10s are designed for two sailors; they are the safest and the most comfortable with two sailors. Occasionally, we will put three in a boat only a temporary basis. In addition to the safety issues and the capacity for instructors to maintain the attention of three sailors in a boat, the sailors will not get enough hands on time with the tiller or the mainsail, and they will be behind the rest of the class.
    
3. Our family owns a Sunfish. Can my child use this boat in the sailing lessons instead of us buying/borrowing an N-10?
   No, we only use Optis and N-10s in our Beginner and Intermediate classes. We need to have some consistency in the class of boats for instruction and racing.
    
4. Can we leave boats at the dock?
   The WBC docks are used for rigging and de-rigging only. For safety reasons and as a courtesy to other sailors, no, boats cannot be left at the dock overnight. There is an automatic $25 fee for any boat left at the dock when the Club closes.
    
5. If I do not have access to a boat can my child still participate in the sailing program?
   Yes, but you will need to coordinate either borrowing a boat or ensuring that your child has a partner (for the beginner class).

Sailing Classes

1. Where do I get a life jacket for my child? Is there a certain type I should get?
   Life vests or PFDs (personal floatation devices) can be purchased at West Marine (Woburn) or any other boating supply store. Sometimes they are sold at sporting goods stores. They need to be certified for dinghy sailing (Type III); PFDs for water skiing are not adequate. Take your sailor when you purchase the vest to ensure the proper fit. If they are too large, they will not work and they will be uncomfortable. Finally, make sure your child likes the color, fit, and style because they must wear them at all times on the docks and in any boat. A whistle must be attached to the child's PFD. There are no exceptions.
    
2. What kind of shoes should my child wear? Should he wear regular sneakers or those beach-style water shoes?
   Sneakers are fine, even old smelly ones. The shoes should have rubber soles to avoid slippage; water shoes are also fine.
    
3. How do I know if my child is ready to move up to Intermediate sailing from beginners? Is there a test that he must pass? Does he/she have to go through two years of beginner class?
   For the Intermediate class, we expect that the sailor can steer the boat by themselves, maneuver around marks, and rig (and unrig) the boat. After two years of sailing, most beginners gain the confidence and knowledge to perform these skills easily.
   
   Typically each sailor goes through First and Second years of Beginner sailing.  But if there are sailors who are interested in moving on to Intermediates early, the instructors may administer an on-the-lake test to ensure that the child is proficient in the skills needed at the Intermediate level. Contact the Head Sailing Instructor for more information.
    
4. How many sailing instructors are there?
   There are five full-time and two part-time sailing instructors. There are also a small number of students in our highest level sailing class (Tactics) who help out with the Beginner I and Beginner II classes.
    
5. What qualifications does the club require of sailing instructors?
   Full-time sailing instructors need to have graduated from High School and are typically at least eighteen years old. They are required to take the US Sailing Small Boat Level I instructor course and to have taken a course in CPR.
    
6. What other equipment will be needed?
   We recommend all juniors wear a hat, sunglasses, and have suntan lotion every day. For their boats, they should have a paddle, bailer, and sponge. Students should also bring a bottle of water when they sail.
    
7. What is Tactics?
   Tactics is our most advanced level of the sailing program. Typically, children will have completed three or four years of sailing in Beginner and Intermediate classes, understand points of sail, and be comfortable with basic racing technique. In this class, the sailors race every day and prepare for regattas both on and off the lake. They will sail 420s and lasers and even N-10s in this class. If your child DOES enjoy the racing aspects of sailing, this is the class for them.
    
8. Are there classes for adults?
   Yes, adult classes are offered Wednesday mornings from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Regattas

1. What is a regatta and when is it appropriate for my child to participate in one?
   A regatta is a competition during which sailors are scored on series of sailboat races. To ensure the best wind conditions, regattas are usually held over a period of one or two days. Typically, at least three races need to be completed to have an official regatta, but there are often more than six races.  There are club regattas held on the Mystic Lake and we also travel to other clubs to participate in regattas.
   
   Some of the first and second year beginner sailors start by serving as the crew on an N-10 for these regattas. Participating in some of WBC club regattas such as the Swanson Cup, Raphael Cup, Opti Cup, and the Dillon Cup is a great way to start.
    
2. I would like to take my child to a regatta, but I have never been to one! How will we transport their boat? Will instructors be there? Can there be a New Parent orientation session for this? Which off-lake regatta is the best for first-timers?
   If your child is interested in participating in a regatta, we encourage you to help make that happen - it's a great learning experience and a great time. Parents are however responsible for getting the boats to the regattas but the sailing staff and club officials will help you prepare your boat to take it off-lake. In addition, there are many veteran regatta parents at the Club who are always willing to give advice and counsel to first time regatta-goers.
   
   There are a number of regattas for which we send two instructors and a motor boat to help our junior sailors. At the beginning of the season there is a mandatory meeting for all parents whose children will attend off-lake regattas. Many of your questions can be answered at that time. Ask one of the instructors which regattas would be the best for your sailor; most of the regattas cater to all levels of sailors, but there are a few just for the more advanced. WBC will be hosting the New England Open this year which is an inter-club regatta for N-10 sailors. This would be an excellent regatta for any WBC sailor to participate.
    
3. During the times for off-lake regattas, are classes still held on the lake for those children who opt not to go?
   Yes, classes will continue to be held and sailing proficiency will be stressed during class with the hopes that someday interest may develop to participate in an inter-club regatta.

Rules and Regulations

1. What are the rules and regulations involved in sailing at the Club?
   WBC has very clear rules and regulations regarding sailing, particularly for junior sailors, and the storage of boats. Some of these rules and regulations are included in this document, but please review the WBC Handbook for 2007 for a complete listing of all rules and regulations. Safety and the comfort of all members are top priorities for the Club.
    
2. How are discipline issues handled by the Sailing Staff?
   All participants in the sailing program are expected to follow all the Rules and Regulations outlined in the WBC Handbook. In addition, all sailing program participants are expected to follow the directions of Sailing Instructors and all members of the WBC staff. To the extent possible, Sailing Instructors/Staff will address violations of the Club Rules and Regulations (or of the policies set forth by Instructors or Staff) directly with the student. In cases of consistent infractions, or infractions that jeopardize the safety of the individual or others, Instructors may need to remove the individual from the class. Students that have to be removed from class will be sent to the club office and the Manager on duty will notify parents. If behavior consistently hinders the ability of Instructors to teach and ensure the safety of the class, parents will be notified and the student may have to be removed permanently from the Program.