Topic: Boating Basics
Concepts: Boating Terminology, Line Handling ~ Five Basic Knots,
Boat Capacity
Skills:
1. Complete Boat Terminology Worksheet (10 points) ~ Due next day of
class
2. Identify/Tie Five Basic Knots
3. Identify Key Aspects of Boat
4. Identify Boat Capacity Limits
Objective: Students will be able to identify key parts of a boat, tie basic knots, identify boat capacity limits, and complete a terminology worksheet.
Lesson Activity:
Materials Needed: 30 small toy boats ( number may vary depending
on personal class size), 30 4 inch ropes
Boating Terminology:
Huddle students in a semi-circle around the teacher. Each student will
have a boat of their own in their hands. Task cards will be on the
wall (parts of the boat, and end /side names of the boat). Present the
idea that boating has a language of its own and just like any language
which is foreign it requires practice and repetitious use to manner.
Teacher will have own boat and follow the task card diagrams. Students
will practice saying names with teacher then get into groups of 3-4 students
and quiz one another on the terminology.
Getting Underway ~ Line Handling and Marlinespike:
Getting underway for the first time can be a stressful experience.
However, with lots of pre-planning and preparation, stress can be kept
at a minimum and a safe voyage can be expected.
When aboard a boat ropes are no longer called ropes, they are called
lines. At least three and preferably four lines should be carried aboard
for docking. A bow line to secure the bow, a stern line to secure the stern,
and at least one spring line to reduce fore and aft movement. The task
card below will be used to show the students these positions of the lines.
Students shall look carefully at the task card and questions should be
answered.
Five Basic Knots:
There are five basic knots that every boater should know. All knots
used by boaters are designed to be easy to tie, take a tremendous amount
of strain and then be easy to untie.
The five knots can be found on the Developmental Analysis Home Page.
Teacher shall demonstrate tying the knot, then have the students practice themselves.
Teaching Cues for tying the knots can also be found on the Developmental
Analysis Home Page. ( These diagrams can also be used as task cards to give
the students a visual demonstration).
Boat Capacity:
Boat builders must comply with Federal law by putting a Capacity plate
in sight of the helm (steering area) on motorized boats less than 20 feet
in length. This plate displays three carrying weight of the vessel in pounds
and the maximum horsepower recommended for the boat. This task card can
also be displayed for the students to recognize as a key component of boating
safety.
Students will break into groups of 2 and figure out safe loading capacities
of two boat sizes. The formulas they will use to derive their answers can be
found on the Developmental Analysis Home
Page, and the in-class assignment sheet could look like the diagram below:
Use the formulas given on the task card to determine the safe loading capacity of the two following boats:
BOAT #1:
HORSEPOWER CAPACITY = boat length x boat width
Boat length = 15 feet
Boat width = 5 feet
? WHAT IS HORSEPOWER CAPACITY OF THIS BOAT? _________
PERSON CAPACITY = Boat Length x Boat width/15
Boat length = 15 feet
Boat width = 5 feet
? WHAT IS PERSON CAPACITY OF THIS BOAT? __________
BOAT #2
Boat Length = 10 feet
Boat Width = 4 feet
What is horsepower capacity?______ Person Capacity_________?
It should be advised to the students that they need to keep everything in the boat balanced - this includes people, pets, coolers, etc. Even if the boat has the capacity to carry a few people and a few coolers filled with soda, they do not want everyone sitting together on one side of the boat. They should secure the gear so that is does not all slide to one side of the boat and become unbalanced.
Assignment #1: Boat Safety Word Search
Due: Next day of class
* Also at the beginning of the next class students will have a short
oral quiz on the basic knots and how to tie them. The students will be
expected to teach the knots to their group members ( to be determined before
the end of the hour by teacher) assuming their group members do not
have any experience in rope tying.
Quiz will be worth 5 points
See rubric and more guidelines on Assessment
Page Under Quiz One