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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Small Boat Sailing
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Small Boat Sailing teaches you to harness the wind to steer small sailboats through open water. Passing the BSA swimmer test is mandatory. Requirements 4 through 6 cover rigging, points of sail, tacking, jibing, righting a capsized hull, and docking under sail without assistance.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Sailboat Rigging, Knots & Safety Gear
- Points of Sail: Tacking, Jibing & Trimming
- Righting a Capsized Sailboat & Self-Rescue
- Navigation Rules of the Road & Docking
7Printable Pages
9Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Small Boat Sailing Requirements
Every requirement for the Small Boat Sailing merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Hazards, First Aid, and Safety Afloat
Do the following:
- a Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in small-boat sailing activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
- b Review prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that can occur while sailing: blisters, cold-water shock and hypothermia, dehydration, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, sprains, and strains.
- c Discuss the Scouting America Safety Afloat policy. Tell how it applies to small-boat sailing activities.
2Swimmer Test
Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the Scouting America swimmer test. Note: See the Swimming merit badge pamphlet for details about the Scouting America swimmer test.
3Parts of Your Boat
Describe the boat you will be using for the sailing requirement, naming all of the major parts and the function of those parts. Note: The skills may be demonstrated on any boat available to the Scout; sailboards are not acceptable. While no specific sail plan is recommended, it is suggested that the craft be smaller than 20 feet. The boat must be capsizable and have the capability of sailing to windward.
4Before Going Afloat
Before going afloat, do the following:
- a Discuss the nine points of the Scouting America Safety Afloat plan.
- b Explain the rules of the road in general and any specific rules or laws that apply to your area or state.
- c Explain how water conditions, the hazards of weather, and heavy winds can affect both safety and performance in sailing.
- d Discuss the warning signs of inclement weather and what to do should heavy winds develop or a storm approach.
- e Prepare a typical float plan.
- f Discuss the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear required for small-boat sailing in warm weather and in cool weather. Explain how choosing the proper clothing, footwear, and personal gear will help keep you comfortable and safe while sailing.
5Wind Direction and Indicators
Discuss with your counselor how to identify the wind direction and wind indicators. Explain the importance of this task before setting sail.
6Safety and First Aid
Following the Scouting America Safety Afloat plan, show that you and a buddy can sail a boat properly. Do the following:
- a Prepare a boat for sailing, including a safety inspection.
- b Get underway from a dock, mooring, or beach.
- c Properly set sails for a round-trip course approved by your counselor that will include running, beating, and reaching—the basic points of sail. While sailing, demonstrate good helmsmanship skills.
- d Change direction by tacking; change direction by jibing.
- e Demonstrate getting out of irons.
- f Demonstrate the safety position.
- g Demonstrate capsize procedures and the rescue of a person overboard. Note: Capsize procedures should be conducted under the close supervision of the counselor. A rescue boat should be standing by to assist, if necessary, and to tow the capsized craft to shore. Self-bailing boats are acceptable for this requirement. Extreme care should be taken to avoid personal injury and damage to the boat or equipment.
- h Demonstrate the procedure to take after running aground.
- i Accept a single line or side tow and maneuver the craft being towed safely for 20 boat lengths.
- j Upon returning to the dock, mooring, or beach, properly secure all equipment, furl or stow sails, and prepare the craft for unattended docking or beaching overnight or longer.
7Marlinespike Seamanship
Demonstrate a working knowledge of marlinespike seamanship. Do the following:
- a Show how to tie a square (reef) knot, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, cleat hitch, and figure-eight knot. Demonstrate the use of each.
- b Show how to heave a line, coil a line, and fake down a line.
- c Discuss the kinds of lines used on sailboats and the types of fibers used in their manufacture. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
8Caring for a Sailboat
Describe how you would care for and maintain a sailboat and its gear throughout the year.
9Sailing Terms and Points of Sail
With your counselor, review sailing terminology and the points of sail. Discuss various types of sailboats in use today and explain their differences.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Small Boat Sailing requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/small-boat-sailing/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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