HUNTS SAILING CLUB SAILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLUB RACING 2007/8

1. Race Officers and Assistance Boat Operators will be nominated by the Sailing Secretary. Names and dates will be published in newsletters and shown on the calendar in the club house. Any person unable to carry out their duty will be responsible for arranging a replacement.

2. Rules. Races organised by Hunts Sailing Club will be sailed under "The Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008".

3. Starting Times. As shown in the programme or as posted in the club house (latter takes precedence). The start sequence interval (rule 26) will be 3 minutes. For class racing the fleets will be started in the following order: Phantom, Laser, Enterprise, Handicap. Please note : The published start time is the last starting signal i.e the 6 minute start sequence can begin 6 minutes before the published start time. Fleet starts may be amalgamated at the discretion of the Race Officer.

4. Penalties. The Two Turns Penalty will apply for boats breaking the rules of Part 2 (rule 44). The one turn penalty will apply for boats that touch a mark (rule 31). Competitors should make themselves familiar with the above rules.

5. Courses. The course to be sailed, the number of laps and Start and Finishing lines will be indicated on the course board. When the outer limit marked '0' is included in the course, boats shall pass between the outer limit and inner limit on each lap and when finishing. The course will also be displayed when possible on the race box.

6. The Starting Line. Will be a virtual line drawn from either the Race Box flag pole or Committee Boat to an outer limit buoy. When an inner distance mark is used, boats approaching the line to start, shall pass between this mark and the outer distance mark. Failure to do so will mean the boat has not started.

7. Recalls.
a) If one or more identifiable boats are over the line at the start, a second sound signal will be made and the 'X' flag will be flown until all offenders have returned and restarted correctly or for two minutes, whichever is the shorter.

b) If a number of boats are over the line at the start and cannot be identified, the General Recall flag will be hoisted with two sound signals. The start recalled will star after the last programmed start. Any additional recalls will start in sequence. The timing of such starts will be in accordance with Instruction 3.

8. Shortening Course. The signal will be made when the leading boat of the class to be shortened is about to round the last mark (which may be any mark of the course). The finishing line will then be designated by the Committee Boat mast and the next mark of the course, or as detailed by the Race Officer. The signal will be the raising of the flag ‘S’ together with the flags of the classes to be shortened. If all the classes are to be shortened at the same time, flag'S' alone will be hoisted. Two sound signals will draw attention to the flag.

9. Finishing. A sound signal will indicate that a boat has finished. In handicap races, average lap times may be used at the discretion of the Race Officer.

10. Time limit. In the event of no boat completing one lap of the course in one hour, the race will be abandoned. Any boat not finishing within 30 minutes of the leading boat will, except in handicap racing, be deemed to have retired.

11. Declaration. Helmsmen will enter their names prior to the start on the form provided. All finishers will be assumed to have complied with the rules unless they inform the Race Officer that they wish to retire or protest. Any such notification should be as soon as possible after finishing.

12. Scoring System will be in accordance with Appendix A of the racing rules - low point system. The number of races required to qualify for a placing in the series is shown in the sailing programme. The basis for qualification is half plus 1 of the races held unless shown differently on the sailing programme. DNC's will be scored to make up the required number of races to qualify. At least two entries are needed to run a race. In the event of only one entry in class racing, th( boat concerned will be invited to sail in the handicap race instead, and average series points may be awarded to competitor at the sailing committee's discretion For Race Competitor's doing more than the indicated duties in voluntary club series, the additional duties will be scored with the average of the competitors qualifying pqints in that series. Any additional duties will be allocated to those who have completed the greatest number of races. The scoring system will be applied to combinations of helmsman and boat. Changes of boat or increase in rig power mid-series must be discussed with a fleet captain or the sailing secretary. Approval may be granted if no advantage is gained by the change. In the Twilight Series, a competitor's best result will count.

13. Flags. Code flag 'E'-Enterprise, '*'-Laser, 'H'-Handicap, "NPl'-Solo, 'G'-All Comers, 'Z'-Sailboard, 'ghosf-Phantom, 'N'-Abandon, 'AP-Postponement,' 1st Sub'-General Recall, 'P'-Preparatory, 'S'-Shorten Course, T-I Flag Rule and 'X' - premature starters. (Note: '*' = Laser logo on red square flag; 'ghost' = Phantom logo on white square flag).

14. Protests. Must be made to the Race Officer within 30 minutes of the last boat finishing the race.

15. Insurance. All boats are to be covered by third party insurance to a minimum value of £1,000,000.

16. Adequate Personal Buoyancy. Must be worn by everyone at all times when on the water. The Byelaws provide detailed guidance.

17. Wet Suits or Dry Suits must be worn 1st December to 31st March and are strongly advocated during November and April.

18. Boat Buoyancy. All boats are to have adequate buoyancy in accordance with class rules. This can be ascertained from the relevant fleet captain.

19. Cruising. Is permitted at all times, except during Open Meetings when cruising will only be permitted at the discretion of the Race Officer.

20. Propulsion. A protest or race committee may, in accordance with rule 67, disqualify a boat for infringement of rule 42 without a hearing. This does not remove the right of the boat to request a hearing if required.

21. Non-Genuine Parts. It is permissible to use non-genuine boat equipment (eg. Rooster Laser Sails) for general club racing as long as no advantage is gained and the pattern part is a replacement of the equipment. To be allowed at the sailing committee's discretion if any doubt arises.

JC12/06