Seafarers Sailing Club Sailing Instructions 2008

  1. All races will be governed by the ISAF `RACING RULES OF SAILING` (2005 - 2008) and sailed and managed as defined hereafter.

  2. The RYA Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme as promulgated on the RYA's web site will be used. The details of the scheme can be found here.

  3. The programme of races is as published in the year's Sailing Programme.

  4. The Officer of the Day will decide the course(s) which will be displayed on the Course Race Board in the wet room.

  5. The start line is a transit from the triangle on the signal tower mast and the yellow arrow on the fence extending outward to the Outer Distance Mark (ODM). All competing boats will cross the line on the club side of the ODM.

  6. The finish line lies between the signal tower mast and the ODM. Finishing boats will cross the line on the club side of the ODM from the direction of the last buoy of the course.

  7. Personal buoyancy will be worn by all competitors at all times. Rule 40.1, which requires Flag `Y` to be flown if lifejackets/personal buoyancy is to be worn, shall not apply.

  8. When signing the Race Entry Form the Helm accepts that both they and their Crew have read the 'SEAFARERS SAILING CLUB - NOTICE OF RACE 2008'.

  9. To enter the boat in the race, the Helm must sign the Entry Form for that race. When signing, the Helm agrees to be bound by the ISAF 'Racing Rules of Sailing' and by all other rules that govern that event.

  10. On completion the Helm must again sign the Entry Form, indicating whether he/she completed the course, retired or is making a protest.

  11. A minimum of three starting boats per fleet is required for a valid race. (Note: Ladies, Novices and Cadets counts as one race)

  12. Start as Rule 26 using flag P for the preparatory flag, not I, Z or a black flag. (Inter alia, Rule 26 concerns 5,4,1,0 minute sequence for starting).

  13. The OOD may, at his discretion, limit the race to "experienced helms only" when weather conditions are unsuitable for inexperienced helms. If the race is limited in this way the results will not count in the overall Series results.

  14. In Club Series Races when the weather conditions change, either the wind drops or increases to a testing strength, the OOD, at his discretion, may shorten the course even though one or more boats have started another lap. The recorded time will be that taken on the last lap completed by all finishing boats. Ideally a middle of the fleet boat will sail for approximately one and a half hours.
    N.B. Not applicable to Pursuit Races.

  15. Competitors are reminded that a boat must be afloat at her Preparatory Signal - Rule 45.

  16. The Scoring System is as defined in the ISAF 'Racing Rules of Sailing' (2005-2008), Appendix A and described hereafter:

    1. Series races will be scored as stated in ISAF A4.1. The number of races to count will be as stated in the Sailing Programme, if fewer races are sailed, the following paragraph applies:

      The number of races to count shall be as follows:

      • 9 races sailed - 6 to count
      • 8 races sailed - 5 to count
      • 7 races sailed - 5 to count
      • 6 races sailed - 4 to count
      • 5 races sailed - 4 to count
      • 4 races sailed - 3 to count

      If three races or fewer are sailed they will all count.

    2. Finishing points will be awarded as laid down in ISAF A4.1 Low Points System . The following scoring system shall replace ISAF A4.2.

      A boat that did not finish or retired after finishing shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the race.

      A boat that is disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place three more than the number of boats entered in the race.

    3. When there is a tie on the total points scored, to the nearest whole number, between two or more boats, the tie shall stand irrespective of the results of any discarded races.

    4. Rule 89.3(b) shall not apply. Any race may be excluded from a boat's series score. (Rule 89.3 (b) defines the occasions when a disqualification score may not be excluded).

    5. Duties. Helms attending club duties shall be awarded, for the race missed , the average of the points gained in all other races in that series.

    6. To qualify for a "Main Series" prize a boat must have completed the necessary number of races in each of the qualifying series.

  17. Protests are covered in Part 5 of ISAF `Racing Rules of Sailing`. The time limit for a protest to be submitted to the OOD is fifteen minutes after the last boat has finished.

  18. There are two fleets. OODs will set courses where boats in the middle of each fleet can complete the course near the optimum of one and a half hours.

    Fast fleet - Boats sailing with a Portsmouth Yardstick Number (PY) of 1136 and below.

    Slow fleet - Boats sailing with a PY of 1137 and above.

  19. Boats that are not racing for a Class Championship, that have PYs between 1100 and 1136 inclusive,will compete for the Mid Fleet Trophy. An entry requires at least 3 qualifying boats to have sailed in a race. Qualifying races are the same as those required by all Class Championships.

  20. Rule 40.2 shall not apply. (This Rule refers to the type of trapeze harness required.) Crews wearing trapeze harnesses should read the risk assessment in the 'Blue Book'. The "Blue Book" is available for reference at the club. Please ask any committee member about where the book is kept.


The 2007 Sailing Instructions can be found here.