Class Captain's Guidance to the Race Officer

? Spectators

? The racing is both a participant and a spectator sport. The Class requests that racing, unless shortened for lack of wind, should wherever possible finish on or near the Club Line.

? For the same reason, each lap of the course should include (depth permitting) a buoy in the vicinity of the Club Line/Old O/Bertie/Gordon (if available), so that spectators can see the progress of their competitor during the race.

? A moveable mark in the same general area is equally good. This can be anywhere outside or west of the westward most dinghy moorings or outside the main keelboat mooring area as far as the eastward most Mermaid moorings.

? Latecomers

As a general rule it is better to start at the published time without a couple of late arrivers. However, it is less desirable to start without a large number of latecomers. A postponement of the start, because of strong foul tides on the way to a committee boat, or light winds, is acceptable and even necessary.

? Reducing Collisions

? Downwind starts are to be avoided wherever possible. A first mark to port and downwind can be dangerous if groups of boats arrive together to gybe round it.

? If possible, try first to set a port-handed course with a spreader mark, particularly for the first windward mark. This tends to reduce serious collisions.

? If more than 20 Dinghies are being sent east to Bruce or Pierhead direction as the first mark on a southerly breeze, consider inserting Lollipop as the next mark before the usual Bunny, so as to avoid/delay the gybe and sharp turn at Pierhead. This need only apply on the first round. Pierhead to starboard then Bruce to port or starboard is an alternative.

? Avoid sending Dinghies rounding the windward mark onto a run through the upcoming fleet on the first round, but also avoid long reaches except in heavy winds. Consider using a moveable mark as a ?spreader' wherever possible, especially when using Gordon as the first mark.

? Rules observance

? The use of lifejackets and the compliance with the rules is mandatory. Where rescue or other resources are available at the end of a race, and particularly at weekends, a race official/rescue crew should ask to see one or two key items from this list. It is not necessary to ask every boat, but as many as possible.

? Lifejacket/buoyancy aid worn by each person

? Three buoyancy bags in place and inflated

? A bucket; two oars; rowlocks

? An anchor and a decent length of rope (minimum 10 metres)

? A separate towing line/painter (6 metres minimum)

Any dinghy failing to comply should be reported to the deck and Class Captain and its race result marked ?P' for protest by the Class Committee. Normally the offending Dinghy will be permitted until 5.00 pm the next day to comply with the Rule, but for lifejackets the result will always mean disqualification. A target of three checks per season is suggested. Please examine the majority of those finishing the race.

? Start Lines

? July and September racing mainly will be from the Club Line, or from a Committee Boat line at the Race Officer's discretion, based on likely entries and available resources.

? When there are likely to be more than 25 starters the Class recommends a Committee Boat or line 3 start. However, for the Heavy Weather Cup the Class prefers a Club Line. In strong winds of force five or more set shorter rounds (but more of them) to keep the fleet inshore and more manageable for rescue boats.

? For committee boat starts, generally do not set the Start Line until 15 minutes before the start, or if set, keep the rescue boat near it so as to move the distance mark/pin without delays. Usually aim for a slight bias away from the Committee Boat.

? A ?one minute' rule (round the ends) is requested for all August Committee Boat starts.

? At times of strong foul tide and light winds, the use of flag E is requested to allow inshore starts. It is helpful if the flag is flying early in these conditions.

? In the event of a shifting wind please go into a start sequence on the best Line that can be set, and go for a postponement if it shifts badly again, rather than not setting a Line and just waiting. Consider keeping the pin end buoy attached to the rescue boat in roughly the right position, and adjust it finally and drop it one minute before the 5 minute warning signal.

? After a general recall on a fair line, (not when the line was spoiled/very biased by a late shift), it is recommended that all subsequent starts are ?black flag'.

? Length of race

? There are three categories of race.

A - August Weekend races - (Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings).

B - August Weekday races and July or September weekend races.

C - Ot her weekday races.

The target time for the first boat to finish in the vicinity of the Club Line is broadly, (plus or minus 10 minutes)

A - 90 Mins

B - 70 Mins

C - 60 Mins

As a very general indication in good wind this will involve courses from a Committee Boat as follows

A - Three windward legs equivalent to Bunny to Bertie.

B - Two such legs (but set three).

C - One such leg and a shorter second round (but set the latter to be sailed twice).

It is preferable to set extra rounds and then shorten the race, than to finish in under 45 minutes due to a wind increase or favourable tide. At weekends three full beats must be set.

A course change at any mark setting the Club line as the next and final mark is suggested as an alternative to shortening at some mark further out.

? Other

? Please note the SVYC 2003 Standing Sailing Instruction 12.1 dealing with the definition of the finishing line after a Committee Boat Start is to be properly observed to avoid confusion. Where a White L on a black board is displayed as the finish mark, the finishing line is the Club Finishing Line. If using the Committee Boat to record finishers, it is necessary to position yourself just outside Line Buoy on the transit from the Club flagstaff. If you wish to finish Dinghies between the Committee Boat and a buoy, either use a different buoy as part of the course (for example - 3) or show L on a red or green background. It is desirable that the Committee Boat does not block the view from the shore for close finishes.