Skipper Tips: When a Sailboat Considered a Powerboat?

This is a series of posts that answers to the questions from the ONE15 Brooklyn Sail Club's skipper's certification test:

When a Sailboat Considered a Powerboat?

When a sailboat > 12m is under power during the day, it shall display an cone shape.

During the night, a sailboat shall also display a masthead light.

If your outboard is tilted down - it is presumed you are under motor. To avoid confusion, when under sail, tilt the engine out of the water so others know that you have no auxiliary power.

Remember when a sailboat is under power, obey all the COLREGs for motorized vessels.

This is a series of posts that answers to the questions from the ONE15 Brooklyn Sail Club's skipper's certification test:

What Type of Boats Exit Erie Basin?

First - Erie Basin is located near the South End of Red Hook. It has a small channel for entry and exit marked by a day shape on the South Side. At one time dubbed “The busiest place in the Port of New York” is a large man-made protected harbor near the southern point of Red Hook. Its U-shaped breakwater, well over one-half mile long, encloses a large area of water. The basin was originally a major center of the world wide grain trade, and then later of ship building and repair.

Erie Basin is used for by the Water Taxis as its operating base and is also home to a small private marina.

Vessels that use Erie Basin include the following: Tug and barges, the IKEA ferry (yellow - water taxis) and private vessels (motorboats and sailboats).

When sailing in the vicinity of Erie Basin, one needs to be aware of the potential vessels entering and exiting the basin as they are constrained in maneuverability at the entrance. 

More background history of Erie Basin:  https://redhookwaterstories.org/items/show/1597

Our fleet has finally been decommissioned and we are taking a break before we get them ready for Spring launching. We have the usual routine maintenance on our plate but we have one boat that suffered keel and transom damage.

3 J/80s are in stored in Liberty Landing and all other boats are at Moonbeam Gateway.

Our plan (subject to COVID, weather and yard scheduling) is to start the season early. We'll be launching the Liberty Landing boats first and the Gateway located boats afterwards. With any luck we'll be at operation by the last week in April next year!

In the meanwhile. Stay tuned for our winter events and activities. Keep safe.

It's the end of the season but we are already planning the 2021 calendar. We anticipate opening earlier if we can service our boats in the Spring and launch the fleet in warmer weather.

On Wednesdays we had seven teams and on Thursdays we had nine teams  excluding Fleet Captain boats. There are two more skippers expressing in interest in forming teams.

Link to Club Racing Info

This is a series of posts that answers to the questions from the ONE15 Brooklyn Sail Club's skipper's certification test:

How long is the anchor line?

On each of the Sail Club boats, there should be an anchor, chain and line. Each boat anchor meets the minimum requirements under class racing rules

For the Melges 24s you should find an grappling hook, 6 feet of chain and at least 120 feet on line in at waterproof bag.

On the J/80s, there is a Danforth anchor, 6 feet of chain and at least 120 of line in a bag. Ensure the anchor is not resting directly on the hull inside the locker - it will eventually wear out a hole in the fiberglass hull.

Any anchor line can be extended with lines on the boat. Using nylon lines is useful as they can a bit of stretch.

Remember the anchor line is tied to the D-ring on the bow of the Melges OR around the mast on the J/80.

This is a series of posts that answers to the questions from the ONE15 Brooklyn Sail Club's skipper's certification test:

What is the meaning of 1 horn, 2 horns, 3 horns and 5 horns?

Under the COLREGS - Rule 34

Under International Rules - sound signals mean "altering" course

• one short blast - altering course to starboard
• two short blasts - altering course to port
• three short blasts - operating astern propulsion

Under Inland Rules - sound signals mean "intending to altering" course .

• one short blast - altering course to starboard
• two short blasts - altering course to port
• three short blasts - operating astern propulsion
• Five short rapid blasts - danger or in doubt about intentions
• One prolonged long blast - When a power-driven vessel is leaving a dock or berth. 

Bonus: 4 short blasts - pilot vessel engaged on pilot duties in restricted visibility-  Rule 35 (k)