The SEAS Morris boat fleet is made up of AquaFinns (also called “board boats”), and three sloops (one American 14.6, One O’Day Daysailer Tahiti, on MacGregor 22 Grandpa’s Boat). Our fleet also includes one Pearson 303 SEAScape, which lives off of City Island in Long Island Sound, and has its own skipper and crew process.

For our Budd Lake boats, there are two categories of skipper proficiency:

·         Category 1 is for light winds (1-10 knots/1-12mph)

·         Category 2 is for moderate winds (11-16 knots/12-19mph)

Skipper applicants must be proficient at handling the boats in both wind categories, and be evaluated by two different SEAS Morris Basic Sailing instructors.

All skipper applicants must also volunteer at four (4) Basic Sailing water sessions during their initial year, prior to their two sailing evaluations.

If you have any questions, please contact us via the “Who We Are” menu, above.

For Sloop Chapter Skippers

Members who wish to become skippers for the sloops must meet the criteria outlined below.

1.      Passed a SEAS Basic Sailing course, or demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
            Rigging and de-rigging the sloops
            Proficiency in entering and exiting the canal independently
            Safely tacking and jibing
            Demonstrating good boating safety habits on the water
            Perform a man-overboard drill
            Demonstrate good seamanship through care of the boat and other sailing materials    before, during, and after sailing
            Demonstrate an ability to clean and stow sailing materials at the end of a sail

2.      Be able to perform helmsman and crew tasks (e.g., tacking and/or jibing without crew assistance) independently, in the event that crew are incapacitated, or guests/unskilled sailors

3.      Demonstrate proficiency in preparing and calling directions to crew for tacking and jibing

4.      Demonstrate above-skills to two different Basic Sailing instructors

5.      Demonstrate good safety and seamanship skills during whichever weather condition for which the applicant wishes to be approved (e.g., for both “light” and “moderate” winds, the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in both of these conditions to an instructor)

6.      Return sloop in same condition at the end of the sailing day as it was at the beginning of the sailing day

7.      Pay a non-refundable skipper fee of $50, or host two to three open sails per sailing season.

8.      We reserve the right to rescind your skipper privileges due to extreme damage to the boat (as determined by a board member), any instance of ignored safety practices, or ignored equipment hazards.

PLEASE NOTE:

Skippers will be responsible for the safety of themselves and the guests in their sloop. Non-member guests are welcome to attend up to two sails with a skipper before being encouraged to join SEAS Morris as a member.

Note: the Basic Sailing Final counts as one wind check, if performed on a sloop

Skippers will also be responsible for signing out sloops at least 24 hours prior to day of sail by emailing the boat reservation coordinator.

For AquaFinn Chapter Skippers

Members who wish to become skippers for the AquaFinns must meet the criteria outlined below.

1.      Passed a SEAS Basic Sailing course, or demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
            Rigging and de-rigging the AquaFinn
            Proficiency in entering and exiting the canal independently
            Safely tacking and jibing
            Demonstrating good boating safety habits on the water
            Demonstrate a capsize recovery/man overboard drill
            Demonstrate good seamanship through care of the boat and other sailing materials    before, during, and after sailing
            Demonstrate an ability to clean and stow sailing materials at the end of a sail

2.      Demonstrate above-skills to two different Basic Sailing instructors

3.      Demonstrate good safety and seamanship skills in both wind categories across two wind checks.

4.      Returns AquaFinn in same condition at the end of the sailing day as it was at the beginning of the sailing day

5.      Pay a non-refundable skipper fee of $50, or become a SEAS instructor and teach a Basic Sailing class during the sailing season

6.      We reserve the right to rescind your skipper privileges due to extreme damage to the boat (as determined by a board member), any instance of ignored safety practices, or ignored equipment hazards.

Note: the Basic Sailing Final counts as one wind check.

Skippers are responsible for themselves and up to one guest. Non-member guests are welcome to attend up to two sails with a skipper before being encouraged to join SEAS Morris as a member.

Skippers will also be responsible for signing out AquaFinns at least 24 hours prior to day of sail by emailing the boat reservation coordinator.