Before kids can sign up for advanced classes, they must demonstrate the ability to competently sail a Cape Cod Mercury to a high standard. The Mercury Red rating represents this ability. Juniors who pass an on-the-water test in Red Flag (heavy) wind or whose instructor determines they qualify within a class session can receive this rating.

With that said, often heavy wind days are hard to come during the time of our Junior Program. For that reason, the Mercury Yellow Plus rating exists. If in Yellow Flag (moderate) wind, a Junior completes the necessary skills for a Red Rating in a testing or class environment, they may receive the Yellow Plus rating.

Effectively, this rating is almost entirely equal to the Mercury Red rating, and allows Juniors to sign up for advanced classes. It does not, however, entitle Juniors to sign out a Mercury on a Red-Flag-wind day. In that instance, they can simply ask the dockhouse to take their Mercury Red test. If they pass, they can stay out on the water.