Cabin Keelboat (GS) Test

Eligibility

Any active YCC member who

• holds a Yngling key and another key, and
• has sailed at least 4 times on the YCC GibSea 264 and
• has done 3 helper's sessions since the beginning of the season (the session can be done after taking the test, in which case the key will be validated after the last session has been performed).

Anyone wishing to use the YCC GibSea 264 as skipper must pass a YCC Cabin Keelboat test, even when holding a Swiss D permit or equivalent.

Procedure

The Cabin keelboat test comprises a practical and, according to your situation, a theoretical part. In addition, obtaining a Swiss sailing permit may be required.

Theory Test

Members who have passed the theory test of the Swiss police (see the Swiss ordinance) with a view to obtaining a Swiss sailing permit, as well as members not legally required to hold a Swiss D permit but holding a national permit on the basis of which a Swiss D or A permit could be obtained if the member were to change their residence to Switzerland, do not have do not have to pass a YCC theory exam. The list of national permits that can be exchanged for Swiss sailing permits can found at the following link: (Cirulaire 54)

All other members are required to pass a YCC internal theory exam which covers the same material as the theory part of the Swiss test. The internal theory exam can be passed before or after the practical test. To prepare for the internal theory test, study the latest edition of the booklet Naviguez sur les eaux suisses! which is a summary of the Swiss legislation in the matter, essentially the LNI and the ONI and, at the Geneva level, the cantonal law.

Swiss Sailing Permit

Since the our cabin keelboats have a sail surface exceeding 15 m2, the skipper must hold a Swiss D permit, or a national permit recognised as equivalent in Switzerland, should a permit be required in the country of residence. Members who have been resident in Switzerland for 12 months or more, must therefore, before they can use the YCC GibSea 264 as skipper, in addition to the YCC test, either exchange a national sailing permit against a Swiss D permit or obtain a Swiss D permit by passing a test with the Swiss police or a delegate appointed by the police. The Swiss D permit can be obtained either before or after the YCC test is passed.

The engine of the GibSea has a motor power of 12 HP (8.9 kW). the skipper must hold a Swiss A permit, or a national permit recognised as equivalent in Switzerland, should a permit be required in the country of residence. Members who have been resident in Switzerland for 12 months or more, must therefore, before they can use the YCC GibSea 264 as skipper, in addition to the YCC test, either exchange a national motor boat permit against a Swiss A permit or obtain a Swiss A permit by passing a test with the Swiss police or a delegate appointed by the police. The Swiss A permit can be obtained either before or after the YCC test is passed.

French Permits

On lake Geneva, following a Swiss-French agreement, France requests a motor license (also on lakes) for boats having more than 6HP (4,5 kW) or engine power. French residents must therefore have either the French motor license or a national license deemed equivalent by the French authorities.

Practical Test

For the practical part, the candidate contacts the test coordinator responsible for the Cabin keelboats. The test coordinator appoints an examiner. If the test follows a GibSea course, then the examiner cannot be the person who gave the course. The candidate and examiner agree on a date and time. After the test, the examiner reports via the test report functionality.

The practical tests can take place provided:

• there is more than a light breeze or 2 Beaufort, i.e. the wind speed exceeds 6 knots, 11.11 ^km/_h or 3.09 ^m/_s;
• the boat is fully operational, engine included.

Contents

The test consists of the following:

• rigging the boat correctly with appropriate sails, according to the expected wind, leaving it in order, using appropriate knots;
• knowledge of the boat (manoeuvring the centreboard, non-use of the sinks and WC, the furling foresail, the battery situation, etc.);
• knowledge of and manoeuvring with the engine in the harbour (restricted space, coming to a jetty);
• leaving the mooring by engine and returning to it by engine or by sails, task distribution for the crew, mooring the boat by the appropriate knots;
• reefing the main and using the furling foresail while sailing;
• execute the man-overboard manoeuvre under engine and sails, stop the boat, the man being leeward side;
• sailing in all direction, going-about (tacking), gibing well controlled, with and without spinnaker);
• taking a reef in the main and changing the foresail while sailing;
• stopping at a buoy;
• knowledge of the special rules and checklist for the GibSea;
• knowledge of the gas facilities;
• knowledge of the lights;
• knowledge of storage spaces.

The candidate is invited to delegate tasks to crew members, examiner included, by giving orders explaining accurately and concisely what the crew is expected to do.

Norms

No person should be put into danger because of errors of the candidate. Priority rules must be respected. There should be no collisions with other boats as a result of errors of the candidate, nor interventions by the examiner to avoid collisions.

Inside the Harbour:

• clear briefing of the crew before executing any harbour manoeuvre;
• manoeuvres by sail or by engine, at the choice of the candidate;
• courtesy towards other harbour users;
• the candidate checks the fastening of the mooring lines and verifies that all fenders are in place before leaving the boat.

Buoy Stop:

• boat starts to drift backwards with the tip within 1 m from the buoy;
• arrival should be nose into the wind;
• moving the boom by hand is permitted;
• the choice of sails for the manoeuvre is free;
• 2 tries with at least 1 success.

Man-overboard:

• person remains for at least 15 sec within 50 cm from the boat, anywhere between leeward shrouds and stern;
• person is not hit by the boat and is not at any time underneath the boat;
• technique as desired (going-about or gybe, heave-to or not, slowing down by pushing the boom across);
• 4 tries with at least 2 successes.

Spinnaker:

• the spinnaker may be hoisted from the cabin or from the bow;
• the spinnaker has to be rigged correctly;
• correct choice of sail: gauge spinnaker or mast-head spinnaker, depending on the conditions;
• appropriate actions must be taken in case of an imminent broach;
• gybing does not have to be fast, but must be done keeping control over the boat at all times.

The remaining items have to be correct on the first try.