Before you sail, please be aware of these things:

Sailing When Commercial Vessels are Present

DC Sail members, volunteer instructors and staff must stay clear of and give way to commercial vessels at all times. They pose a serious safety risk to our boats and our members. 

Docking and Rigging Checklist and Rules

Rigging

• Check to make sure all required safety equipment is on the boat
• Sails and halyards attached
• Jib sheets guided through blocks with figure-8 knot at the ends
• Main sheet uncleated
• Centerboard lowered
• Tiller fitted into rudder

Departure

• Request tow from dock staff.  Use VHF channel 69 to hail dock manager
• • Proceed under tow from inflatable
  • Once towed to the middle of the channel, steer boat upwind (inflatable will continue to tow you)
  • Once upwind, raise main sail
  • Raise jib sail
  • Proceed under sail
  • Bring dock/tow lines into boat

Return

• Request tow from dock staff.  Use VHF 69 to hail dock manager
• • Sail in middle of the channel until staff member brings inflatable aside your boat
  • Stay clear of all large powerboats 
  • Position boat into the direction of the wind
  • Lower sails
  • Steer boat into the marina while under tow
  • Maneuver boat into slip.
  • secure boat in slip with 1 bow, 1 stern line
  • De-rig boat

De-rigging

• Center boat in slip with 1 bow line, 1 stern line
• Roll Jib
• Fold Main at second batten and roll. Secure to boom with at least sail ties
• Boom is in boom crutch
• Main sheet is coiled and out of the bilge
• Centerboard raised
• Tiller is secured with bungee cord
• If this is the last rental of the day, cover boat with boat cover
• Return VHF radio
• Discard any trash
• Report any problems with the boat

Weather

DC Sail will close if wind conditions render sailing our boats dangerous. The same holds true for thunderstorms and lightning. Learn More >>