Find a Merit Badge
Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge (Boy Scouts)
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1:
Do the following:
- Explain first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while small-boat sailing, including hypothermia, dehydration, heat reactions, motion sickness, cuts, scratches, abrasions, contusions, puncture wounds, and blisters.
- Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
- 2: Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.
- 3: Describe the boat you will be using for the sailing requirement, naming all of the major parts and the function of those parts.*
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4:
Before going afloat, do the following:
- Discuss the nine points of the BSA Safety Afloat plan.
- Explain the rules of the road in general and any specific rules or laws that apply to your area or state.
- Explain how water conditions, the hazards of weather, and heavy winds can affect both safety and performance in sailing.
- Discuss the warning signs of inclement weather and what to do should heavy winds develop or a storm approach.
- Prepare a typical float plan.
- Discuss the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear required for small-boat sailing in warm weather and in cool weather. Explain how choosing the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear will help keep you comfortable and safe while sailing.
- 5: Discuss with your counselor how to identify the wind direction and wind indicators. Explain the importance of this task before setting sail.
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6:
Following the BSA Safety Afloat plan, show that you and a buddy can sail a boat properly. Do the following:
- Prepare a boat for sailing, including a safety inspection.
- Get underway from a dock, mooring, or beach.
- Properly set sails for a round-trip course approved by your counselor that will include running, beating, and reaching--the basic points of sail. While sailing, demonstrate good helmsmanship skills.
- Change direction by tacking; change direction by jibing.
- Demonstrate getting out of irons.
- Demonstrate the safety position.
- Demonstrate capsize procedures and the rescue of a person overboard.**
- Demonstrate the procedure to take after running aground.
- Upon returning to the dock, mooring, or beach, properly secure all equipment, furl or stow sails, and prepare the craft for unattended docking or beaching overnight or longer.
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7:
Demonstrate a working knowledge of marlinespike seamanship. Do the following:
- Show how to tie a square (reef) knot, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, cleat hitch, and figure-eight knot. Demonstrate the use of each.
- Show how to heave a line, coil a line, and fake down a line.
- Discuss the kinds of lines used on sailboats and the types of fibers used in their manufacture. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- 8: Describe how you would care for and maintain a sailboat and its gear throughout the year.
- 9: With your counselor, review sailing terminology and the points of sail. Discuss various types of sailboats in use today and explain their differences