Air Capitol Model Sailing Club

  SIMPLIFIED RACING RULES FOR 2006

Based on rules adopted by the Mid-Missouri Model Sailing Club 2003 racing rules, Don Becker's "Ten Racing Rule Commandments" and Dave Perry's "Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing". Numbers in parenthesis at the end of some rules refer to ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004 rules from which each ACMSC rule is derived. In case of ambiguity the pertinent ISAF RRS rule(s) and definitions of terms will be used to resolve the uncertainty.

These rules apply when you are racing. When one boat has the right-of-way, That means that the other boat is required to keep clear, in other words stay out of the way of the right-of-way boat.

1. Avoid collisions. These racing rules are defensive (i.e., to prevent collisions), not offensive (i.e., used primarily to gain an advantage over your opponent). There are two compelling reasons for avoiding collisions: (a) damage may occur, (b) a collision and the time it takes to extricate your boat, even if you have the right of way (and do your penalty turn if you are at fault) generally ruins the whole race, for both boats involved! (Rule 14)

2. When both boats are on opposite tacks (booms on different sides), the boat on starboard tack has the right-of-way over the boat on port tack. (Rule 10)

3. When boats are on the same tack (booms on the same sides), the leeward boat has the right-of-way over the windward boat. After the starting signal, if a boat that is clear astern establishes an overlap to leeward within two lengths of another boat, the leeward boat may not sail above her proper course* while they remain overlapped. (Rules 11 and 17)

4. A boat clear astern must keep clear of a boat ahead . (Rule 12)

5. A boat that is tacking or gibing must keep clear of a boat that is not. (Rule 13)

6. A right-of-way boat changing course toward another boat must give the other boat time and room to keep clear. (Rule 16)

7. A boat that is not racing must keep clear of all boats that are racing. (Rule 20)

8. Room to tack at an obstruction : if a close-hauled boat must tack in order to avoid running aground or colliding with an obstruction, but cannot tack without fouling another boat, she may hail for room to tack, and give the hailed boat time and room to keep clear. The hailed boat shall either tack as soon as possible or immediately reply "you tack", in which case the hailed boat must keep clear. (Rule 19)

9. Room at the mark: if an overlap is present at four boat lengths from a mark or obstruction, the outside boat(s) must give inside boat(s) room to round the mark (Rule 18)

10. The start: ACMSC races use a one, two or five minute starting sequences. Racing begins, and these rules become effective, when that starting sequence begins at the Preparatory Signal, one, two or five minutes before the Starting Signal. The start-finish line is an imaginary line between the course sides (generally windward sides) of two marks. You must be completely behind this line at your starting signal. If you are not, you must turn back until your boat is entirely behind the line. While you are returning, you must stay clear of all boats that started correctly. (Rule 20)

11. The anti-barging rule: This exception to rule 9 occurs at the starting marks, where the leeward boat does not have to give windward boats that are about to cross the starting line room to pass between her and the starting mark. If a windward /inside boat tries to squeeze in between a leeward boat and a starting mark she is barging, which is illegal. (Rule 18.1a)

12. Penalty turns: If you make a right-of-way boat change course to avoid hitting you, you must take a penalty turn. Immediately (within a minute, and before rounding the next mark or crossing the finish line) get clear of other boats and then make one complete circle, including one tack and one gybe (called a 360). When you're done, resume racing. (Rules 44.1 and 44.2)

13. Protest procedures: If you have the right-of-way and another boat makes you change course to avoid hitting her, she has broken a rule. You must tell her this by protesting. Immediately state, loudly enough to be heard by the skipper of the other boat, Number ____ (your sail number) protests Number _____. If the other boat does not do her 360 and you choose to carry out the protest procedure, immediately after the finish of that hear tell the Principle Race Officer which boat you are protesting and fill out a protest form. The PRO will hold a hearing at which both skippers will have an opportunity to tell their story briefly and then make a decision.

14. Disagreement about fault: If there is contact between boats, except in drifting conditions where it was unavoidable, skippers are strongly encouraged to resolve the issue on the water, however if an agreement cannot be reached, the above protest procedures should be followed.

15. Touching a mark: there is no penalty other than the loss of speed from doing so.

16. Launching: A bout may not be launched or re-launched between her Preparatory Signal and her Starting Signal.

17. Outside help: A boat that goes aground or becomes entangled with another boat while racing may receive assistance from her skipper or other persons in order to resume racing, so long as that assistance does not give the boat a competitive advantage.

18. Loss of control: a skipper who loses radio control of a boat shall immediately announce Number ___ out of control! That boat shall be deemed to have retired and shall be considered an obstruction.

Here are three other recommendations , which although they are not rules, will make racing more enjoyable for everyone involved.

    1. If you are in doubt about who has the right-of-way, follow the Golden Rule: give way. In         other words, do for the other boat what you would want her to do for you.
    2. Even if you are confident that you are right, if the other boat refuses to do its penalty turn         and there was no contact between boats (see Rule 14) it is usually better to forego your right         to carry out the rest of the protest procedure rather than force everyone to wait, losing         valuable racing time, while your protest is being decided. You and your protestee should         discuss the issue after  racing is done for the day and are welcome to request a review and         advisory decision from the Principle Race Officer.
    3. Remember this is a game you are playing, not a war. The object is to have fun, not to try         and win at any cost!

* RRS Definition of proper course: a course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of other boats. There is no proper course prior to the starting signal.