Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge
The nine requirements with all three of the badge's stated gates drawn: the swimmer test, "before going afloat", and the wind check before setting sail, and the conditions requirement 3 places on the boat made visible before one is booked.
10 steps (22 parts inside them). · Version 1, published 13 August 2026 · About Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge
No questions answered
This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody.
The steps
Stage 1 of 10
1 step
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1. Hazards, first aid and Safety Afloat: the only part outside the gate Often forgotten Requirement
Three parts, and the only requirement the swimmer test does not stand in front of.
Stage 2 of 10
1 step
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2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements Often forgotten Training
The Scouting America swimmer test, described in the Swimming merit badge pamphlet. Its sentence puts it in front of the requirements that follow, which is 3 through 9.
The swimmer test stands in front of requirements 3 through 9. That is everything except requirement 1, dry requirements included. Book it early.
Stage 3 of 10
1 step
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3. Describe your boat, and check it is a boat this badge accepts Often forgotten Requirement
Naming the major parts and what each does. The conditions hidden in its note are the important half: capsizable, able to sail to windward, and not a sailboard.
Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements.
The conditions on your boat live in this requirement's note, and they decide whether requirement 6 is possible at all: it must be capsizable, it must be able to sail to windward, and a sailboard will not do. Under 20 feet is suggested rather than required. Requirement 6(g) is a capsize. Settle the boat here, before anything is booked.
Stage 4 of 10
1 step
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4. Before going afloat: six things the badge puts ahead of the sailing Often forgotten Requirement
The badge states this gate in words: these six parts come before requirement 6. Safety Afloat point by point, rules of the road, weather, storm signs, a float plan, and clothing.
Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements.
This requirement opens "Before going afloat". That is a gate stated in words rather than by numbering, and it puts all six of these parts ahead of the sailing in requirement 6, including the float plan at 4(e) and the local rules at 4(b), both of which take time to prepare.
6 parts
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4(b). Rules of the road, plus whatever your state adds Often forgotten
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4(e). Prepare a typical float plan Often forgotten
Stage 5 of 10
1 step
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5. Find the wind, and the badge says this comes before setting sail Often forgotten Requirement
Wind direction and wind indicators, discussed with your counselor, plus why identifying them matters before you sail. That last clause is the second of this badge's stated gates.
Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements.
Stage 6 of 10
1 step
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6. Sail the boat: ten parts, with a buddy, under Safety Afloat Often forgotten Requirement
The body of the badge and most of a day. Everything from rigging and a safety inspection to putting the boat away for the night, by way of a capsize and a tow.
Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements, 4. Before going afloat: six things the badge puts ahead of the sailing and 5. Find the wind, and the badge says this comes before setting sail.
Ten parts, and realistically a day on the water rather than an afternoon. It is sailed with a buddy and under the Safety Afloat plan, and two of its parts need resources beyond your own boat: 6(g) needs a rescue boat standing by, and 6(i) needs a second boat to tow you. Arrange both when you arrange the session.
10 parts
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6(c). A round trip covering running, beating and reaching Often forgotten
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6(g). Capsize procedures, and rescue of a person overboard Often forgotten A deliberate capsize and a person-overboard rescue, conducted under your counselor's close supervision with a rescue boat standing by to assist and to tow. Self-bailing boats are acceptable. This is set out in the requirement itself. It is not caution added by this site.
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6(i). Accept a tow and steer under it for 20 boat lengths Often forgotten
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6(j). Put the boat to bed properly Often forgotten
Stage 7 of 10
1 step
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7. Marlinespike seamanship: knots, line handling, and what line is made of Requirement
Three parts. Six knots demonstrated in use, three ways of handling a line, and a discussion of fibres and their trade-offs.
Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements.
Stage 8 of 10
1 step
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8. Caring for a sailboat and its gear across the year Requirement
Described. Across a year, so it takes in laying up and fitting out rather than just rinsing salt off.
Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements.
Stage 9 of 10
1 step
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9. Terminology, the points of sail, and how sailboats differ Requirement
Reviewed with your counselor. Sitting at the end of the badge, though the points of sail are what requirement 6(c) sails.
Usually comes after 2. Pass the swimmer test: it gates the other eight requirements.
Stage 10 of 10
1 step
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Counselor signs it off Milestone
The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.
Usually comes after 9. Terminology, the points of sail, and how sailboats differ.
Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.
This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.