SOS Sailing Fitness Levels

Level 1
 ● Be able to get on and off a boat at the dock with assistance as necessary.

 ● Be able to easily move about the cockpit from one side of the boat to the other.
 ● Be able to climb up and down the companionway ladder while at the dock.

Level 2
 ● Be able to get on and off most boats at the dock with no, or minimal assistance.

 ● Be able to move about the cockpit, unaided, while at the dock.
 ● Be able to climb up and down the companionway ladder unaided while at the dock.
 ● Be able to bring provisions, and personal gear (clothing, foul weather gear, and bedding) to the
boat.
 ● Be able to walk to the bow of the boat with boat at slip or on mooring.

Level 3
 ● All tasks in Level 2, plus
 ● Be able to move freely about the cockpit and around the deck of boat while at the dock.
 ● Be able to climb up/down the companionway ladder while underway.
 ● Be able to throw and retrieve and tie lines while at the dock; use a boat hook.
 ● Be able to remove and replace lines and fenders from a lazarette.
 ● Be able to go to mast and assist with taking a sail cover on or off at the dock.
 ● Be able to walk to the bow of the boat with boat underway.

Level 4
 ● All tasks in Levels 2 and 3 plus: 
 ● Move around the cockpit and foredeck of boat while underway in easy/calm conditions

 ● Assist with raising and lowering a sail, on deck or with clutches
 ● Use a winch to trim or raise a sail in normal conditions (winds 5 to 15 kts)
 ● Assist with raising or lowering an anchor using an electric windlass.
 ● Throw lines to another boat while entering a raft and bend over to cleat lines.
 ● Climb up and down the companionway ladder while boat is moving in normal sailing conditions.
 ● Throw a ring buoy or cushion at least ten feet.

Level 5
 ● All tasks in Levels 2, 3 & 4 plus:

 ● Be able to move easily around the cockpit and foredeck of boat underway in higher wind &
wave conditions.
 ● Be able to assist with raising or lowering a sail in winds >15 and higher gusts, and higher wave
conditions.
 ● Be able to assist with raising or lowering an anchor (line) without a windlass.
 ● Be able to climb up and down the companionway ladder in higher wind/wave conditions. (see
above)
 ● Be able to use a winch for longer duration and with more wind stress.

Level 6
 ● All tasks in Levels 2, 3, 4 & 5 plus:
 ● Be able to move around boat in heavy weather and stormy conditions possibly over several
hours.

Unable to Answer
 
I’m not familiar enough with the sailing tasks outlined in the described fitness levels to acknowledge whether I am fit to perform these task.