THAMES YACHT CLUB

2007 THURSDAY NIGHT FORCE 5 SERIES

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

 

1.0             RULES

 

1.1             The Series will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the pre-scriptions of US Sailing, Force 5 Class Rules, TYC Course Symbols and Marks handout and these Sailing Instructions.  Advertising is restricted to Category A.

 

1.2             Rules of the Road provide commercial traffic with the right-of-way in a restricted channel.  Failure of a racing boat to keep clear, whether intentional or not, may result in disqualification.

 

1.3             Sail numbers are not required.

 

1.4             A minimum of 2 boats must start a race in order for it to be scored.

 

2.0             ENTRIES

 

2.1             Entries will be accepted or rejected at the discretion of the Race Committee.

 

2.2             Guest racers will not be counted in the overall scoring for the season.  Finishing scores will not be adjusted to account for guests, e.g. If a guest finishes first and a season regular finishes second, the second place will not be adjusted to first and so on, etc.

 

2.3        Each Guest must remit a $10.00 racing fee, per race night, payable to a race official prior to the First Warning.

 

3.0             CHANGES IN SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

 

Any change to the Sailing Instructions will be posted on the TYC Race Information bulletin board not later than 60 minutes prior to the First Warning on the evening it will take effect.

 

4.0             SCHEDULE

 

4.1             The scored season will be divided into two series:  First Half and Second Half.

 

4.2             Race dates for the First Half are May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28 and July 5 and 12.

 

4.3             Race dates for the Second Half are July 19, 26, and August 2, 9, 23 and 30.

 

4.4             The Race Committee will attempt to run three races each evening, but not more than seven.

 

 

 

5.0             FIRST WARNING

 

5.1             The First Warning will be made at 1800 each evening.

 

6.0             THE START

 

6.1             The Three Minute Dinghy Starting System described as follows will be used:

 

3 Minutes                         3 standard blasts

2 Minutes                         2 standard blasts

1 Minute 30 Seconds    1 standard blast and 3 short blasts

1 Minute                           1 standard blast

30 Seconds                       3 short blasts

20 Seconds                       2 short blasts

10 Seconds                       1 short blast

5 Seconds down              1 short blast for each second

Start                                   1 Long Blast

 

6.2             The starting line shall be between an orange flag on the committee boat and an inflatable buoy.

 

6.3             A boat which is subject to Rule 30.1 (I Flag Rule) may be notified before her start.

 

7.0             THE COURSE

 

7.1             The course will be posted on the committee boat.  Marks will be identified on the TYC Course Symbols and Marks Handout.  The course designation procedures, as given on its reverse side, will be followed.  SPECIAL MARKS:  The race committee may set as many as two special marks identified and positioned as follows:  SPECIAL MARK ÒMÓ may be set southerly of the committee boat on the west side of the channel.  SPECIAL MARK ÒBÓ may be set northerly of the committee boat on the west side of the channel.

 

7.2             The requirement to cross the starting line for courses designated as 2 or 3 times around is suspended.  This changes the TYC Course Symbols and marks Handout accordingly.

 

8.0             RECALLS

 

8.1             Individual Recalls will be signaled in accordance with Rule 29.1 and Race Signals.  The race committee will attempt to hail each boat.  A boat over early and not returning for a proper start will be scored OCS.

 

8.2             General Recall signals and procedures will be as specified in Rule 29.2 and Race Signals.  The normal starting sequence will immediately resume.

 

9.0             THE FINISH

 

9.1             The finish line shall be between an orange flag on the committee boat and an inflatable buoy.

 

9.2             Boats unable to finish should notify the race committee before retiring from the race course.

 

10.0         TIME LIMIT

 

The first boat in each race must finish within 45 minutes of the start.

 

11.0         PROTESTS

 

11.1         A boat intending to protest shall comply with Rule 61.1.  A written protest shall be delivered to a race official at the Clubhouse prior to one hour after the race committee comes ashore.

 

11.2         It is intended that any protest be heard as soon as feasible after the dayÕs racing.  Failure of either party to appear may result in a judgment against the absentee.

 

12.0         SCORING

 

12.1         The Series will be scored in accordance with Rule 89.3 and Appendix A4.1 (Low-Point System).  A boat must start in at least 70 per cent of races completed in each series to qualify.

 

12.2         If a boat starts more than 70 per cent of races completed, the worst races of the series will be discarded that are in excess of the minimum required.

 

13.0         RACE COMMITTEE DUTY

 

Each skipper is required to serve on race committee one time during the course of the season.  Failure to do so may result in disqualification for all series.  Serving will count towards the minimum participation requirement of 70% and average points will be awarded for the races served.  The sign-up sheet for R/C duty is on the bulletin board.

 

14.0         PRIZES

 

Suitable prizes will be awarded SkippersÕ Night, Friday, September 7th.  Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd boats in each series that has at least seven entrants.

 

15.0         DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

 

Competitors participate entirely at their own risk.  See Rule 4, Decision to Race.  The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the seriesÕ conclusion.