Sailing Instructions 2025

The Sailing Instructions are ready for you to read and print.

Sailing Instructions

Make sure you read through and understand the basics. Maybe keep a copy on your boat if you need to look up something. I know people often ask us where is the "Y" mark?  It's good to know all the marks.

Also, it's time to register. 

Register Here

We're happy to have anyone come out to sail for three weeks without paying, but you do need to register after that. Remember that if you want to compete for trophies, Star boats need to pay their class dues, and handicap boats need an EZ certification.

You can get EZ certs here.

Only two weeks to go!

EZ certs for Handicap boats

Are you racing in a handicap boat? It's time to get your 2025 EZ Certificate.

https://www.regattaman.com/certificate_page.php

If you have a certificate from 2024, we can use that. If your certificate is older or you don't have one, please get one now. You'll need one to be in the running for trophies!

What's my Rating?

If you want to know all your ratings, you can see them here:

>Current Ratings<

This link is available on the Blog on the right and will be available as the season progresses. It might not work next year, but it should work this year.

Not everyone has a rating for all wind speeds yet. That's because we don't have enough information on those boats. When we get more info, we will update the ratings in the sheet.

These are Assigned Ratings! We are assigning you a rating for all wind speeds and course configurations based on the available information we have about your boat. We have very little information about most boats, so we are assigning ratings based on all available information we can conjure. Don't like your rating? The solution is simple - get more information about your boat. Get an ORC certificate, have your displacement measured, measure your sails... These are all good ways to get us more information.

Why are we assigning ratings? We have boats racing on Wednesdays that have never received a PHRF, ORC, or ORR certificate. We have boats racing that have never been measured. We have boats that race for only a few races a year. We have to assign them something, or we have nothing.

Remember, we're trying to invite boats to come out racing. If you have an Island Packet docked at Higgins, and you want to come out racing, we will assign you a rating. You can come out to play.  This is entry-level fun racing, folks. We want people to learn with us.

That line is not for you

Remember rule 10.1 in the Sailing Instructions - If you're not starting, you need to stay well clear of the starting line.

When are you starting? When your Class Flag is flying, or from 5 minutes before your start to your start.

Other than that, hang out away from the line and wait until it's your turn.

What sails can I use?

There are no limitations, but your certificate needs to include your sails.

Let's say that you go buy a new blooper sail. You want to use this new sail when racing low angles downwind. To use the new sail, you will need to get a new certificate from ORC that includes the new sail in the VPP information. Once we have that information, you can use the sail.

We want people to use their sails in two configurations. For the sake of naming, let's call the two configurations "Default" and "Alternate." Each configuration is a basket of sails that are on your certificate. The certificate shows a VPP for that basket of sails.

Everyone races together. The VPP allows people to compete because they choose their basket, get a certificate for that basket, and race with that basket. The contents of the basket are irrelevant; only the VPP matters.

We could tell people they can only have one rating and must fly a spinnaker. We could tell people that they must have lifelines. We could tell people they must carry a storm trysail and a liferaft. Many races do just that. We don't. We just want people to come out Wednesday nights with sails they can manage and race for fun. We allow people to get a certificate that matches their desired fun and just come racing.

Many organizations tell people you must be a specific type of racer to come out and play. The J/70 start in Annapolis will not let a Cal 33 on the starting line. If you spend enough time putting up barriers so people can't participate, they will eventually go away. We take the opposite approach. Everyone is welcome with whatever boat they have. Put on some sails, and let's go!

Changing course vs. Shortening coruse

 Changing vs. Shortening - is there a difference? Yes!

A quick primer: Changing the course means moving the existing marks. You still use all the same marks, they are just moved to a different place. Shortening course is when the competitors can't finish in time and you finish at an existing mark. No marks are moved, but you finish at a new finish line "short" of the existing finish line.

If the race committee changes the course, they display a "C" flag with some indication of how to find the changed location of the next mark, and they make several repetitive sounds to get your attention. The race committee tells you that the course changed and how to find the next mark. The rule is written like this:

33 (a) If the direction of the leg will be changed, the signal shall be the display of flag C with repetitive sounds and one or both of (1) the new compass bearing, (2) a green triangle for a change to starboard or a red rectangle for a change to port.

Shortening Course can happen when the weather turns bad, the wind turns bad, or for any other reason affecting safety or fairness. By its nature, shortening course happens with little or no warning. To shorten course, the race committee will display an "S" flag at the next available turning mark, sound two horns, and finish boats as they cross a line between the "S" flag and the mark. The rule is written like this:

32.2 If the race committee signals a shortened course (displays flag S with two sounds), the finishing line shall be, (a) at a rounding mark, between the mark and a staff displaying flag S; (b) a line the course requires boats to cross; or (c) at a gate, between the gate marks. 

32.2  The shortened course shall be signalled before the first boat crosses the finishing line.

The primary difference is that a change of course is done at the mark starting the leg that is changed. A change of the location of the next mark means the whole leg is changed. A shortened course happens immediately as soon as the "S" flag is displayed. There is no warning. The recommendation from US Sailing is that the signal to shorten course should be made as soon as the boat is on station and the competitors are close enough to hear and see the new line.

Always fun! Hope this helps.

Scoring Penalties

 

I know some of you are thinking "what is a scoring penalty?"

It's simply a way to allow competitors to exonerate themselves of an error on the course. If you know you messed up, you can do two turns as a penalty on the course. If you know you are right, you can make your case in a protest hearing. 

But what can you do if you find out you were wrong after you finish the race? That's where a scoring penalty can be helpful. You can exonerate yourself and there is no need for a protest hearing.

Click Here to read an example of taking a scoring penalty.

Why are scoring penalties allowed? It's part of the Sailing Instructions for WNR.

WNR 2020 - Participant Poll and Important Information

We live in unprecedented times. The WNR Steering Committee has been monitoring CDC, state, and local guidelines as we have made our decisions about WNR. We plan to resume WNR on August 5. 

While we work on updated NOR, SI's, and registration forms, please take a few moments to answer our informal poll. We want responses from as many WNR participants as possible, NOT just skippers/owners, so please share this post as needed. We know everyone has plenty of opinions and they will all be different. We would like to hear them.

It has always been, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each owner/skipper to decide whether to race. It is also the responsibility of the owner/skipper to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations, whether they are local, state, or WNR-specific mandates. Our ability to host WNR will depend on everyone involved.

As a heads-up, we will be requiring all participants - skippers AND all crew members - to sign a waiver. We also expect compliance with all local and state mandates, and CDC guidance, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

It will be everyone's collective, personal responsibility to follow all mandates, and we expect owners/skippers to ensure their crew is aware of, and complies with, mandates and best practices.

Stay tuned for updated NOR, SI's, registration forms, and the waiver.

Result of Protest from 7/12

Hi Everyone,

Here are the results of the protest from 7/12. We do not normally post the findings, but Jeff asked to have it posted. Since he is the protestee, I suppose that's okay.

This protest is related to SI rule 15 for how a boat can get a 10% bonus for declaring non-spin. This is also related to the new amendment to the SI for the same rule.

You can read it >HERE<

Amendment to the Sailing Instructions

Hi Everyone,

It turns out "no simple rule will go unpunished". We've had a handicap adjustment rule on the books for many years (probably since the late 80s) so that people could choose to race without a spinnaker and still be competitive. After last week's protest, it was requested that we change the rule to make it clearer what you could do and when.

Changing rules is never easy. We are posting an amendment to the Sailing Instructions with the change explained in detail. This new rule will go into effect August 2nd, 5:45 p.m.

You can see the amendment to the SI here  >HERE<

The change is basically this: The decision to get a handicap adjustment for non-spin must be made before the starting sequences. After the starting sequences, you cannot change your mind.

We are talking about these changes with the Steering Committee and may have an additional revision this year, or next year. We are also noting that we are losing competitors because of this rule. If additional changes are needed, we'll let you know.

If you have any thoughts or comments you want to share on the topic, feel free to use the comment section below.

Taking a Scoring Penalty

What is the change for this year?

US Sailing is changing the scoring penalty, so we are too. Now it will be a 30% penalty.

Wait - What is this?

If you look in the Sailing Instructions under section 12 (penalties), you will see that there is an option for penalties. You can do the normal thing when you foul someone and take two turns, or you could take a Scoring Penalty. This additional option can help you a lot.

What happens if you break a rule, but you don't realize that you're at fault until after the race? You have finished, so you can't take two turns. You don't want to get disqualified. What do you do? That's where the scoring penalty comes in to help you out.

How does this work?

Read my description >HERE<. The example shows how this can help you out. Just something to keep in mind when racing - If you really think you are in the right, take your time and research it. You can still exonerate yourself with a scoring penalty.

Just 3 days until we're sailing!

Barging and more barging

That darn wind just kept clocking to the south as we tried to get the starts off. That means the committee boat was more and more favored as the classes came up.

So what are the rules that apply for barging?

Well, RRS 11, 14, 16.1, sometimes 2, and the worst of it all is that dang preamble to section C. Is it easy to understand? Nope. What we need is some sort of expert on the racing rules who can make nice animated drawings to explain it to all of us.

Oh, wait - Jos Spijkerman did that for us.

http://rrsstudy.blogspot.nl/2014/03/back-to-basics-part-4-barging-i.html

http://rrsstudy.blogspot.nl/2014/03/back-to-basics-part-5-barging-ii.html


Thanks Jos!

So is Blue right or wrong?

Results from 9/17

Hi Everyone

Sorry, not much time today. That was a fun night of sailing for most people. Sorry for the light air.

You can see all the results >HERE<

Barging at the start

Just don't do it!

There seems to be a interpretation of the rules being shouted about at the starts on Wednesday Nights. I hear a lot of people calling for room at the signal boat at the start. The call usually goes, "the race has started now you have to give me room at the starting mark".

I'm no rules expert, but Dick Rose is a rules expert. Dick wrote an article about this specific topic. I encourage you to read it:

www.sailingworld.com/how-to/rules-starting-marks

Barging at the Start

You know, we see a lot of barging at the start. Crazy amounts of barging! Being so close to the water on Volunteer, barging makes us very nervous. I mean, where would we go if a big boat decided to plant itself right into the committee boat?

So are you a barger? Do you know the rules about barging?

Look To Windward did a great series on the rules relating to barging. Check it out here:

http://rrsstudy.blogspot.nl/2014/03/back-to-basics-part-4-barging-i.html

Grumbling on the Water

Grumbling about the Race Committee to your crew is a common past-time. Heck, I remember saying to my crew, "We'll never finish in the time limit", and "That mark is not at all upwind". In the heat of the noon-day sun, we often think that we might do better.

Generally, the Race Committee wants to know what you think of the races. Feedback can make the races better for everyone,
especially telling the Race Committee what you liked about the races. Pick a time when your feedback can be understood in a calm and relaxed environment.

What doesn't work is yelling across the water to the Race Committee. Unless there is a gross safety of fairness problem, it's best to leave the feedback to later. You want to be careful that grumblings don't turn into shouting matches. Be absolutely sure that all communication is free of obscenities and offensive characterizations. It could easily be construed as dissent.
There has been a lot discussion over the last year about Rule 2 and Rule 69 violations. One competitor was famously barred from racing for a Rule 69 breech. The Royal Yacht Association recently published a guide to Rule 69 that both competitors and Race Committee people might find useful.

RYA Misconduct Guidance
Flip through it and check out Appendix A. Make sure your crew understands that respect for the sport includes respect for other competitors and Race Officials.

Marshall

New Racing Rules Seminar

Hey folks,
Remember that there is a Racing Rules Seminar this weekend at theMiles River Yacht Club on Saturday from 1-4 pm.
Space is limited, so be sure to make reservations with the Club (Margo401-745-9511). This session is $20 and includes lunch.
Marshall

The Class Is On!

The Miles River Yacht Club is hosting a Racing Rules seminar on March 7, 2009. The seminar will run from 1-4 pm and will cost $20.
Butch Ulmer of UK Haulsey Sails to bring participants up to speed on the new rules for this year. As there are major changes in the rules it is a great time to catch up with the rest of the fleet and break bread and have a beverage with the greater sailing community.
Hopefully there will be a good turnout from the Herring Island and Log Canoe fleets as well as the Wednesday Night Racers! If I find that advanced registration is required, I'll let you know. you can also contact the club at 410-745-9511.
Marshall

Interesting Videos

If you're interested in checking out some videos about the new Racing Rules of Sailing, Matt Knowles over at SailGroove has put together a few. There is a good description of The Zone, Room to Tack, and the ever exciting effects of deleting Rule 17.2.

Seriously, if you're a visual kind of person, there is a lot to check out.

Marshall

Rule 18 applies at Marks

But what is a mark?

According to the definitions a Mark is:

An object the sailing instructions require a boat to leave on a specified side,
and a Race Committee boat surrounded by navigable water from which the starting
line of finishing line extends. An anchor line or an object temporarily or
accidentally attached to a mark is not part if it.

Well, that’s not bad. All the tetrahedrons and government marks listed on the course board are marks. The committee boat is also a mark and that makes sense. What about the last sentence? Anchor lines are not part of the mark. While it is not advisable to hit the anchor line of a mark (because soon after you will likely hit the mark itself), hitting the anchor line is not a foul on its own.

What is this object that is temporarily attached to the mark? It is the dreaded “barging-mark”! So, the rules are saying that a barging mark is Not part of the starting mark. So if it is not part of the mark, can you hit it? Why, yes you can. Should you? It’s not a good idea. If you were to tangle in the barging mark, you could touch the committee boat and that would be a foul.

Remember for Wednesday Night Racing, we have a special rule in the Sailing Instructions that says the penalty for hitting and doing damage to the committee boat or people on-board is disqualification. If you do it more then once, you could be asked to not return by the steering committee. Touching the committee boat is a foul, but hitting the committee boat will get you protested by the RC and disqualified. Be Safe!

So, it’s Rule 18 for all Marks?
Not quite. There are other exclusions. Let’s look at the preamble of Section C (just before Rule 18). It says that Rules 18, 19, and 20 “do not apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water...” Therefore, while the committee boat is a mark of the course, Rule 18 Does Not apply at the committee boat. You cannot call for Mark-Room at the committee boat, or the pin end.

Rule 18 also does not apply when boats are on opposite tacks on a beat to windward. If you’re approaching the windward mark and you’re on Port, you have a problem. The port-tack boat has to give way the same as if there was no mark. 18.1(a)

Rule 18 also does not apply when the two boats are on opposite tacks and the proper course for one of the boats is to tack. This happens when the windward mark is rounded to Starboard. Even if a port-tack boat is on the lay-line approaching the windward mark, starboard boats have right of way. The port-tack boat has to give way the same as if there was no mark. 18.1(b)

Rule 18 does not apply when one boat is approaching and the other is leaving the mark. In this situation, rights are determined as if there was no mark (sound familiar?). 18.1(c)

Lastly, Rule 18 does not apply if the mark is a continuing obstruction. In that case, Rule 19 applies instead. This rule doesn’t really come into effect in Wednesday Night Sailing because we don’t have any marks that are continuing obstructions, but you might run into it elsewhere.

Fortunately, these exclusions are all the same as in the 2005-2008 rules.

It’s a mark and Rule 18 is not excluded
So, it’s a mark and you’ve determined that Rule 18 is not excluded. Now what? The old rules said Rule 18 applies when “boats are about to round or pass a mark”. The new rules say it applies when “When at least one of them is in the Zone”. Ah, the Zone. We talked about that before. The Zone is now three boat-lengths of the boat nearer to the mark.

There are two changes here. First, the Zone is now three boat-lengths as we discussed before. Second is that the definition changed some. Now it applies when one of the boats is in the Zone. This is the same meaning as before, but it is clarified by wording the rule better.

When does Rule 18 apply?

Okay, we know when it doesn’t, but when does Rule 18 apply? When one of the boats reaches the Zone. Not before the Zone, but it applies when either boat is In the Zone.

So, what happens?
If boats are overlapped When the first boat reaches the Zone, “the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room...” 18.2(a) Okay, that’s good. If you’re on starboard coming into the windward mark, and to windward of you there is an overlapped boat at the time you get to the Zone, you can ask for mark-room. (You remember mark-room from the last post). From that point on, regardless of what happens In the zone, the outside boat will give you room to approach and pass the mark.

What if you are leeward, but there is no overlap when you reach the Zone? 18.2(b) says that, if there is no overlap, the boat clear-astern when the first boat reaches the zone, shall give mark-room to the boat clear-ahead. If you are clear-ahead, the boats clear-astern need to give you mark-room. If others were clear-ahead, you need to give them mark-room.

Even if you loose the overlap inside the zone, you still get mark-room. Rule 18.2(c) says that, even if the overlap is broken, you are entitled to mark-room. As long as you were entitled to mark-room when you entered the zone, you are entitled to it always.

Unless you pass head-to-wind. 18.2(c) also says that, if you pass head-to-wind, you loose rights. No tacking in the Zone! If you pass head-to-wind, you loose the rights you gained by being overlapped at the zone.

Next post, we’ll talk about the weird cases for rounding marks including what happens at a gybing mark.

Marshall