Start Line Etiquette – part 2

This is an addendum to the previous Start Line Etiquette post based upon feedback about a recent race.

Outboard Motor Rules

When does an outboard need to be Vertical?

Our SI’s have a rule about them (11.5):

“Boats with transom mounted engines shall have their engine stowed aboard or left mounted with the shaft in the vertical position from the preparatory signal until after that boat starts the race.”

Your Prepatory signal is the blue/white flag which is raised one minute after your division pennant.

The definition of START in the US Sailing RRS (roughly speaking) is the point when your boat crosses the start line and is clear of any start line penalties.  If you were OCS (over early), you cannot raise your motor until you re-cross the start line.

In simple terms:  Keep your outboard stowed or left in vertical position during your sequence until after you cross the start line without penalties.

When can you use your outboard motor?

Per RRS 42.1 and the preface to Part 4, you cannot use your motor WHILE RACING.

What is RACING?  Per the definition (roughly speaking), you are racing from your Prepatory signal until you finish and clear the finish line.

Start Line Etiquette

The St. Croix Sailing Club has a busy starting area. With 2, 3, or more starts, and over 25 boats in many races, the start line can be a confusing time. Here are some tips to keep your boat in good standing with your fellow racers, the RRS,  and the Race Committee.

What is the Starting Area?

It is the area between and around the Committee Boat and the nearby mark (orange buoy to port).  Any boat currently in sequence defines this area, and all other boats MUST keep clear!

The R/C regularly notes that boats not currently racing interfere with boats currently in sequence and racing.  (see RRS definition of “racing”)  If you are affected by this, speak up – to the offending boats and to your R/C.  Protest if required.

GPS Programming

Program your GPS devices ONLY when your division flag is flying.  The R/C is permitted to reset her position between start sequences.  The Orange flag may or may not be dropped during these changes.  (see Orange Flag below)

The R/C recognizes that our shortened 4-minute sequence may contribute to crowding on the start line.  SCSC may return to the standard RRS 26 sequence in 2018 to alleviate congestion at the start line.

Watch the Flags – Is your Division flag flying?

If the flag for your division isn’t flying, then stay away from the starting area.  This is for several reasons:

• The Committee Boat may be moving
• Other boats may be starting
• Aliens may be attacking, or a million other reasons…

Interfering with other boats currently in sequence carries harsh penalties!  Please stay away or pay very close attention to other boats around you.

If your start is upcoming, simply pay attention to the flags on the Committee Boat.  They are huge and visible from quite a distance.  You’re welcome to venture close, but pay attention to other boats currently in sequence.

Prior to every sequence, the R/C hails via VHF 72 and sounds 5 horns prior to the start of each sequence.

What is the Orange Start Line Flag?

The staff holding the orange/red flag on the Committee Boat denotes the starboard end of the start line.  Anyone above the line drawn between that staff (per SI’s) and the course side of the port mark shall be called OCS (over early).

The Orange Flag has no bearing on the Committee Boat’s status – she could be setting anchor and drifting or resetting due to a drifting anchor.  Or she could be parked and waiting for late boats to approach the line.

Traditional courtesy states that the Orange Flag flies when the Committee Boat is on station at the starboard end of the start line.  While the Race Committee will continue to honor this courtesy to the best of their ability, it’s important to note that this cannot always be done!

That massive Orange/Red bedsheet has a story behind it…  Ask KT sometime.

The Committee Boat must be on station (anchored, not drifting) no later than the Prepatory Signal (RRS 27.2).  Our R/C extends this to the Warning signal out of courtesy, but it is not required of the R/C and will not be grounds for redress.

 

How to read the Race Results

This is a question that comes up from time to time. Here are the specifics!
Race Results can be found on the Results page.

Yacht of the Year (YOY)

Yacht of the Year results are broken into two sections. The top of the page includes overall “Series” results for each division. This is your standing to date for the overall YOY trophy.

YOY races use the Low Point scoring system – the fewer points your boat has, the better! Note that discards come into play after a certain number of races throughout the year – these can change the standings dramatically and give additional boats a chance for year-end awards.

YOY – Overall

The above is an example of the overall series scoring for Division 1. It is found at the top of the Yacht of the Year results.

Sailed:  Number of races sailed to date

Discards:  Number of discarded races based on number of sailed races (see SI’s). Discarded races appear in parentheses.

Rating System: We use PHRF Time on Time for ratings.  See the Ratings and Divisions page for more details.

Entries: Number of boats registered in the division

Total: Total number of points a boat has accumulated

Nett: Number of points, excluding discards

Notes: See the Ratings and Divisions page for more details.

Note that SCSC also presents awards based on standings for each sub-series (Spring, Summer, and Fall). Those are published as needed, and typically just prior to the award ceremony.

YOY – Individual Race

The above is an example of the individual race scoring for Division 1, Spring Series race #1. It is found below Overall Scoring for Yacht of the Year results.

Start:  Which start the division participated in for this race. Typically 1, 2, or 3.

Finishes:  Means that the “Finish” column is an exact recording of the time on the R/C’s stopwatch. This time, minus the Start Time (see “Time” below) equals the Elapsed Time.

Time:  Time of the Start signal. Our R/C uses stopwatches started at an arbitrary time. Some clubs use GPS time.

Distance:  Distance of the course, typically measured to the hundredth of a mile.

Course:  The course sailed. This field usually does not denote changes of course or shortening of course.

Wind dir:  Average wind direction during the race.

Ave wind:  Average wind speed, as noticed by the R/C occasionally at the start and during the race.

PHRF TOT:  The boat’s PHRF handicap for Time-On-Time scoring. See the Ratings and Divisions page for more details.

Finish:  Finish time, as recorded on the R/C’s stopwatches. (also see “Time” above)

Elapsed:  Actual time to sail the course. “Finish” minus “Time” fields.

Corrected:  Elapsed time adjusted for the boat’s handicap via a nifty mathematical formula.

BCE:  (Back Calculated Elapsed) Shows how much time you needed to knock off your elapsed time to win.

Points:  How many points the boat gained in this race.

Notes:  See the Ratings and Divisions page for an explanation of the codes used here.  Scroll to the bottom of the page.

Beercan Races

Beercan Races are similar to Yacht of the Year races, with two major distinctions:

• Beercan Races are scored using the High Point system. In other words, the MORE points you earn, the better!
• Beercan Races do not have an overall trophy. Therefore, the top section (overall scoring) is largely irrelevant.

Other Races

SCSC holds many other types of races throughout the year. Aside from Beercan races, they are typically scored using the Low Point system (like the YOY races). See the NOR or SI’s of each event for specifics.

Welcome to Committee Boat Corner, with your Principal Race Officer, Patrick!  I will bring up topics related to US Sailing Rules noticed during races.

I will reference the US Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the US Sailing Appeals book (noted as “Appeal”) and the ISAF Case Book (noted as “Case”).  The Appeals book is available to any US Sailing member in PDF form for free, or in print for a few bucks.  The ISAF Case Book can be found here: http://www.sailing.org/documents/caseandcall/case-book.php