Banff Keel Boat Traning
In 2010, to remedy the lack of local training facilities at the club and in the
North-East, Banff Sailing Club, with local and national funding, purchased and
kitted out 2 Hunter 707 keelboats. These boats are ideally suited to the Moray
Firth and are best sailed with 5 of a crew. The boats rely on a team of people
working together enabling the yachts to sail at their full performance
potential. Learning to sail these boats improves skills and will build your
self-confidence. The boats are best suited to 14+ age group because of the need
for an adequate crew weight. The boats have the stability required for
beginners, but also the speed and excitement of a high performance yacht.
INTRODUCTION TO SAILING
For those new to sailing, these boats provide the perfect opportunity to
enjoy a free “taster session”. You can see if sailing is the sport for you,
without the need to go and buy equipment. These sessions will be run on a
Wednesday evening & some weekends. Due to tides at Banff, the boats will leave
the harbour at different times each week. When tides are totally unsuitable
there will be a maintenance session and a good opportunity to meet the folk
involved. Check the website & facebook for updates.
LEARNING NEW SKILLS
The boats provide a stepping stone to move from dinghy sailing to keelboats.
This can be done by progressing through the levels 1, 2 & 3 keelboat courses.
Sign up and progress to becoming a skipper! Courses will be run on demand; you
can register your interest by email. General sailing sessions are arranged most
weekends and you can join these whenever you like. Our skippers have a wealth of
experience between them and are there to make sure you feel safe and have an
enjoyable time learning.
ACCREDITED HELMS
There are three types of accreditation which are detailed on the “707 Helms”
page. In all cases the skipper must be able to demonstrate they have the
experience necessary to skipper and/or race the boat in all weather conditions
as detailed. The demonstration may be by practical test conducted by the sub-
committee or by evidence of previous sailing experience, or some combination
thereof.
As a guide, we want our Accredited helms to be competent in:
Boat handling under sail: Sail choice, all points of sailing, reefing,
sail and boat trimming.
Boat handling under engine:
Pre start check, using engine, manoeuvring on/off pontoon. Safety: Safety
briefing, life jackets, VHF radio, MOB procedure
Navigation: Interpreting charts, knowing “rights of way” and small
vessels responsibilities in confined waters.
Racing: Knowing racing rules, safely matching boat handling skills and
crew levels to the racing conditions (wind, tide, sea state, fleet size etc.)
BOAT COSTS
Once you have skipper accreditation you can use the boats at any time, full
terms and conditions are available in the clubhouse. The level of contributions
expected for using the boats are detailed on the website. Any non-members
wishing to go out on the boats must take out Temporary membership of the club.
COMPETING
Hunter 707s are an excellent boat for match racing, and afford an all-round
Training experience. The boats will be set up and ready to race.
The 707 is perfect for those new to keelboats (or sailing), and with it having a
spinnaker it is a good all-round training boat. With the club having two 707’s
it means that there is a level playing field for