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Ocean Races

Mission Bay Yacht Club Ocean Races 

Sailing Instructions

  1. Rules:  These races shall be governed by the “rules” as defined in the

Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024.

  1. Entry and Eligibility:
    1. These races are open to all members of MBYC who wish to race in the ocean. Five or more boats are required in order to qualify as a class Fleet for a start.
    2. Eligible skippers must sign up online at www.mbycracing.com not later than 10:00 AM Saturday March 13.
  2. Notice to Competitors:
    1. Notices to competitors will be posted on mbycracing.com.
    2. Changes to the sailing instructions will be posted at mbycracing.com no later than 10:00AM Saturday March 13.
  3. Competitors Meeting:
    1. There will be no competitors meeting.
  4. Signals Made Ashore
    1. Signals made ashore will be displayed from the main deck flagpole of the MBYC clubhouse.
    2. When the AP flag is displayed ashore the meaning is “Racing is postponed. Do not leave the Club area.” The Warning Signal for the first race shall not be made less than sixty (60) minutes after the AP Flag is lowered.
  5. Signals Made Afloat
    1. In accordance with the RRS, oral changes to the Sailing instructions may be made on the water. A change is in effect when the Race Committee Signal Boat (RCSB) displays signal flags L over A with one sound signal meaning “come within hail of the RCSB” in order to receive oral changes.

 
  1. Schedule of Races.
    1. The Race Committee intends to complete three races depending on wind weather racing circumstances and at the discretion of the PRO.
    2. The warning signal for the first race shall be at 1200 Noon.
  2. Racing Area.
    1. The racing area shall be on the ocean approximately one nautical mile NW of the Mission Bay Channel Jetty.
  3. Class Flags.
    1. The class flags to be used will be the standard and usual class flags for the racing fleets/classes competing at MBYC.
  4. Check In:
    1. Before the start of racing all boats are required to check in with the Race Committee Signal Boat (RCSB) when code flag L is displayed by sailing past the stern on Starboard Tack. It is incumbent on each skipper of a racing boat to ensure they have been acknowledged.
  5. Courses:
    1. The courses shall be as described in  Appendix A of these instructions.
    2. The number of the course will be displayed on a display board on the stern of the Race Committee Signal Boat.
    3. All marks are to be left to Port. 12.Marks.
  1. Primary Windward Leeward Marks will be Orange Tetrahedrons.
  2. An Alternate windward mark shall be a yellow tetrahedron and will be used as a new W for a wind shift and when a Change of Course code flag C is displayed on a Race Committee Boat with multiple sound signals.
  3. The temporary alternate Yellow Mark will be replaced by an Orange Tetrahedron as soon as reasonably possible.
  4. For all boats in the multi hull class their windward leeward legs are separate from those of the monohull classes. The windward and leeward marks of the offset course legs will be yellow tetrahedrons. The Windward mark shall be a Yellow cylinder set some distance to windward of the standard Orange Tetrahedron windward mark. The Multi Hull Fleet will round the Yellow cylinder proceed to round the

 

windward mark of their offset windward leeward course complete the required laps and then proceed to finish.

  1. The Multi Hull Fleet shall use the standard Start and Finish lines.

  1. The Start:
    1. The Starts will be in accordance with RRS 26 with the following changes:
      1. There will be a THREE MINUTE START SEQUENCE.
      2. There will be an approximate one minute interval between start sequences.
    2. The Start line will be between an orange flag displayed on the RCSB and an orange flag displayed on a float at the port end of the line.
    3. As a courtesy to competitors the RCSB may call attention to the Warning Signal for the next class by signaling multiple sounds one minute before the Warning Signal.
    4. No boat shall start more than three (3) minutes after her starting signal.  Any boat starting later shall be scored DNS.
    5. The Starting Sequence and class flags shall be at the discretion of the PRO. Do NOT assume the start of any one class is in any particular position in the Starting Sequence from race to race.
  2. Recalls:
    1. Recalls shall be signaled in accordance with RRS 29.1 & 29.2.
    2. The Race Committee will attempt to hail boats that are on course side (OCS) at the start of a race by loud hailer or VHF radio.
    3. There shall be no grounds for redress under RRS 62 if there is no hail, if there is failure to hear the hail, and /or there is some debate about the timing or the order of the hail.
  3. The Finish:
    1. The Windward Finish Line for all competitors including Multi Hull Fleet shall be located i one hundred yards to the windward and starboard of the Orange Tetrahedron Windward Mark.
      1. The finish line will be between a blue flag on a Race Committee Boat and a blue flag on a floating staff as indicated in Appendix A.

 
  1. Time Limit:
    1. The time limit for finishing each race shall be one hour.
    2. Boats failing to finish within twenty minutes of the first boat of the same class shall be scored DNF.  This changes RRS 35.
  2. Scoring:
    1. Scoring will be in accordance with the low point scoring system in Appendix A of the RRS.
    2. Exception:  If less than 4 races are sailed there will be no throw out.
    3. One race shall constitute a Regatta.
  3. Protests:
    1. A boat intending to protest must notify the Race Committee upon finishing the race in question and must identify the boat being protested by sail number.
    2. Protests must be submitted in writing on forms available in the MBYC office and must be lodged within 30 minutes of the posted time of the return of the RCSB to the dock.
  4. Communication:
    1. All competitors are encouraged to carry a VHF radio. RRS 41 and 60.1a are hereby modified in order to prohibit a competitor from protesting another if this practice is a violation of class rules.
    2. Radios may be used in transmit mode in the event of an emergency requiring assistance or in order to notify the Race Committee of a boat’s intention to retire from racing.
    3. Radios may be used in receive mode at all times. However , radios are NOT to be used for any communication between competitors during racing and should not be used to gain any unfair advantage regarding conditions, tactics, or strategy from an outside source when racing.
    4. The primary radio channel to be used is Channel 71, secondary Channel 69.
  5. Courtesy Broadcasts:
    1. A Designated person aboard the Race Committee Signal Boat may report to competitors on the established VHF radio channel certain information regarding pending start sequences, course number, bearing to the windward mark, and/or visual signals displayed by the Race Committee as a courtesy to competitors.

 
    1. Such broadcasts are a courtesy to competitors and Do Not in Any Way alter the competitor’s responsibility to observe and comply with Race Committee’s visual signals which govern the conduct of racing.
    2. Errors or omissions on the part of the designated person performing the courtesy broadcasts shall not be grounds for redress.
  2. Safety:
    1. Check In: Each competing boat is required to Check In with the Race Committee Signal Boat when it is displaying signal flag L prior to the first warning signal for racing of the day. Boats shall check in by sailing by the stern of the RCSB on starboard tack.
    2. Retiring Boats: Retiring boats shall notify the Race committee of their intent to retire kat their first opportunity. They may do this by VHF radio, in person to a member of the Race Committee, or if safety requires to the front desk of MBYC as soon as possible upon return to the Club.

Joe O’Leary

Principal Race Officer

Click here for Appendix A Course Chart