Branch Pond Association ~ Sailing

Updated: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:41 AM

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Sailing

Branch Pond
SAIL BOAT RACING

By Paul Wight

The BPA sponsors a series of seven sailboat races each season and is available to everyone on the lake interested in sailing.

RULES. The official racing rules of the United States Yacht Racing Union shall govern except as modified by these instructions.

RACING SCHEDULE. The racing schedule will be made available through the BPA news letter.

STARTING PROCEDURE. The Race Committee Boat will be located on the starting line thirty minutes prior to starting time and will be flying and orange flag. All starts will be to the windward. Starting time is 2:30 PM. Starting may be delayed at the option of the race committee. Each participant should report to the Committee Boat and receive acknowledgment fifteen minutes before starting time.

STARTING SIGNALS:
    3 horn blasts 10 minutes to start.
    2 horn blasts 5 minutes to start.
    Gun blast - Start.

SAFETY. Safety is the responsibility of the skipper of each yacht. A potential thunder storm will cause a race to be delayed or canceled. Captains will be notified of such decisions prior to the race whenever possible.

HANDICAPPING. The Portsmouth handicapping system will be used and each participant will be provided the handicap numbers for his or her yacht.

SCORING. The final standings in any series will be based on the yacht's best three scores of the season.

USRYRU'S RACING RULES IN BRIEF

PORT-STARBOARD. When yachts are on opposite tacks (booms are on different sides), port tack yachts (yachts with booms on the starboard side) keeps clear.

WINDWARD-LEEWARD. When yachts are on the same tack (booms on the same sides), the windward yacht keeps clear, or the yacht astern keeps clear.

CHANGING TACK. When you are tacking or jibing, keep clear of other yachts. After you tack or jibe and you suddenly get the right-of- way, give the other yacht room and time to keep clear.

LUFFING BEFORE STARTING. Before you start you may luff a yacht to windward, but you must do it slowly.

BARGING. At the start, don't "barge". That means don't try to squeeze between a yacht close to leeward of you and a starting line mark (which probably is a committee boat).

OVER EARLY. If you are over the line early at the start, keep clear of all yachts that started properly as you return to restart.

BUOY ROOM. When you are two boat lengths from a turning mark, an obstruction, or a finish mark (which may be the committee boat), give room to all yachts that have an inside overlap on you.

LUFFING AFTER STARTING. When another boat tries to pass you to windward, you may luff until her skipper hails "Mast Abeam" (means her skipper is even with or ahead of your mast). Then you must stop luffing and bear off to your proper course.

TOUCHING A MARK. If you touch a mark, you may continue racing only after completely circling the mark. While thus circling a mark, keep clear of other yachts.

AVOIDING COLLISIONS. Even when you have the right-of-way it is your duty to avoid collisions.