Requirement
6. Sail the boat: ten parts, with a buddy, under Safety Afloat
Required Often forgotten
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.
Notes and warnings
Warning. 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.
What this is made of
- 6(a). Prepare the boat, including a safety inspection
- 6(b). Get underway from a dock, mooring or beach
- 6(c). A round trip covering running, beating and reaching
- 6(d). Change direction by tacking, then by jibing
- 6(e). Get out of irons
- 6(f). Demonstrate the safety position
- 6(g). Capsize procedures, and rescue of a person overboard
- 6(h). What to do after running aground
- 6(i). Accept a tow and steer under it for 20 boat lengths
- 6(j). Put the boat to bed properly
Where this step comes from
- Small-Boat Sailing Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2025-12-31), Requirement 6 · Requires that the sailing is done following the Scouting America Safety Afloat plan and with a buddy.