Flag Ratings

Red Flag: Beginner

The Red Flag rating is Courageous’s entry-level skipper rating, designed to let you safely practice skills close to Courageous without an instructor aboard. A Red Flag means that you’ve learned the basics and can control the boat in light wind, but need to practice one or more skills before sailing far from Pier 4. Dock staff is available to help Red Flag skippers with docking and leaving the dock.

Yellow Flag: Intermediate

The Yellow Flag rating is our beginner/intermediate rating--perfect for exploring the Inner Harbor--and it’s held by the majority of our members. Yellow Flag skippers have mastered the fundamentals of sailing in light to moderate winds, are comfortable docking under sail, and can manage the safety of others. Yellow Flag rated skippers can sail out to a line just inside Logan Airport and Castle Island.

Green Flag: Advanced

The Green Flag rating is our intermediate/advanced rating, designed for sailors who can handle most weather conditions (and any accidents or breakdowns) safely and independently. Green Flag skippers can singlehand comfortably and navigate confidently in the vicinity of the Harbor Islands in Boston’s Outer Harbor. The Green Flag boundaries are slightly different for Rhodes 19s, J/22s, and Cruising boats.