Signoff Forms

Small Boat Skills Advancement

RSC has three small boat skill levels:

Beginner

All members, no matter their experience, start out at the Beginner level. Beginner-level sailors may use the 14-foot dinghies within the log boom when a Dockmaster is on duty, or may crew for more experienced sailors at any time. Dockmasters or instructors are authorized to sign off skills on your Intermediate-level signoff form.

Intermediate – Those who have completed their Intermediate-level signoff sheet, completed their volunteer commitment, and have been approved by the Dockmasters, may use any sailboat 20 feet or under, that they have had an orientation sail on, when a Dockmaster is on duty, within sight of the RSC dock (to the south end of Mercer Island). Dockmasters or instructors are authorized to sign off skills on your Intermediate-level signoff form. After taking the Dockmaster Clinic, Intermediate sailors are eligible to serve as Assistant Dockmasters.

Advanced – Those who have completed their Advanced-level signoff sheet, completed their volunteer commitment, and have been approved by the Dockmasters for both proficiency and safe judgment, may use any sailboat 20 feet or under, that they have had an orientation sail on, within Lake Washington or Lake Union and have access to these vessels at any time during daylight hours. Advanced sailors may work on keelboat proficiency checklists if they are interested in learning more (note that a Keelboat Maintenance Fee is required). After getting their Powerboat Signoff and taking the Dockmaster Clinic, Advanced sailors are eligible to serve as Dockmasters.

Large Dinghy/Small Keelboat Orientation Sail – Renton Sailing Center members who have completed their Intermediate Level Signoff and completed this Orientation Sail may skipper a large dinghy or small keelboat larger than 15 feet but 20 or less feet LOA such as the Hunter 170 or the RS Venture in the same navigation area their level allows them to.

Power Boat – Those who have completed their power boat sign off form may use the coach boat within the log boom when not being used by a dockmaster. This signoff also prepares sailors to use the outboard motors on the larger sailboats, as well as becoming a Dockmaster.

Keelboat Skills Advancement

Members who have completed and received RSC approval as an Advanced sailor, and paid the keelboat maintenance fee, may begin working on the Keelboat Signoff Sheet for one of the keelboats (sailing vessels longer than 20 feet). It is helpful to crew for RSC keelboat skippers and/or complete a Basic Keelboat Course before beginning the sign-off process. Before skippering these boats, the Keelboat Maintenance Fee must be paid.

Note that there are two different levels based on limits to navigation: Lake Washington/Lake Union Day Sailing and Salish Sea Cruising.

Contact one of the RSC Board-approved Keelboat Instructors who can sign off for the specific keelboat that you are interested in: