Small-Boat Sailing

Small-Boat Sailing merit badge requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in small-boat activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

   b. Review prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that can occur while sailing: blisters, cold-water shock and hypothermia, dehydration, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, sprains, and strains.

   c. Discuss the BSA Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to small-boat activities.

2. Before doing requirements 3 through 9, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.

   Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.

3. Describe the boat you will be using for the sailing requirement, naming all of the major parts and the function of those parts.*
4. Before going afloat, do the following:

   a. Discuss the nine points of the BSA Safety Afloat plan.

   b. Explain the rules of the road in general and any specific rules or laws that apply to your area or state.

   c. Explain how water conditions, the hazards of weather, and heavy winds can affect both- safety and performance in sailing.

   d. Discuss the warning signs of inclement weather and what to do should heavy winds develop or a storm approach.

   e. Prepare a typical float plan.

   f. Discuss the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear required for small-boat sailing in warm weather and in cool weather. Explain how choosing the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear will .help keep you comfortable and safe while sailing.

5. Discuss with your counselor how to identify the wind direction and wind indicators. Explain the importance of this task before setting sail.
6. Following the BSA Safety Afloat plan, show that you and a buddy can sail a boat properly. Do the following:

   a. Prepare a boat for sailing, including a safety inspection.

   b. Get underway from a dock,. mooring, or beach.

   c. Properly set sails for a round-trip course approved by your counselor that will include running, beating, and reaching-the basic points of sail. While sailing, demonstrate good helmsmanship skills.

   d. Change direction by tacking; change direction by jibing.

   e. Demonstrate getting out of irons.

   f. Demonstrate the safety position.

   g. Demonstrate capsize procedures and. the rescue of a person overboard.**

   h. Demonstrate the procedure to take after running aground.

   i. Upon returning to the dock, mooring, or beach, properly secure all equipment, furl or stow sails, and prepare the craft for unattended docking or beaching overnight or longer.

7. Demonstrate a working knowledge of marlinespike seamanship. Do the following:

   a. Show how to tie a square (reef) knot, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, cleat hitch, and figure-eight knot. Demonstrate the use of each.

   b. Show how to heave a line, coil a line, and fake down a line.

   c. Discuss the kinds of lines used on sailboats and the types of fibers used in their manufacture. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.

8. Describe how you would care for and maintain a sailboat and its gear throughout the year.
9. With your counselor, review sailing terminology and the points of sail. Discuss various types of sailboats in use today and explain their differences.

* The skill demonstrated on any boat available to the Scout; sailboards are not acceptable. While no specific sail plan is recommended, it is suggested that the craft be smaller than 20 feet. The boat must be capsizable and have the capability of sailing to windward.

** Capsize procedures should be conducted under the close supervision of the counselor. A rescue boat should be standing by to assist, if necessary, and to tow the capsized craft to shore. Self-bailing boats are acceptable for this requirement. Extreme care should be taken to avoid personal injury and damage to the boat or equipment.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: 2018 Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568)

A FREE workbook for Small-Boat Sailing is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Small-Boat Sailing requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, Cub Scout workbooks, and Nova Award workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Cub Scouts
  • Tiger Elective Adventure: Floats and Boats
  • Bear Elective Adventure: Salmon Run
  • Wolf Elective Adventure: Spirit of the Water
  • Webelos/Arrow of Light Elective Adventure: Aquanaut
• Boy Scouts/Venturers/Sea Scouts:
  • Awards for everyone older than Cub Scouts (Boy Scouts/Venturers/Sea Scouts): Boardsailing BSA - BSA Lifeguard - BSA Stand Up Paddleboarding - BSA Swim Test - Kayaking BSA - Mile Swim BSA - Scuba BSA - Snorkeling BSA - Whitewater Rafting BSA - National Outdoor Award for Aquatics
  • Boy Scout Merit Badges: Canoeing - Kayaking - Lifesaving - Motorboating - Rowing - Scuba Diving - Small-Boat Sailing - Swimming - Water Sports - Whitewater
  • Boy Scout Awards: BSA Complete Angler
  • Boy Scout ranks: Second Class - First Class
  • Venturer: Ranger Award electives: Lifesaving - Scuba - Watercraft
  • Sea Scout Ranks: Apprentice - Ordinary - Able - Quartermaster
  • Sea Scout Awards: Small Boat Handler - Qualified Seaman - Long Cruise Award

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Archery - Athletics - Climbing - Cycling - Fishing - Fly Fishing - Golf - Horsemanship - Orienteering - Rifle Shooting - Shotgun Shooting - Skating - Small-Boat Sailing - Snow Sports - Sports - Swimming - Water Sports - Whitewater
• Venturing: Quest Award; Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration - Cycling - Equestrian - Fishing - Hunting - Mountaineering - COPE - Shooting Sports - Winter Sports

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)