SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

2005 INTER-CLUB RACE SERIES

Aeolian YC, Alameda YC, Ballena Bay YC, Encinal YC, Island YC, Oakland YC, Treasure Island C, BAMA, Catalina 34

 

1.   Rules: This series is governed by the 2005-08 Racing Rules, the prescriptions of USSA, the Standing HDA Sailing Instructions of the San Francisco YRA, and these Sailing Instructions. Changes to these Instructions may be made prior to the start of any race. Committee will make every effort to give ample notification of changes, but as a last resort, participants shall be alert for Code Flag "L" flown from the Committee Boat. Permanent changes shall be posted at the participating clubs, and shall remain in effect for the remainder of the series without additional notice on each succeeding race day.
2.   Responsibility: The member clubs and organizers accept no responsibility for the safety or well being of the yachts and participants before, during, or after participating in these races. It is the sole responsibility of each skipper to decide whether to start or continue a race.
3.   Management: The series is under the management of Joint Race Committee ("the Committee") comprised of representatives from each participating club. Each club will host one or more races, and as such will provide the Principal Race Officer (PRO) for the hosted race. The Committee shall have the sole power to establish and interpret rules governing the series, and to determine eligibility
4   Eligibility: The series is open to keel ballasted monohull and multihull yachts with minimum LOA of 20 feet, and belonging to or chartered by members of the participating clubs and organizations. Those wishing to enter may do so by completing the Race Application and submitting it to the representative designated by his club or organization.
5   Interference with Commercial Traffic and Non-Competing Yachts: Yachts must not interfere with commercial vessels, government vessels, or non-competing yachts. Inland Rules of the Road govern meetings with such vessels. Additionally, skippers are responsible to acquaint themselves with newly developed anti-terrorism security precautions that may prescribe standoff limits on ships and certain waters. Vessels violating this provision are subject to disqualification.
6   Ratings: Each competitor must furnish a Northern California PHRF certificate, or other evidence that will provide a basis for the Committee to assign a handicap rating. YRA certificates for mono-hulls and current BAMA certificates for multi-hulls fulfill this requirement. Yachts must race with all equipment (doors, cushions, anchor, etc.) required by Northern California PHRF standards.
7   Handicap System: Races will be handicapped according to the PHRF Time-on-Distance system. Division assignments will be determined by the Committee prior to the first race.
8   Sails: Non-spinnaker classes may fly a single sail for each mast, and a single foresail, which shall be attached to the boat in the manner of a jib. Boats using other sails (including, but not limited to spinnakers, gennakers, screechers, etc.) shall be assigned to a spinnaker fleet. Mainsail numbers as shown on the entry are required. The number on the foresail and spinnaker, if any, must be the same as the mainsail unless the RC is notified before the race.
9   Race Dates, Start Times, Courses, and Mark Descriptions: Shall be published separately and considered a part of these Sailing Instructions.
10   On-the-Water Communications and Check-in: All yachts must sail within hail of the Committee Boat to check in. Check-in by radio will not be accepted or acknowledged. Committee will monitor Channel 69 (Races 1-2) or Channel 71 (Races 3-6) for withdrawals & emergencies, & to broadcast instructions relevant to the race.
11   Minimum Equipment: All yachts are reminded that they must comply with the US Coast Guard equipment requirements for a recreational vessel.
12   Limiting Buoy: A buoy may be set to protect the Committee Boat. The triangle formed by the bow and stern of the Committee Boat and the limiting buoy is a restricted area into which no boat may sail. Any yacht hitting the Committee Boat shall be protested and is subject to disqualification without privilege of exoneration under Rule 31.2
13   STARTING TIMES AND SIGNALS: Races will be started using the following signals. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded

 

Signal Flags & Course Signals Sound Minutes Beflore Start
Warning Raise Class Raise Course 1 gun 5
Preparatory Raise P, I   1 Gun 4
One Minute Drop P, I Drop Course 1 horn 1 Note that the Course Signal may not be dropped if the next class uses the same course.
Start Drop Class   1 gun 0

 

14   Restricted Areas: Restricted areas are as shown in the Standing Sailing Instructions of the YRA, which are available in the YRA Master Schedule. Violators are subject to protest
15   Restricted Start/Finish Line: Any yacht whose Preparatory signal has not been made must keep clear of those yachts whose Preparatory signal has been made. Yachts shall not cross the start/finish line unless their Preparatory signal has been made and they are preparing to start, starting, or finishing.
16   Postponement: Code Flag "AP" (Answering Pennant) and two sound signals shall be made from the Committee Boat to signify a postponement. The postponement ends with the lowering of "AP" and one sound followed in one minute by the display of a warning signal and sound. (Supplements rule 27.3)
17   Individual and General Recalls
   
17.1 Individual Recalls: Code Flag "X" accompanied by one sound signal. The Committee may hail by calling by bullhorn and/or radio (Channel 69 (Central Bay races 1-2) or 71 (Long Distance & South Bay races 4-6) ).
   
17.2 General Recalls: "First Substitute" flag with two sounds. If the warning flag for next class has already been raised, that start will be postponed. One minute after the recall flag is lowered; the starting sequence for the recalled fleet will begin. Another recall will move the offending fleet start to the last start of the day. (This changes rule 29.2).
18   Shortened Course: The Committee Boat or a Stake Boat shall post itself in the vicinity of a mark of the course and will display Code Flag "S" to indicate a shortened course. The shortened finish line shall be between the posted boat and nearest mark of the course.
19   Abandonment: An abandoned race is declared by Code Flag "N" accompanied by three sound signals. A radio announcement may be made from the Committee boat.
20   Time Limit: The time limit shall be 1700 hrs. Any yacht not finishing within the time limit shall be scored "DNF". This modifies Rule 35 Time Limit and Scores.
21   Scoring: The low point scoring system RRS A4 is modified as follows: points assigned to (OCS, DNF or RAF = boats starting + 1; (DNC or DNS) = boats starting + 2; A boat disqualified (DNE or DSQ) = boats starting + 3. A DSQ for safety violation may be changed to DNE (modifies 88.3b). Ties are broken in accordance with RRS A7 and A8.
22   Throw Outs: A yacht's worst finish (except "DNE") shall be thrown out when determining the final series standings.
23   Protests: Protests shall be filed in accordance with RRS Part 5. Protests must be delivered to a Committee Representative by Monday following the race or mailed to the Inter-Club RC, c/o Oakland Yacht Club, 1101 Pacific Marina, Alameda 94501-1157. Mailed protests must be postmarked no later than Monday following the race. At the Committee's choice, a mediator designated by the host club of that race may hear the protest. One person will represent each party at the mediation. No witnesses may be called. At the conclusion of the mediation hearing, the protest may be withdrawn or one or both parties may withdraw from the race and scored RAF. If the protest is not resolved by mediation, a formal protest hearing will be scheduled on or before the 2nd Thursday following the race.
24   Race Results: Race results will be e-mailed or faxed by the designated scorer to each participating club immediately after the race. Results will also be posted at Oakland YC and on their website at www.oaklandyachtclub.com.
25   Trophies: Trophies will be presented at a date and location to be designated prior to the end of the series.
26   Withdrawals/Retiring: A yacht retiring prior to the finish must notify the Committee on Channel 69 (Races 1-2) or Channel 71 (Race 3-6, Long Distance, South Bay), or by coming within hail of the Race Committee boat. Failure to do so may result in a protest by the Committee. If upheld, the offending yacht may be scored DSQ.
     

 

Attachments:

Appendix A Mark Descriptions and Race Date/Times

Appendix B North Bay, South Bay & Long Distance Courses

 

Revision 03/10/05