The Vermont State Police changed the guidelines for distance learning. So, the old Boat Vermont boat and PWC safety course and test was discontinued on February 2, 2009.

• Take the NEW Boat Vermont Online Course!

The course material below remains as a resource for all who boat on Vermont's waters—particularly experienced boaters who need a refresher.

Chapter 1: Know Your Boat
Sailboats

Use of the wind is one of the oldest forms of powering a vessel. Sailboats range in size and complexity, but all have basically the same four components.

• The hull– Body of a vessel; basic structure or shell carries the passengers and supports the rigging.
• The rigging includes many parts of the sailboat, such as the lines (sheets– Lines (ropes) used to control the angle of the sails to the wind and halyards– Lines (ropes) used to raise and lower the sails), mainsail, headsail (jib), boom, and mast.
• The keel or centerboard is attached to the bottom of the hull and keeps the boat from sliding sideways through the water.
• The rudder– Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the stern of the boat is used to steer the sailboat, turned by a tiller or steering wheel.