PAGE 14 • AUTUMN 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
ASA MEMBER PRODUCT REVIEWS
by Karen Axelrod
At this point in my sailing career, many terms and
theories outlined in SeaCards are over my head.
Someday I’m sure I will understand what the red, yellow
and green dots on those boat pictures mean. Also, I look
forward finding out the answer to, “Can Dead Men Vote
Twice at Elections?”
More experienced sailors will find this set helpful as they
prepare for certification at varying levels. The green
SeaCards covering Basic Keelboat Sailing will help those
who plan to obtain their ASA 101, Basic Keelboat
Certification. The orange cards on Basic Coastal Cruising
(ASA 103) focus on a higher level of safe and proficient
boating and are an ideal learning aid for anyone ready to
skipper auxiliary powered sailboats up to 30 feet long in
moderate conditions. If chartering, racing or cruising is
on your agenda, the white SeaCards—along with the rest
of the set—will help provide the extensive knowledge
Karen checks her SeaCards on what to do in case of a man
and proficiency needed to sail safely in all types of
overboard drill before leaving the dock.
conditions.
I
magine you are at a cocktail party next weekend and
SeaCards are the size of a standard business card, so the
someone asks you what the heck those bars are that
author keeps descriptions concise, yet thorough. This is
fasten aloft on a mast to increase the effective angle
one feature that makes SeaCards so user-friendly. I love
of the shrouds. Without missing a beat, you answer,
the one describing Man Over Board Retrieval: “Use
“Spreaders, of course,”—because you have been
whatever method is best.” That’s pretty straightforward.
studying your SeaCards.
Then the author goes on to outline three key strategies
for getting the person back on board and stresses the
SeaCards from Doyle Marine is a set of 450 color-coded importance of discussing MOB procedures with all crew
flash cards that offer new or experienced sailors a fun and passengers. SeaCards also include drawings and
way to learn nautical terms, concepts and theories. It is pictures when needed to illustrate a theory—another
kind of like a marine version of Trivial Pursuit. feature that visual learners will appreciate.
The current Certification Edition of SeaCards is American Children and teens just entering the world of sailing will
Sailing Association approved. The box set includes 125 enjoy SeaCards a lot. They can make a game out of
cards covering material for the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat reading a description and then having a friend or family
Sailing Standard, about 100 on the ASA 103 Basic member guess the term. Just imagine the fun kids will
Coastal Cruising Standard, and the rest covering a broad have in the back of your SUV on those long drives en
range of topics, including the ’72 Collision Regulations, route to the marina for a day of sailing. Because the
signals, sailing mnemonics, and more. The front of each descriptions are short and easy to understand, SeaCards
card features a term, picture (including knots), or basic should appeal to kids with short attention spans as well!
concept. Turn the card over, and the definition is on the
back.
ASA members can purchase SeaCards through ASA at
ASA.com for the discounted price of $19.99. Regular
For someone like me who is new to sailing, SeaCards
price is $24.95 for non-ASA members, and the set
provide a great way to study basic sailing concepts
includes a special SeaCard that offers $10 off a
quickly and easily. The SeaCards offer a helpful learning
membership to ASA—but you have to find it in the
tool that I’ve been using in conjunction with my other
stack.
materials. I have been pulling a small stack of cards
each day and reviewing them throughout the day—
Karen Axelrod of Redondo Beach, Calif., recently completed ASA
which, quite frankly, is more manageable for me than
course 110, part 1: Basic Small Boat Sailing. She did not have
trying to carve out an hour each day to sit down and re-
to implement any MOB procedures except as directed by the
read a book or manual.
instructor.
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