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Race Committee Manual – 2014 - 2016
Introduction ............................................................................. 3
Racing Program........................................................................ 4
Special Racing Events............................................................... 6
Racing Rules ............................................................................. 8
Bloomington Yacht Club
Race Course ............................................................................. 8
Starting the Race ..................................................................... 10
Finishing the Race .................................................................... 12
Race Scoring ............................................................................ 12
Awards ..................................................................................... 14
Race Committee ...................................................................... 15
Before Leaving the Dock ..................................................... 15
Operation of the Pontoon Boat .......................................... 16
Guidelines for Setting the Race Course .............................. 17
Preparation for Starting the Race ....................................... 19
Starting the Race ................................................................ 20
Recording the Finish ........................................................... 21
Appendix .................................................................................. 23
Race Manual
Starting Signals ................................................................... 23
Other Starting Signals ......................................................... 24
2014 - 2016
Course Change Signals ........................................................ 25
Postponed/Abandoned Signals .......................................... 26
Portsmouth Handicap Numbers ......................................... 27
Beaufort Scale of Wind Velocity ......................................... 28
Introduction
Several changes are planned for the sailing activities of the Bloomington
Yacht Club in 2014. Those involving the BYC Racing Program are
introduced in this edition of the Racing Manual. In addition to these
racing changes an emphasis will be placed on cruising/day-sailing
activities and the development of a sail training program for junior
members.
This manual, itself, is changed somewhat as well, in response to input
from several members. It is published for the years 2014 through 2016
to coincide with The Racing Rules of Sailing which is updated every four
years. The next issue of the BYC Racing Manual is planned for 2017
through 2020. Of course if there is a need, an interim issue will be
published.
Racing Program
One of the main activities of the Bloomington Yacht Club is the racing
program. It includes regular races scheduled on most Sundays, and
several Saturdays, and Wednesdays throughout the sailing season, May
through November. As many as 3 or more races may be held on any
particular date, depending on weather and time of the day. Additionally
there are several regattas scheduled in place of the regular races. Each
year, schedules of the regular races and special events are detailed and
published separately from this manual .
The venue for BYC racing events is on Lake Lemon in Monroe County
within sight of the BYC docks. All parts of the race course will be in
water of 10 feet or more in depth, and each mark will be at least 50
yards from shore, or 100 yards or more from a windward shore. See
shaded area in chart below:
You will also notice that the Racing Manual and the Race Committee
Manual, separate publications in the past, are now combined into
thissingle manual. And this manual is now available in two forms - a
printed version and an electronic version available on the BYC website.
And finally, note that the Race Schedule itself is not included in this
manual. It will be published separately along with ROD/AROD
assignments, and will be updated periodically as needed.
With that said, welcome to the 2014 sailing season. Please familiarize
yourself with all aspects of this manual. Enjoy our wonderful facility on
Lake Lemon. And above all, be safe. See you on the water--
In addition to this racing program, it is Bloomington Yacht Club's goal to
increase non-racing activities for the enjoyment of cruisers and day
sailors. And we also want to implement a training program for junior
members. These will be introduced and organized throughout the
season as interest is indicated and resources are committed.
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Boats sailing in the regular BYC racing events are divided into two fleets:
Boats over 14 feet overall length sail in the "A" fleet. They compete in
the Sunday afternoon races. Boats 14 feet or less in overall length sail in
the "B" fleet. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, only the "B" fleets
compete. On Sundays, if two or more "B" fleet boats participate, they
will start with the "A" fleet boats but may sail a shorter course and they
will be scored separately. Their score will be considered along with the
Wednesday and Saturday races in determining the "B" fleet season
standings. If only one "B" fleet boat participates in a Sunday race, it will
start with the "A" fleet, sail the same course, and its finish will recorded
as an "A" fleet participant.
On some occasions, such as the annual Lake Lemon Regatta, some boats
of the same class will sail separately and will be scored by their finish
order only. Otherwise all boats, both "A" and "B" fleets, will be timed
and scored on a handicap basis using the Portsmouth Handicap Number
system. This handicap considers the boat class and the wind speed and
is a compilation of data collected nationally. A table of Portsmouth
numbers applicable to the boats expected to sail in the BYC events is
included in the appendix.
In order to have a successful racing program, we need to have a corps of
race officers to prepare for and run the races. Traditionally members
have volunteered for Race Officer of the Day (ROD) and Assistant Race
Officer of the Day (AROD) one or more times each season. Service as
ROD and AROD is a requirement for membership in the Bloomington
Yacht Club, whether you are a racer or not.
Each active racing skipper is expected to serve as Race Officer of the Day
(ROD) for two race days, either a Sunday, or a Saturday, or a
Wednesday. Assistant Race Officers of the Day (ARODs) are not needed
for Saturdays or Wednesdays (except regattas), but each BYC member is
required for AROD duty on a Sunday race committee. The Vice
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Commodore will maintain a roster of ROD and AROD assignments and
post them on the club bulletin board as well as the Bloomington Yacht
Club web site. Members may sign up for the ROD and AROD duties on
the bulletin board or via e-mail to the Vice Commodore.
Service on the race committee for one or more race days or at a BYC
regatta is a prerequisite for consideration for seasonal awards. Service
on the race committee also counts as an equivalent number of races
entered in meeting the minimum number of races for seasonal awards.
Race committee responsibilities are detailed later in this Race Manual.
Special Racing Events
Arm Chair Regatta
This one or two day event scheduled early in the sailing season,
before regular racing begins if possible. Experienced BYC
members lead discussions on boat handling, racing tactics, local
weather patterns, racing rules, etc. The discussions are focused on
members' questions.
Pirates vs. Buccaneers
This skirmish on the high seas of Lake Lemon features two teams
costumed appropriately, battling with water cannons, water
balloons, etc., competing for the keg of rum. This "don't miss"
highlight of each season is scheduled in connection with the July 4th
celebration and the July pitch-in monthly meeting. All members are
encouraged to join in the fun with their own boats of any size, as
guests on other members' boats, or on the committee boat or
several other spectator boats.
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Commodores Cup
This one day regatta for "B" fleet boats is scheduled the same day as
the August general meeting. Awards, including traveling and keeper
trophies, are awarded after the final race on Saturday afternoon.
Founders Day Regatta
This one day regatta for "A" fleet boats is scheduled the same day
as the September general meeting. Awards, including traveling and
keeper trophies, are awarded after the final race on Saturday
afternoon.
Skippers' Challenge
In this round robin event, skippers change boats for each race,
giving them a chance to experience other boats, other crews, and
other equipment layouts. This is a recently new event that is just
beginning to take hold with membership enthusiasm.
Lake Lemon Regatta
This two day invitational event scheduled in late September has
been going on for 53 years. Open to all BYC members, skippers
have entered from each of our neighboring states and some from as
far away as the Carolinas. Traditionally, it has also served as the
final leg of the Midwest Y-Flyer circuit. Boats with eight or more
entries in their class start and are scored separately. All other boats
are scored in the "A" and "B" fleets with the Portsmouth Handicap
System. Meals, including a catered dinner Saturday night and our
traditional pancake breakfast are included in the entry and guest
fees. Trophies are awarded after the final race on Sunday
afternoon.
Last Chance Regatta
This final race in our special events was designed to give members
one more chance to get in on the hardware distribution at the end
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of the season. This time it's the Tim Roualet Cup named in honor of
the first winner of this one day regatta. To boost the chance of
victory by those members who have not done as well as others, an
additional handicap is applied based on each individual's
performance throughout the season. Members anticipate this
regatta with great enthusiasm.
Racing Rules
The conduct of all BYC races shall be governed by the Racing Rules of
Sailing as published by the International Sailing Federation, except as
otherwise noted in this Race Manual and the sailing instructions posted
on the bulletin board. These rules are effective for the years 2013 –
2016, and can be found on the Internet: www.ussailing.gov or in
numerous other publications. There are no major changes in the Racing
Rules as compared with the previous edition for 2009 - 2012.
An excellent reference for the sailing rules, their interpretation, and
sailing tactics relative to those rules, is Dave Perry's Understanding the
Racing Rules of Sailing through 2016.
Race Course
Most BYC races are held on one of two types of race courses as
determined by the race committee:
On a modified Olympic course the boats sail around a triangle including
the windward mark “W”, the jibe mark “J”, and the leeward mark “L”,
then back to the windward mark “W”, and to the leeward mark “L” and
finally to the finish line. See diagram page 9, left. Weather or time
might dictate reducing the course to a single triangle or adding an
additional triangle,
On a windward-leeward course, the boats sail one, two or more laps
around the windward mark "W", around the leeward mark "L" and
finally to the finish line. See diagram page 9, right.
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W_L_W_L_W_S
indicates the boats will sail two laps around a
windward-leeward course leaving all marks to
starboard.
Occasionally, the race committee may set two marks approximately 50
feet apart, at the leeward end of the race course, thus forming a gate.
The proper course is to pass between the marks from the direction of
the previous mark and round either mark before proceeding towards
the next windward mark or the finish line.
On some occasions, the finish line will be designated as “sacred”,
meaning that after the start, boats shall not sail between the start/finish
mark and the committee boat except when finishing the race. This will
be signaled by a yellow “Q” flag displayed on the committee boat.
The course will be designated by placards displayed on the port side of
the committee boat: If the "A" and "B" fleets are to sail different
courses, the "A" fleet course will be displayed on the port side of the
committee boat and the "B" fleet course will be displayed on the
starboard side. All marks are to be left to port (the course is to be sailed
in a counter-clockwise direction) unless otherwise announced by the
race committee and a green "S" placard is displayed alongside the
course placards. For example:
∆_W_L_W
windward,
Indicates the boats will sail the modified Olympic
course counter-clockwise around the triangle
(windward,
jibe, leeward), then the
leeward marks, and finally windward to the finish
line, leaving all marks to port.
Starting the Race
Saturday and Sunday races are scheduled to start at 1:30 PM.
Wednesday races are scheduled to start at approximately 6:00 PM.
These times may be adjusted at the discretion of the race committee
depending on weather conditions or readiness of the race committee
and race participants. All boats intending to race should be in the
starting area at those times.
Boats must check in with the race committee, registering their names
and sail numbers. If they intend not to sail further races for the day, this
should also be reported. After checking in, boats should keep clear of
the committee boat so that others may check in. If another fleet is to
start earlier, boats not starting should keep clear of the entire starting
line and surrounding areas.
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10
The following signals displayed from the committee boat, accompanied
by a sound from the air horn or electric horn, govern the start process
for each fleet as follows:
Alert
No flag
5 min
Warning "B" flag (red swallow-tail flag) is displayed
precisely 5 minutes before the start
4 min
Preparatory "P" flag (white square on blue field) is displayed
4 minutes before the start.
1 min
0 min
Several short sounds on the air horn indicates
the start sequence to begin in approximately
one minute.
"P" flag is removed 1 minute before the start.
Start
"B" flag is removed. The fleet starts.
In order to avoid prolonged delays between races, if one or more boats
lag the rest of the fleet by more time than their handicap would bring
their corrected time into the range of the fleet, the race committee may
declare a DNF for the lagging boat(s) and begin the start sequence for
the next race. In such cases, the race committee shall hail the affected
skippers and allow them enough time to return to the start area for the
next race.
If any protests are anticipated, they should be registered with the race
committee at this time.
These signals are illustrated in the appendix.
If one or two boats are over the starting line early, the race committee
will display the Individual Recall "X" flag (blue cross on white field) and
attempt to hail those boats by bull horn or voice. If three or more boats
are over the starting line early, a General Recall "First Substitute"
pennant (yellow triangle with a blue border) will be displayed. In either
case, any boats that are OCS (On the Course Side of the starting line)
must return and start properly.
R
C
S
Finishing the Race
As each boat crosses the finish line, the race committee will hail its sail
number and record its finish time. The boat should clear the finish line
and surrounding area to allow other boats to finish The boat should
report to the race committee to confirm his intention for further racing
(continue or abandon) and learn of any changes from the race
committee.
W
L
W
Race Scoring
All boats participating in the regular Sunday Series will start together,
will sail the same course and will collectively compete for the same "A"
fleet season awards. Except that if two or more "B" fleet boats
participate in a race, they may sail a different (shorter) course and will
be scored separately.
All "B" fleet boats sailing in the Wednesday or Saturday Series, as well
as those "B" fleets scored separately (two or more in a race) in the
Sunday series will compete for the same "B" fleet awards. Members
may compete for both the "A" fleet and "B" fleet awards.
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The actual finish times will be recorded by the race committee on the
pontoon boat. At the end of the race day, the actual finish times will be
corrected by a Portsmouth handicap factor appropriate for the boat
class and wind strength (see the appendix for the Portsmouth handicap
numbers applicable to BYC membership). The results will be posted on
the Bloomington Yacht Club web site. The corrected time is calculated
as follows: Corrected time = Actual time x 100 / PHRF
If the Race Committee has declared a DNF for a boat(s) which lags the
rest of the fleet by so much time that its corrected time would still
result in a last place, the race committee shall record the finish as a
DNF (did not finish) for that boat(s).
A low point scoring system is used to determine the results for the
season or for a series. Ties will be broken in favor of the boat finishing
first the most times, then second, etc. If a tie is not broken by this
method, the tie will be broken in favor of the boat beating the other
boat the most times. If the tie is still not broken, it will be broken in
favor of the boat with the best score in the final race.
Last Chance Regatta: For this series an additional handicap will be
applied to the corrected time, based on each skipper’s performance for
the season up to the series. The performance factor is the skipper’s
corrected time compared to the corrected time of the first place boat in
each race. Note: the performance factors are accumulated for each
skipper, regardless of which boat he is sailing. These performance
factors are averaged for the season and applied to the corrected times
for each race in the handicap series, as follows:
Performance factor = Skipper’s corr. time / 1st place corr. time
Handicap time = Corrected time x average performance factor
Awards
To be eligible for the season awards or the Last Chance Regatta awards,
skippers must participate the majority of the races sailed either as
skipper, crew, or on the race committee. This eligibility does not apply
to the Commodores Cup or to the Lake Lemon Regatta. Also, service on
the race committee for one or more regular race days or at a BYC
regatta is a prerequisite for consideration for seasonal awards. Service
on the race committee also counts as an equivalent number of races
entered in meeting the minimum number of races for seasonal awards.
Regular Race
Separate awards will be given to the "A" fleet and the "B" fleet. The "A"
fleet awards will be distributed to "A" fleet boats sailing in regular
Sunday races and any single "B" fleet boats sailing and scored along with
those "A" fleet boats. "B" fleet awards will be distributed to "B" fleet
boats sailing on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and boats sailing on Sundays
being scored separately. Awards will be presented at the annual
meeting in November. Two or more boats will constitute an eligible
race to be counted in the season standings.
Commodores Cup and "A" Fleet Championship Regattas
A traveling trophy is awarded to the winners of each regatta. 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd place keeper trophies are also awarded. Awards will be
presented after the last race.
Lake Lemon Regatta
This regatta is part of the Midwest Y-Flyer circuit. The Y-Flyer fleet will
start separately and will be scored by actual finish positions using the
AYFYRA low point scoring system. In addition to the traveling trophy
awarded by the Y-Flyers, BYC will also award trophies for 1st, 2nd, and
3rd places. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will also be awarded to the “A”
and “B” fleets, based on Portsmouth corrected times as well as to any
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fleet with eight or more boats of the same class entered and scored
separately. Awards will be presented after the last race.
Last Chance Regatta
The Tim Roualet Cup, named in honor of the first winner of this annual
event in 2008, is a travelling trophy which will be awarded to the winner
of this one-day series. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place keeper trophies will also be
awarded. Awards will be presented at the annual meeting in
November.
Race Committee
Before Leaving the Dock
The Race Officer of the Day (ROD) and the Assistant Race Officer of the
Day (AROD) should be ready to begin their duties approximately one
hour before the scheduled start time of the first race of the day. This
should allow enough time to prepare the committee boat and set the
race course. First on the agenda for the race committee is equipping
the pontoon boat with the necessary equipment: Racing marks (buoys)
and extra fuel (if needed) are in the equipment shed. Stopwatches,
score sheets, air horns, etc. are in the file cabinet in the club office along
with the bull horn. The ignition key is next to the bulletin board in the
office.
The race marks need to be attached to the mushroom anchors. Also
check the pontoon boat anchors to make sure the anchor rodes are
properly secured to the pontoon boat itself.
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For regattas and some other events, a skippers meeting will be held on
shore to register participants and announce details of the race(s). For
regular Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday races, registration will
proceed on the committee boat as soon as the course has been set.
Operation of the Pontoon Boat
When operating the pontoon boat proper seamanship should be
followed at all times. Be particularly careful backing out of the slip and
out of the harbor, as maneuvering room is tight and there are sailboats
leaving the docks or hoist area. A windy day will simply add to these
conditions. Also be sure to secure the pontoon boat properly at a dock
or in its slip using dock lines at all four corners of the boat.
Following are guidelines for using the outboard engine on the pontoon
boat:
Connect the cable(s) to the battery - red cable to the positive (+)
terminal, black cable to the negative (-) terminal.
With the ignition key inserted, lower the engine into the water
using the red switch on the left side of the throttle handle.
Check the fuel tank to be sure there is ample gas for the day’s
activities. If not, fill the tank with a 50:1 mixture of gas/oil,
premixed in a gas can stored in the equipment shed
appropriately marked for the pontoon boat.
Connect the fuel line to the engine (on port side) open the vent
on the gas tank cap, and squeeze the bulb in the fuel line
several times to prime the engine with fuel. Note: If there is
difficulty starting the engine, often the problem is the engine
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has not been primed enough and the bulb needs to be
squeezed some more.
Give a small amount of throttle using the small lever behind the
throttle handle, preventing engagement of the gear shift into
forward or reverse.
Push the key in for about ten seconds, closing the choke.
Continue holding the key in while turning it to start the engine.
Once the engine has caught, release the ignition key in the “on”
position. When the engine has warmed up sufficiently, return
the throttle and lever to their neutral positions.
Throughout the day’s use the pontoon boat can usually be
stopped and restarted using the ignition key only. If there is a
difficulty in restarting, the engine may have to be re-primed
with the bulb in the fuel line, or the choke may have to be used
as described above.
When finished for the day, stop the engine with the ignition key,
disconnect the fuel line, close the vent on the gas tank, raise the engine
completely out of the water, and disconnect the negative battery cable.
Guidelines for Setting the Race Course
The length of the race should be dictated by the anticipated wind
strength. Plan each race to be completed by the 1st boat in 30 – 35
minutes, all boats in 45 – 50 minutes. In winds of 3 knots or less, the
course should be no longer than ¾ mile total, probably a single triangle
or a single windward-leeward course. (See the Beaufort Scale for Wind
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Velocity in the appendix of this manual as a guide for estimating wind
velocity.) As a guide for estimating the distance, the width across Lake
Lemon at the BYC facility is a little more than 1/2 mile. In winds up to
10 knots, the course could be up to 2 ½ miles long, such as a modified
Olympic course with marks ½ mile apart. In winds up to 16 knots, a
course could be up to 4 miles long with longer legs and/or perhaps a
double triangle followed by windward-leeward-windward legs.
The preferred race course is a modified Olympic course. Alternatively a
windward – leeward courses may be set. See page 9 for descriptions
and illustrations of these courses, placard displays, etc.
When setting the course, the windward and leeward marks should be
aligned with the anticipated wind direction. Use flags on the committee
boat or a piece of yarn or audiotape to determine the average wind
direction. It does not matter in which order the windward, leeward,
and jibe marks are set, and in some cases it may be necessary to reset a
mark or two prior to the start sequence. Finally, set the start/finish line
approximately midway between the windward and leeward marks. It is
important that the start/finish line be as square (perpendicular) as
possible to the wind direction. Again, use the flags or yarn to determine
this, not the direction to the windward mark. Adjust the anchor rodes
on the committee boat to adjust the start/finish line. Note: Be sure the
anchor rodes are secured to the pontoon boat before deploying them
overboard. When deploying the various marks from the committee
boat, make sure the buoy’s anchor line is long enough to reach the
bottom and prevent the mark from drifting off position.
Finally, display the course placards as described on pages 9 - 10 of this
manual on the port railing of the committee boat. If the "B" Fleet will
be racing a separate course, the placards for that course are displayed
on the starboard side. Then display the "RC" flag indicating the
committee boat is on station and ready to begin starting the races.
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Preparation for Starting the Race
Once the course has been set and the committee boat is positioned at
the start line, the “RC” flag should be displayed on the port side of the
committee boat to indicate the committee boat is in position and the
start signals will begin shortly. In preparation for the start, the race
committee should get all of the signal flags ready to display, including
the red “B” flag (warning signal), the white square on a blue field “P”
flag (preparatory signal), the blue cross on a white field “X” flag
(individual recall signal), and the blue border on a yellow field “First
Substitute” pennant (general recall signal). Weather conditions and
other circumstances may dictate the need for other signal flags. See
appendix for descriptions, etc.
Responsibilities aboard the committee boat should be assigned: Who
will sight the start and finish lines for boats over the start line early and
calling the finish of each boat. Who will be the time keeper to count
down to the start signals and call the finish times. Who will record the
boats entering the race and record the finish times as they are called.
Who will display the start signals precisely with the count-down. And
who will be responsible for audible signals such as the air horn for the
start sequence and the bullhorn for recalls. Each member of the race
committee may be responsible for one or more of these duties.
As the race entrants report in to the race committee, the skipper’s
name, crew’s name, sail number, and boat class need to be logged-in on
the score sheet. A separate sheet should be filled out for each race.
Also estimate the wind velocity (see the Beaufort Scale in the appendix
this Race Manual) and the average wind direction, and record them on
the score sheet. The wind should be rechecked again during the race
and averaged if it changes significantly.
Starting the Race
When preparations are complete and the sailboats are in the starting
area, the race committee will sound the “Alert” signal – several blasts
on the air horn. The designated timekeeper will begin a short
countdown to the “Warning” signal. The timekeeper will also count
down to each of the following start signals.
Approximately one minute after the "Alert Signal" has been sounded,
the following start signals need to be displayed or removed smartly and
precisely on time.
Time
Before
Start
5 Min
Signals
The stopwatch is started. The “Warning Signal (red “B” flag)
is displayed in the 2nd position on the port side of the
committee boat (next to the RC flag). The air horn is
sounded – one sound.
4 Min
The “Preparatory” Signal (white square on blue field “P” flag)
is displayed alongside the red “Warning” Signal. The air
horn is sounded – one sound.
1 Min
The “Preparatory” Signal is removed. The air horn is
sounded – one sound.
Start
The “Warning” Signal is removed. The air horn is sounded –
one long sound. A second stop watch may be started to
time the actual finish times.
At the start, a race committee member shall sight from the RC flag
down the starting line to the pin and announce the sail number of any
boats that are over the start line early. If one or two boats are over
early, the “Individual Recall” flag (blue cross on white field “X” flag) is
displayed until the boat(s) have restarted correctly.
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If more than two boats are over early, the "General Recall" flag is
displayed and the entire start sequence will be repeated beginning with
the alert signal. This will precede the starts of other fleets not yet
started.
Some signals which may affect course changes or other race restrictions
are illustrated and explained in the appendix of this manual.
Recording the Finish
As the participating boats finish, a member of the race committee,
sighting along the finish line from the foremost port signal position (RC
flag) to the pin buoy at the opposite end, shall call the sail number as
the bow of each boat crosses the finish line. The timekeeper will call
the actual time (minutes and seconds) using the second stopwatch
which was begun at the “Start” signal (or subtracting five minutes from
the first stopwatch which was started at the “Warning” signal). The
record keeper will log the actual finish time for each sail number as the
boats finish, recording minutes and seconds. The corrected times will
be officially calculated by computer after they are turned in to the Vice
Commodore for publication.
For any boats which have dropped out of a race or did not finish for any
other reason, the scorekeeper shall enter "DNF" in the finish time
column for its sail number. If upon finishing, a skipper protests another
boat, appropriate notations shall be entered on the score sheet for that
race.
Upon completion of racing for the day, the score sheets shall be
delivered to the Vice Commodore for publication and season records. If
the Vice Commodore is not available at the club, he can be reached by
phone (812) 935-0999, or cell (812) 322-5556, for other arrangements.
Please call by 8:00 PM on the evening of the races so that they can be
published on the internet within the next 24 hours.
And finally, return all equipment to the equipment shed and the club
office.
Because all boats are sailing the same course and same number of laps,
it may become obvious in some conditions that the finish of a slower
boat(s) could significantly delay the start of subsequent races. If the
slower boat(s) lags the rest of the fleet by so much time that its
corrected time would still result in a last place, the race committee may
declare a DNF (Did Not Finish) for those boats. The boats affected
should be hailed as soon as possible so that they can return to the
starting area in time for the next race.
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Appendix
Other Starting Signals
Starting Signals
5 min
Warning
1 sound
“I” Flag
Individual Recall – 1 sound. Boats whose sail
numbers are hailed from the committee boat must
return and restart. This includes boats on the course
side of the starting line when the “I” flag is displayed’
“B” Flag
4 min
Preparatory
Boats on the course side of the starting line or its
extensions during the final minute of the start
sequence must return outside the starting line prior
to starting as per Rule 30.1. This flag may be
displayed in lieu of the “P” flag. The “Z” penalty flag
(Rule 30.2) and the Black disqualification flag (Rule
30.3) will not normally be used
1 sound
“X” Flag
“P” Flag
1 min
One Minute
General Recall – 2 sounds. The warning signal for a
new start will be made one minute after the First
Substitute is removed (one sound)
1 long sound
First
Substitute
Personal Floatation Devices (life jackets) must be
worn by all competitors. This flag will be displayed at
the discretion of the race committee as weather
conditions dictate. Skippers and crew members are
ultimately responsible for their own safety.
"P" Flag Removed
0 min
Start
1 sound
“Y” Flag
“B” Flag Removed
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Course Change Signals
Postponed/Abandoned Signals
Sacred Start/Finish Line. After starting, boats
shall not cross the start/finish line except to
finish the race
Postponment – 2 sounds. Races not started
are postponed
“AP” Flag
“Q” Flag
Abandonment – 3 sounds. All races are
abandomed
Shortened Course – 2 sounds. Finish
between the nearby mark and the staff
displaying this flag.
“N” Flag
“S” Flag
Further signals ashore (displayed with
postponed or abandoned signals)
Course Change – repetitive sounds. The
position of the next mark has been changed.
The new course will be announced audibly
from the committee boat displaying this flag.
“H” Flag
“C” Flag
No more racing today (displayed with
postponed or abandoned signals)
The object displaying this signal replaces a
missing mark
“A” Flag
“M” Flag
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Beaufort Scale of Wind Velocity *
Portsmouth Handicap Numbers
For BYC Sailboat Classes
Effective – 2008 *
Beaufort #
MPH
Knots
0-1
0–4.0
0-3
2-3
4.1–12.0
4 - 10
4
12.1–18.9
11 - 16
5–9
19.0–53.9
17 – 47
C Scow
E Scow
Flying Dutchman
Flying Scot
Force 5
Highlander
Hobie 14
Hobie Tiger F18
Interlake
Jet 14
Laser
Laser Radial
Mystere 4.3
Nacra 5.8
San Juan 21
Sunfish
Thistle
Wayfarer
Y Flyer
81.4
77.6
82.6
92.1
98.1
87.8
95.0
65.4
92.3
97.5
93.7
99.4
96.0
72.1
97.1
103.0
83.0
94.0
89.5
80.1
75.3
81.5
90.4
96.6
86.3
90.1
63.9
90.1
98.2
92.3
97.3
90.1
69.3
94.9
100.4
83.0
91.7
87.9
78.1
70.8
78.4
89.1
95.3
82.7
85.6
61.3
89.2
96.6
91.0
93.6
85.5
65.7
93.7
97.8
83.0
90.5
86.4
77.6
69.3
75.9
87.5
93.4
80.5
80.9
59.5
87.1
94.6
88.2
80.9
62.2
93.7
95.8
83.0
89.5
83.4
Beaufort Wind
#
(Knots)
0
Less
than 1
1
1-3
WMO
Calm
Light Air
2
4-6
Light
Breeze
3
7 - 10
Gentle
breeze
4
11 – 16
5
17 – 21
6
22 – 27
7
28 – 33
8
34 – 40
9
41 – 47
On the water **
Sea surface smooth and
mirror like
Scaly ripples, no foam
crests
Small wavelets, crests
glassy, no breaking
Large wavelets, crests
begin to break, scattered
whitecaps
Moderate Small waves 1 – 4 ft,
breeze
becoming longer,
numerous whitecaps
Fresh
Moderate waves 4 – 8 ft
Breeze
taking longer form, many
white caps, some spray
Strong
Larger waves 8 – 13 ft,
Breeze
whitecaps common, more
spray
Near Gale Sea heaps up, waves 13 –
20 ft, white foam streaks
off breakers
`Gale
Moderately high (13 – 20
ft) waves of greater length,
edges of crests begin to
break into spindrift, foam
blown in streaks
Strong
High waves (20 ft) sea
gale
begins to roll, dense
streaks of foam, spray may
reduce visibility
On Land
Calm, smoke rises
vertically
Smoke drift indicates
wind direction, still wind
vanes
Wind felt on face, leaves
rustle, vanes begin to
move
Leaves and small twigs
constantly moving, light
flags extended
Dust, leaves, and loose
paper lifted, small
branches move
Small trees in leaf begin
to sway
Large tree branches
moving, whistling in
wires
Whole trees moving,
resistance felt walking
against wind
Whole trees in motion,
resistance felt in walking
against wind
Slight structural damage
occurs, slate blows off
roofs
* Note: This is a partial chart, including winds up to 47 knots only
Note: The 2014 handicaps are not available as of this printing
2014 numbers will be distributed when available
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** Conditions on the water are described for the high seas. Conditions
experienced on Lake Lemon will be somewhat less, particularly in
the higher wind velocities.
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