Rules

You must pass the written test before you can check out on any boat or sail alone.

You must be checked out by a member with a rank at least one higher than the boat on which you are checking out. For example, a person checked out on an Advanced Crew boat can check you out on a Crew boat (Sunfish).

To check out on a Sunfish or Laser, the wind must be strong enough to fully hike out. For other boats it must be the strongest wind that might normally be encountered on Lake Travis. This is generally 15 knots, or white capping.

A Seaman III check out requires two Seaman III’s checked out on that boat or one Skipper. Each Seaman III boat requires a separate check out.

Procedures

You must perform the following maneuvers: Properly rig and put away the boat. Two tacks and two jibes. Recovery from a full capsize (fully inverted, turtled). The capsize test is not done on keel boats and certain centerboard boats. Man overboard rescue. This is the most difficult maneuver for most people. It’s a good idea to practice this one several times before trying to check out.

Ranks

Ranks and corresponding boat class:

Additional Information

You must start at the lowest rank and move up sequentially; you cannot skip ranks.

After being checked out, email the Secretary and tell him/her the rank on which you were checked out, who checked you out, and the date of the checkout.

After being checked out, you may sail any day of the week, provided you sail a boat on which you have checked out.

Night sailing is not allowed.

Maintaining our fleet takes a lot of work, so we require every member to complete 2 hours of maintenance per checkout. This can include anything from cleaning the sail house, to fiberglass work, to folding sails.