Dinghy (D) tests

Eligibility and Schedule

Any active YCC member who:

• has sailed at least 4 times on a YCC RS500, RS400 or Melges 15, and
• has sailing experience prior to the four outings on YCC Dinghes or completed a Dinghy course, and
• has done 3 helper's sessions.

Procedure

To schedule a test, candidates must have completed all the above-mentioned requirements.

A test can be requested by completing the corresponding registration form.

The test coordinator appoints an examiner and arranges a date and time for the test.

• A buoyancy aid must be worn.
• A wetsuit must be worn if the examiner judges that such protection is required.
• A minimum wind speed of 2 Beaufort (4-6 knots) is required to perform the test.
• The examiner may be either on the boat or on a motor boat during the test.
• If on the boat, the examiner acts as normal crew.

Contents of the Test

Rules

Rules are tested before rigging. The following rules should be known:

Club Rules

• Read the Club Rules.

Swiss Regulations

• Priority rules on the lake.
• Priority rules in and around the harbour.

Knots

Knots are tested before rigging. The following knots should be known:

• Figure of eight (noeud en huit)
• Bowline (noeud de chaise)
• Turning a cleat (noeud de taquet) OR Clove Hitch (noeud cabestan)

Rigging

Rig the boat properly, according to the instruction and the YCC practice. Put particular attention to:

• Boat structural integrity check, turnbuckle safety pin, water bung and inspection cap closed, paddle on board, maintenance status and part missing.
• Rigging: Rudder mount, hoist sail with boat into the wind, jib, optional mast floating device attached to the main, hoist main to the top, then: cunningham, kicker/vang/gnav and base outhaul with emergency release. Keeping the main sheet loose during the operation.
• Crew preparation: Wetsuite if needed, Buoyancy aid vest 50N, trapeize harness (on Rs500),and being aware of mandatory items on board: whistle, red flag for emergency, and suggested items: knife.

Sailing

Try to ensure correct sail trim while sailing. The helmsperson-candidate is expected to give clear orders to the crew when executing manoeuvres. Both the helmsperson and the crew should compensate heeling with their weight. Capsizing is to be avoided during this part of the test.

Execute the following tour:

• Leave the harbour.
• Approach the yellow buoy outside the harbour and stop at the buoy, sails loose, bow into the wind [1]. The crew touches the buoy with either a hand or the paddle. Try at most 3 times.
• From total halt, sail towards the coast opposite Versoix (i.e. to Corsier). Tack only if you find yourself going towards Versoix.
• Do a run at beam reach (vent de travers) for a few minutes [2].
• Bear away to plain running (vent arrière) and maintain this course for approximately a minute [3].
• Gybe and regain plain running. Gybe from controlled running into controlled running. Involuntary gybing, re-gybing and broaching after the gybe must be avoided. Try a second time if the first attempt fails [4].
• Continue plain running for a minute [5].
• Luff to beam reach [6].
• Sail at beam reach until you're down-wind of the yellow buoy [7].
• Luff [8] and maintain a close-hauled course [9].
• Tack [10] as soon as you believe you can round the buoy on a close-hauled course [11].
• Leave the buoy on starboard with wind from the North, on port with wind from the South. Make sure you do not touch the buoy. Tack more often if needed, but do not repeat the approach. Continue close-hauled for a few boat lengths after the buoy.
• Sail as tight a 360° circle as you can manage adjusting the sails and the rudder position continuously [12].
• Heave-to in order to stop your boat (mise à la cape) [13].
• Change the helmsperson. The new helmsperson does the same manoeuvres and returns the boat into the harbour.

In case of wind from the N (sketch in PDF and in PS format):

In case of wind from the S (sketch in PDF format):

Capsizing

• The tester might ask for a capsize demonstration where the helm should do the main actions (be on the centerboard etc.) to righten the boat. This can be omitted if the tester knows that the candidate has successfully demonstrated his or her capsize abilities during a Dinghy course or club practice outing.

Unrigging

• Make sure neither the rudder nor the centreboard touches the ground.
• Empty the boat of water.
• Correctly fold and store the sails.
• Fix the cover on the boat such that rain will not accumulate in the cover.
• Tie the boat to the ground.

Norms

While you sail your course, the examiner watches for errors and ranks them in three categories: red, of which you're not allowed to make any; orange, of which you're allowed to make 2 provided you make no other errors, or 1 with at most 2 blue errors in addition; blue of which you can make 5, provided you make neither red nor orange errors.

Severe Errors

• Errors which put a person in danger, or which would have put a person in danger had the examiner not intervened. This includes not having a sufficient number of buoyance aids on board, or not wearing them if the conditions warrant this.
• Insufficient knowledge of, or non-respect of, priority rules.
• A collision with another boat with you at fault, or an action which would have resulted in a collision had the examiner not intervened, no matter whether the other boat belongs to the YCC or not.
• Not being able to right your boat without external assistance after capsizing.
• Inability to stop your boat by whichever means other than capsizing.

Errors

• Unable to make without hesitation the three basic knots listed.
• Hoisting sails while not head to the wind.
• Running into the buoys in the channel while leaving the harbour, while sailing or while returning.
• Failing to do one correct buoy stop in three attempts. The buoy stop is valid if the boat comes to a total halt, the buoy can be reached with a paddle from the boat, and the mast of the boat stays downwind of the buoy.
• Failing twice to perform a controlled gybe, e.g. luff or broach after a gybe, accidental re-gybe.
• The boat returns to the original course after an attempt at going-about.
• Involuntary capsizing, except when caused by a violent gust.
• Leaving a circle with a radius of 3 boat lengths while doing the 360° loop.
• Failure to heave-to, i.e. stopping the boat with the jib on the windward side, at the end of the course.

Warnings

• Problems while rigging the boat, e.g. hoisting a sail entangled in itself or with the halyard entangled in the shrouds, trapeze or spreaders.
• Sailing towards Versoix after the first stop near the yellow buoy with the boat facing the wind.
• Incorrect angle to the wind.
• Incorrect sail trim.
• Needing additional tacks while approaching the buoy at the end of the course.
• Excessive margin while approaching and rounding the buoy.
• Touching the buoy while passing by, at the end of the course.
• Need for corrective action by the examiner while unrigging.

Original drafted by Vincenzo Innocente and Udo Wagner, drawings by Udo Wagner, norms from Michel Cornevin.