Swim Rating
Level 0The base rating that confirms a sailor has passed the MIT boating swim test or has certified an equivalent swimming ability.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Low
Ratings
Ratings are how we know how much you know about sailing. Classes and checkoffs are the usual path; use this page to see which ratings those classes grant and which boats they unlock.
Some advanced ratings need a staff checkoff or extra approval after the class.
Charles River
Tech Rating
Level 1First MIT Sailing rating earned from an Introduction class. It allows members to use Tech Dinghies and join Mashnee sails as crew, but not skipper them.
- Unlocks
- Wind
- Low
Provisional Rating
Level 1Staff checkoff for safe Charles River sailing: basic maneuvers, rigging and unrigging, safety precautions, right-of-way rules, and care of the Tech dinghy.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Medium
Crew Rating
Level 2General seamanship rating for nautical knowledge, terminology, knots, splices, and the material covered in the MIT Sailing booklet.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- n/a
Helmsman Rating
Level 3Strong-wind solo Tech dinghy rating for sailors who can sail upwind with good hiking technique, gybe downwind, and demonstrate man-overboard recovery.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- Strong
Lynx
Lynx Catboat Rating
Level 2Clears sailors for Lynx Catboats in medium to strong winds and for moonlight sailing. Additional experience is needed to lead harbor trips.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- Medium-strong
Racing
Laser: Basic
Level 3Basic Laser rating for sailors who can rig the boat, handle capsize-prone single-handed sailing, and use Laser sail controls safely.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- Strong
Laser: Advanced
Level 3Advanced Laser rating for strong single-handed sailors ready for higher-performance Laser use and advanced fleet access.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Strong
Firefly: Basic
Level 3Basic Firefly rating for the Pavilion fleet of Firefly dinghies in medium to strong wind conditions.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Medium-strong
Firefly: Advanced
Level 3Advanced Firefly rating for sailors who have demonstrated higher proficiency in Firefly dinghies.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Medium-strong
420: Basic
Level 3Basic 420 rating for medium to strong wind sailing in Club 420s.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- Medium-strong
420: Advanced
Level 3Advanced 420 rating for sailors ready for high-performance double-handed racing boats, including Melges 15 access.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- Medium-strong
Moth: Basic
Level 3Basic Moth rating for advanced sailors. Moth ratings are assigned only by the Dock Master.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Medium-strong
Moth: Advanced
Level 3Advanced Moth rating for sailors approved by the Dock Master for the Pavilion Moth.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Medium-strong
Windsurfing
Board Sailing Class
Level 2Introductory board sailing rating earned from the windsurfing class. Sailors know basic rigging and elementary windsurfing and should check in with dock staff.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- Medium-strong
Board Sailing: Basic
Level 2Board sailing rating for sailors who can rig beginner equipment, tack, and sail upwind in light to medium wind below 15 knots.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Medium
Board Sailing: Advanced
Level 3Advanced board sailing rating for shaped sails, harness use, tacking, jibing, upwind sailing, and strong wind over 15 knots.
- How you get it
- Requires
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- Medium-strong
Mashnee
Bluewater Crew
Level 2Mashnee leadership rating for sailors who can assist the skipper in safe operation, including winch operation, sail trim, line handling, docking, safety, and navigation.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- All
Bluewater Skipper
Level 3Mashnee skipper rating for sailors approved to schedule trips and captain MIT Sailing bluewater sails in Boston Harbor.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Requires
- Unlocks
- Wind
- All
Team
Sailing Team
Team sailing rating for sailors cleared for Sailing Team fleet use across Tech Dinghies, FJs, 420s, Fireflies, and Lasers.
- How you get it
- n/a
- Unlocks
- n/a
- Wind
- n/a