Enlisted Sail Training Squadron Training
Limited to Enlisted members, E-5 and below.
Basic crew skills and practice sailing on the Luders 44' yawl.
Students will "learn the ropes" and perform tacking, gybing, points of sail, crew overboard, and other key maneuvers. Four sails will be raised, used, and lowered: Main, Jib/Genoa, Mizzen, and Mizzen Staysail. Depending on winds, training will focus on light (<5 kts) or moderate (5-15 kts) sailing and sail trim. If winds are light, the Drifter sail will also be used.
Proper use of crew commands and responses, crew coordination, and safety protocols for operating a large sailboat will be stressed. All crew positions will be rotated to ensure every member gains experience at all positions:
- Bow lookout
- Jib/Genoa sail trim
- Main sail trim
- Mizzen sail trim
- Mizzen staysail trim
- Helm
At least one sailing session is required as part of the Enlisted Sail Training Squadron A-Mate Crew qualification.
Members with sufficient experience may graduate to racing the yawls during sanctioned racing events, if desired.