Cruising Catamaran Instructor Endorsement Standards

Cruising Catamaran Instructor Endorsement Standards

Required Equipment
The multi-hull endorsement course and examination shall be conducted on a catamaran of at least 34ft., with wheel steering, twin engine auxiliary power, and adequate equipment inventory to complete all required certification outcomes.

Prerequisites
The prerequisite for the Catamaran Endorsement is US Sailing Cruising Instructor Certification. This endorsement may be taught concurrently with any certification from the Cruising Instructor level or higher.

Certification Requirements
The Catamaran Instructor Endorsement requires the successful completion of the following knowledge and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be performed safely, with confident command of the boat with a wind of at least 10 knots.

Sailing Skills
-Demonstrate the trim cycle for a catamaran, including the proper use of the traveler and/or boom vang.
-Demonstrate the specialized skills of tacking a catamaran.
-Demonstrate jibing, including proper control of the mainsail.
-Demonstrate shortening sail to depower the boat.

· Properly demonstrate one of the overboard rescue methods under sail, taking into account the boat’s performance characteristics.
· Properly demonstrate one of the overboard rescue methods under power, taking into account the boat’s performance characteristics.

Knowledge
Catamaran Characteristics
· Describe the features of catamaran design, handling, and sailing performance.
· Describe the advantages and disadvantages of typical catamaran accommodations.

Maneuvering under power
· Understand the maneuvering differences between a single engine boat and a twin engine boat.
· Describe the different arrangements of engine installations and their effects on maneuvering.
· Understand the limitations of visibility from the helm station on various designs. Explain how this affects docking procedures, crew responsibilities, and boat positioning.
· Understand how to use twin engines to steer, pivot, and maneuver the boat in close quarters.
· Understand why maneuvering in reverse, in high winds, while in close quarters may be necessary.
· Understand the techniques needed to land at a dock with one engine inoperative.
· Understand the use of one engine while motor sailing or steaming.

Sailing Skills
· Explain the effect of apparent wind and how it leads to the need for repeated sail trim adjustments as the boat      speed increases.
· Explain the importance of the use of the boom vang and/or traveler to maintain proper mainsail shape.
· Understand the techniques for tacking, including proper steering throughout the maneuver.
· Explain the differences in jibing, including proper control of the mainsail leech.
· Understand the lack of obvious cues for the need to reduce sail as the wind increases, and explain what cues are available.
· Explain various techniques for reducing sail area, including traditional and single line mainsail reefing.

Overboard rescue
· Explain vessel performance characteristics and how that affects overboard rescue maneuvers.
· Discuss PIW retrieval techniques.

Anchoring and Mooring Techniques
· Understand the need for an anchor bridle while using a single anchor off the bow.
· Explain the two most common arrangements of anchor bridles.
· Describe the steps required to set two anchors off the bow.
· Explain the advantages and disadvantages of picking up a mooring from the bow versus stern.
· Explain the steps required to pick up a mooring from the bow and the stern.