Basic Keelboat Certification

The Basic Keelboat graduate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to responsibly skipper and crew a simple day sailing keelboat in familiar waters in light to moderate wind and sea conditions.

PREREQUISITE: There is no US Sailing prerequisite for Basic Keelboat Certification.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: It is recommended that Basic Keelboat Certification courses and examinations be conducted on 18′ to 27′ day sailing sloop-rigged keelboats with tiller steering and with adequate equipment inventory to complete all required certification outcomes.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Basic Keelboat Certification requires the successful completion of these knowledge and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be able to be performed safely with confident command of the boat in familiar waters with a wind range of 5 to 15 knots. Some regions may have stronger prevailing conditions, which are acceptable if the candidate can safely control the boat and be aware of his or her limitations in these conditions. The certified candidate will be able to skipper a tiller-steered keelboat up to 27 feet in length.

Basic Cruising Certification

The Basic Cruising graduate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to responsibly skipper and crew an auxiliary powered cruising sailboat, during daylight hours, within sight of land in moderate wind and sea conditions.

PREREQUISITE: The prerequisite for Basic Cruising Certification is a US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: It is recommended that Basic Cruising Certification courses and examinations be conducted on 23′ to 32′ sloop-rigged cruising keelboats with auxiliary power and with adequate equipment inventory to complete all required certification outcomes.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Basic Cruising Certification requires the successful completion of these knowledge and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be able to be performed safely with confident command of the boat in a wind range of 5 to 15 knots. Some regions may have stronger prevailing conditions, which are acceptable if the candidate can safely control the boat and be aware of his or her limitations in these conditions. The certified candidate will be able to skipper a keelboat up to 32′ in length.

Bareboat Cruising Certification

The Bareboat Cruising graduate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to skipper and crew an inboard auxiliary powered cruising sailboat within sight of land and bring it safely to anchor during daylight hours.  

PREREQUISITE: The prerequisite for Bareboat Cruising Certification is a US Sailing Basic Cruising Certification.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: It is recommended that Bareboat Cruising courses and examinations be conducted on 30′ to 45′ sloop-rigged cruising keelboats with wheel steering and auxiliary diesel power, and with adequate equipment inventory to complete all required certification outcomes.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Bareboat Cruising Certification requires the successful completion of these knowledge and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be able to be performed safely with confident command of the boat with a wind of at least 15 knots.

Cruising Catamaran Endorsement

The Bareboat Cruising Catamaran graduate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to skipper and crew an inboard auxiliary powered cruising catamaran within sight of land and bring it safely to anchor during daylight hours.  

PREREQUISITES: The prerequisite for the Catamaran Endorsement is a US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification. This endorsement may be taught concurrently with any certification from the Bareboat Cruising level or higher.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: The multihull endorsement course and examination shall be conducted on a catamaran of at least 34′, with wheel steering, twin engine auxiliary power, and adequate equipment inventory to complete all required certification outcomes.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The Catamaran Endorsement requires the successful completion of these knowledge and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be performed safely with confident command of the boat with a wind of at least 10 knots.

Challenge a Course

If you are an experienced sailor, you may challenge a course to achieve your desired certification level. The US Sailing Keelboat Certification System is a series of sailing levels based on the natural progression of experience from daysailing to cruising and then extended passage making.

A certification candidate may, with previous experience and competency, challenge the required prerequisite levels by completing the written and practical examinations for each required level.  Essentially, you will be taken for an on-the-water check out for the highest level of certification you are challenging.  Pass the practical and then take the exams for the appropriate certification levels.

An example is that you wish to challenge the bareboat cruising certification.  You are taken for an on-the-water check out at the bareboat cruising level to ensure you have the skill sets we expect our students to have at that level.  Pass the practical and then you take the multiple-choice exams at the basic keelboat, basic cruising, and bareboat cruising levels. 

Click here to review the standards for all U.S. Sailing certification levels.

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