RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Dinghy Youth Scheme Stage 3

Course overview

A development course designed to sharpen basic skills and improve competency and enjoyment on the water before heading onto Dinghy Advanced and Explorer programmes.

Course Syllabus

Rigging, launching and recovery

• Can rig, launch and recover in an onshore wind
• Can reef a dinghy ashore according to weather conditions
• Can store a dinghy ashore

Ropework

• Can tie a bowline, clove hitch and rolling hitch

Sailing techniques and manoeuvres

• The five essentials - sail setting, balance, trim, course made good and centreboard
• Sailing on all points of sail on a triangular course
• Tacking upwind
• Gibing from a training run
• Righting a small capsized dinghy
• Coming alongside a moored boat
• Prepare for/take up tow from power craft
• Picking up a mooring

Racing

• Understand the course and starting procedures

Manoeuvres

• Understand how to recover a man overboard
• Understand the points of sailing

General

• Understand how a sail works - basic aerodynamics
• Know the basic terminology for use afloat
• Understand the importance of clear communication aboard
• Understand lee shore dangers and sailing in close company with other water users
• Understand advice to inland sailors for coastal sailing
• Know the importance of personal safety and telling someone ashore
• Understand the dangers of hypothermia and the importance of first aid training

Rules of the road

• Know the basic rules of the road - Port/Starboard, winward boat and overtaking boat

Meteorology

• Know how to obtain a weather forecast
• Understand Beaufort Wind Scale
• Know when to reef

Clothing and equipment

• Personal safety equipment
• Boat buoyancy
• Basic safety equipment e.g. anchor, paddle, bailer