Sailing ratings
Classes and checkoffs are the usual path to boat access. Start with the required class on each boat page, then use this page as a reference for the ratings those classes grant.
Ratings are durable permissions. Some advanced ratings require staff checkoffs or extra approval after the initial class.
| Rating | L | Description | Classes/checkoffs | Boats | Wind | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swim Rating Safety | 0 | The base rating that confirms a sailor has passed the MIT boating swim test or has certified an equivalent swimming ability. | n/a | n/a | Low | Guide |
Tech Rating Dinghy | 1 | First 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. | Low | Guide | ||
Provisional Rating Dinghy | 1 | Staff checkoff for safe Charles River sailing: basic maneuvers, rigging and unrigging, safety precautions, right-of-way rules, and care of the Tech dinghy. | n/a | Medium | Guide | |
Crew Rating Seamanship | 2 | General seamanship rating for nautical knowledge, terminology, knots, splices, and the material covered in the MIT Sailing booklet. | n/a | n/a | Guide | |
Helmsman Rating Dinghy | 3 | Strong-wind solo Tech dinghy rating for sailors who can sail upwind with good hiking technique, gybe downwind, and demonstrate man-overboard recovery. | Strong | Guide | ||
Lynx Catboat Rating Catboat | 2 | Clears sailors for Lynx Catboats in medium to strong winds and for moonlight sailing. Additional experience is needed to lead harbor trips. | Medium-strong | Guide | ||
Laser: Basic Racing | 3 | Basic Laser rating for sailors who can rig the boat, handle capsize-prone single-handed sailing, and use Laser sail controls safely. | Strong | Guide | ||
Laser: Advanced Racing | 3 | Advanced Laser rating for strong single-handed sailors ready for higher-performance Laser use and advanced fleet access. | n/a | n/a | Strong | Guide |
Firefly: Basic Racing | 3 | Basic Firefly rating for the Pavilion fleet of Firefly dinghies in medium to strong wind conditions. | n/a | n/a | Medium-strong | Guide |
Firefly: Advanced Racing | 3 | Advanced Firefly rating for sailors who have demonstrated higher proficiency in Firefly dinghies. | n/a | n/a | Medium-strong | Guide |
420: Basic Racing | 3 | Basic 420 rating for medium to strong wind sailing in Club 420s. | Medium-strong | Guide | ||
420: Advanced Racing | 3 | Advanced 420 rating for sailors ready for high-performance double-handed racing boats, including Melges 15 access. | n/a | Medium-strong | Guide | |
Moth: Basic Foiling | 3 | Basic Moth rating for advanced sailors. Moth ratings are assigned only by the Dock Master. | n/a | n/a | Medium-strong | Guide |
Moth: Advanced Foiling | 3 | Advanced Moth rating for sailors approved by the Dock Master for the Pavilion Moth. | n/a | n/a | Medium-strong | Guide |
Board Sailing Class Windsurfing | 2 | Introductory board sailing rating earned from the windsurfing class. Sailors know basic rigging and elementary windsurfing and should check in with dock staff. | Medium-strong | Guide | ||
Board Sailing: Basic Windsurfing | 2 | Board sailing rating for sailors who can rig beginner equipment, tack, and sail upwind in light to medium wind below 15 knots. | n/a | Medium | Guide | |
Board Sailing: Advanced Windsurfing | 3 | Advanced board sailing rating for shaped sails, harness use, tacking, jibing, upwind sailing, and strong wind over 15 knots. | n/a | Medium-strong | Guide | |
Bluewater Crew Bluewater | 2 | Mashnee leadership rating for sailors who can assist the skipper in safe operation, including winch operation, sail trim, line handling, docking, safety, and navigation. | n/a | All | Guide | |
Bluewater Skipper Bluewater | 3 | Mashnee skipper rating for sailors approved to schedule trips and captain MIT Sailing bluewater sails in Boston Harbor. | n/a | All | Guide | |
Sailing Team Team | n/a | Team sailing rating for sailors cleared for Sailing Team fleet use across Tech Dinghies, FJs, 420s, Fireflies, and Lasers. | n/a | n/a | n/a | Guide |