Sailing Instructions
Competitors should note that Spinnaker Club has implemented the RYA Racing Charter and that when entering, competitors will be required to undertake to sail in compliance with the charter.
Of particular note are;
SI 7.2 which allows the PRO to hoist a blue flag and make a sound signal 10 mins before the warning signal. This is to "wake up" our sailors that the race committee are about to start racing. The time ties in with SI 9 that states that the course must be put up at least 10 mins before the warning signal. The signal will also be useful for back to back races.
I suggest that the blue flag is dropped as the warning signal is made.
SI 11.1 which puts each signal at 1 min intervals -
SI 16.1 requires intention to protest to be notified immediately after finishing. The place to notify could be (by a notice on the official notice board) a boat stationed up wind of the finish line. This is to try and avoid "shore side" promoted protests (ie Oppy parents!!!!)
SI 17.1 invokes the scoring system in the rules. Note that boats that start but do not finish will score 1 point more than the series entry not as before which was the race entry. This is an effort to avoid as many "local" variations as possible.
Note that the new rules have some interesting new variations
1. No protests flags are need at the lake for fleet racing
2. I Z or black flags if to be used have to be displayed at or before the P flag. However now they can stay up at the 1 min signal as the P flag is dropped. I recommend that we all follow this practice.
3. The time for the start given in the programme is the time for the warning signal
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Spinnaker Club Sailing Instructions 2005 version 1
1 Rules
1.1 The event will be governed by the ‘rules’ as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).
1.2 Competitors should note that Spinnaker Club has implemented the RYA Racing Charter and that when entering, competitors shall sail in compliance with the charter.
1.3 Rule 69 (Gross Misconduct) will be enforced rigorously where it is deemed to be appropriate
2 Entries
2.1 Entries for an event are made and results are awarded in the name of the helm, or joint helms as provided in these sailing instructions – not in the name of the boat. This changes rule 75.1 and Appendix A. Helms will specify the boat in which they will compete by its sail number and class. A helm may change sail number or boat of the same class and the results thereafter included for that helm in the event by notifying the race office in writing. The signing off sheet has provision for this notification.
2.2 The entry to an event can be made in the names of two joint helms and this entry shall be the only entry that these helms shall make for the event.
2.3 Entries will be made on the appropriate entry form with all sections completed when so required by the Race Committee.
2.4 The safety of a boat and her entire management including insurance to the minimum level recommended by the RYA shall be the sole responsibility of the owner / person in charge who must ensure that the boat and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise in the course of the race. Neither these sailing instructions nor the inspection of the boat limits or reduces the absolute responsibility of the owner / person in charge for the crew, the boat and her management. The race organisers shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner / person in charge or crew, as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover, every person / owner in charge warrants the suitability of the boat for the race or races.
3 Personal Buoyancy and Clothing
3.1 An adequate buoyancy aid or lifejacket must be worn at all times whilst afloat. A wet suit and dry suit is not adequate buoyancy. This sailing instruction replaces rule 40.
3.2 A wet suit or dry suit must be worn between 1st November and the 31st March whilst afloat.
4 Notices to Competitors
Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in the Clubhouse.
5 Changes to Sailing Instructions
Changes to Sailing Instructions will be posted not later than 30 minutes before the warning signal of the race to which the change applies.
6 Signals made ashore
6.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed at the race hut to the north-
6.2 When a committee boat start is to be used, the warning signal for the next race will be made not less than ten minutes after AP is lowered at the shore signal position.
7 Schedule of Races
7.1 The schedule of races and the scheduled time of the warning signal will be displayed on the official notice board not less than 7 days before the scheduled day for the race.
7.2 A blue flag may be displayed with a sound signal at the start line ten minutes before a warning signal is displayed. This is in addition to the Racing Signals in the rules.
8 Class Flags
Optimist Flag O Topper Flag T Mirror Flag M
Firefly Flag F Solo Numeral 1 National 12 Numeral 2
Laser Numeral 3 Handicap Numeral Pennant 4
9 The Course
The course will be displayed on the official notice board not less than 10 minutes before the warning signal.
10 Marks
10.1 The lake has a number of fixed marks that are spherical buoys identified with alpha numeric characters as shown on the map of the lake. There are additional pole buoys that are moveable that will be identified with coloured flags with numbers when used as marks of the course.
10.2 All marks of the course are rounding marks unless otherwise stated.
10.3 The islands are not marks of the course.
10.3 The outer distance mark at the start will be a pole buoy marked with a flag and if a separate finish line is used this will be marked using pole buoy(s) with flag(s).
11 The Start
11.1 Races will be started by using rule 26 as amended in these sailing instructions with the warning signal given 3 minutes before the starting signal. The preparatory signal will be given 2 minutes before the starting signal. This changes rule 26.
11.2.1 When starts are from the race hut, the starting line will be a transit formed by the tallest signal mast in front of the race hut and the upper apex of the triangle in front of the signal mast. An outer distance mark marked with a red flag will be used.
11.2.2 When committee boat starts are used, the starting line is between the committee boat mast and the outer distance mark. The outer distance mark will be marked with a blue flag.
11.3 Boats whose warning signal has not been made shall avoid the starting area.
11.4 A boat starting later than 6 minutes after her starting signal will be scored DNC.
12 Change of Course after the Start
12.1 Marks may be moved at any time after the start to maintain the courses configuration with respect to the wind.
13 The Finish
13.1 When the finish is at the race hut the finish line will be between the tallest signal mast in front of the race hut and a pole buoy marked with a red flag.
13.2 When the finish is at a committee boat the finish line will be between a pole on the committee boat and a pole buoy marked with a red flat.
14 Time Limits
The race officer will shorten the race so that the duration is approximately the length specified in the Club Year Book or the Notice of Race or as advised on the Official Notice Board. The time limit for the race shall be 30 minutes after the shorten course signal is made.
15 Declarations
When required by the race committee, all competitors shall complete the signing off sheet within 10 minutes after the time of the last boat’s finish in each race. If “back to back” racing takes place then signing off shall be done after the last race sailed in this way and within 10 minutes after the time of the last boat’s finish.
16 Protests
16.1 The RYA rules dispute advisory and/or mediation hearing procedure is available at Spinnaker Club events.
16.2 Protest forms are available at the race hut. Protests shall be delivered to the race hut within the protest time limit.
16.3 The protest time limit is 15 minutes after the last boat has finished the last race of the day. The same protest time limit applies to all protests by the race committee and protest committee about incidents they observe in the racing area and to requests for redress. This changes changes rules 61.3 and 62.2.
16.4 Rule 66 is changed by changing “24 hours” to “15 minutes”.
18 Scoring
18.1 The number of races scheduled will be those shown in the programme of races displayed on the official notice board at least 7 days before the first race of the series.
18.2 Series scoring shall be as follows and this changes the rules appendix A2:
Format
Number of Races Completed Series Score
1 or 2 day regatta Less than 3 Total of race scores
1 or 2 day regatta 3 to 5 races completed Total of race scores excluding her worst score
1 or 2 day regatta More than 5 races completed Total of race scores excluding her two worst score
Series over more than 2 days More than 5 races completed otherwise consider as a 2 day regatta Total of her race scores excluding worst scores from the number of races equal to half those completed plus one. Fractions shall be rounded down.
19 Support Boats
No support boats are allowed on the lake without express permission of the Race Committee.