CLYC Sailing Instructions

1

Rules
The current Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) – the prescription of the US Sailing Association – govern except as modified by these Sailing Instructions, which conform to those published by the Western Michigan Yachting Association.

1.1

A.  NCESA Scantling Rules govern the E-Scow class.
B.  IMCCSRA Scantling Rules govern the MC-Scow class.
C.  National Butterfly Scantling Rules govern the Butterfly class.

1.2

In the Junior Butterfly Fleet, there must be two persons aboard each boat, neither of whom may have reached age 17 prior to the first day of the series or regatta being sailed.  For educational purposes, beginning helmsmen may sail with crew older than age 16 in two races.

1.3

Crews may be changed at any time during a series or regatta.  Points and prizes will be awarded to boats.

1.4

The Race Committee for each fleet will be composed of the class Fleet Captain and the Sailing Masters on duty during the class races.

2

Entries
Eligibility requirements for boats are that helmsmen must be members of the CLYC in good standing.  Dues and all fees must be paid by the owners and/or helmsmen of the boats prior to racing them.  Crews are not required to be CLYC members.

2.1

Racing Numbers
Boats shall comply with the rules of their class association in regard to the allotment, carrying, and size of insignia, letters, and numbers.  The CLYC letters are “CR.”  E-Scow, C-Scow, and Wood-Pussy numbers will be assigned by the Fleet Captain and may be reserved by members for future use.  The MC-Scow and Butterfly numbers shall match the hull numbers, unless exceptions are approved by the Fleet Captain.  Should the Sailing Masters determine that a boat is not clearly identifiable or not in accordance with these stipulated requirements, the boat shall be ordered to correct any such deficiency prior to becoming eligible for competition, or, failing to do so, is subject to disqualification.

3

Notices to Competitors
Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located on the north west outside corner of the CLYC clubhouse.

4

Changes in Sailing Instructions
Any change in the schedule of races will be posted at least one week before it will take effect.  Other changes to the Sailing Instructions for specific races or series will be announced at a Skippers’ Meetings held immediately prior to the affected race(s).

5

Signals

5.1

Visual signals made ashore will be displayed on the yard of the CLYC flagpole.

5.2

Audible signals will be guns, except for a horn or whistle announcing one minute to a Warning Signal.

6

Schedule of Races
Races are scheduled as shown in the Racing Calendar published in the CLYC Telltale.  All races will be started on time unless the Sailing Masters determine that safety considerations or proper race management warrant postponement.  The times posted on the Racing Calendar are for Warning Signals.  When two or more classes are starting, the E-Scows will start first, then the MC-Scows, then the Butterflies, then the Wood-Pussies.  No Warning Signal for morning races will be made after 12:00pm, and no Warning Signal for afternoon races will be made after 4:00pm. 

7

Postponing or Abandoning Races

7.1

The Fleet Captain of each adult racing class (or a Sailing Master in the absence of the Fleet Captain) will decide whether conditions are suitable for racing.  When races are postponed because of weather, postponement will occur in minimum increments of 30 minutes. 

7.2

Junior Butterfly races will be postponed until a time scheduled for make-up races if (1) the wind is gusting above 15 miles per hour about one quarter mile off the CLYC pier or (2) if a Sailing Master, Fleet Captain, or Junior Fleet Senior Advisor decides that weather conditions are not suitable for racing.

7.3

If a Sailing Master decides that fewer than three boats are close enough to the starting line to be able to cross it at the starting signal, the race will be postponed for 15 minutes.  At least two yachts must cross the staring line in a legal manner to make the race official.

7.4

Postponement of a race will be indicated by two sound signals and hoisting the Answering Pennant on the Committee Boat.  The AP flag will be lowered, accompanied by a horn or whistle, 1 minute prior to the Warning Signal if none had been previously displayed, or 1 minute prior to the Preparatory Signal if a Warning Signal had already been displayed.

7.5

Abandonment will be signified by displaying code flag “N.”

8

Class Flags

9

Racing Area
Unless otherwise specified, the racing area will be in the western end of Crystal Lake in a zone judged by the Sailing Masters to optimize racing based on wind strength and waves.  Regularly scheduled exceptions are the Around-the-Lake Race and the Outlet-and-Back Regatta, for which the courses will be described in pre-race Skippers’ Meetings.  Whenever practical, Sailing Masters will position one mark within viewing distance of the CLYC dock.  One mark for Junior Butterfly races will always be positioned in view of the CLYC dock, unless weather conditions make this location impractical.

10

The Course

10.1

The usual course will be the Windward-Leeward Course shown below.  Exceptions will be the Round-the-Lake Race and the Outlet-and-Back Regatta.  The Triangle Course shown below may also be used.  A “2½ course” denotes three windward legs; a “1½ course” denotes two windward legs.  Class Fleet Captains (or a Sailing Master in the absence of a Fleet Captain) will decide which course is to be sailed prior to the warning signal, and the course will be posted on the Race Committee Boat at the starboard end of the line.  Length of race will be subject to wind and lake conditions.  Deviations from these courses will be announced in pre-race Skippers’ Meetings.

Windward-Leeward Course    Triangle Course

10.2

The first mark will be set prior to the preparatory signal and will not be changed unless a postponement is signaled.

10.3

There will normally be an offset buoy at the Weather Mark (mark 1);  both buoys must be rounded.

10.4

Leave all buoys to Port.

10.5

Any race in which no boat has rounded the first mark within 30 minutes after the starting signal will be abandoned.

10.6

Special Courses:  At the option of individual fleets, other courses may be sailed, e.g. the traditional CLYC courses to “Three Fingers,” “Assembly,” etc.  It shall be the responsibility of Fleet Captains to reach a consensus within their fleets to sail special courses, to arrange with the Sailing Masters for setting such courses, and to properly notify all boats of the courses to be sailed.

11

Marks
Marks will be orange inflatable spheres about 36” in diameter.  Offset marks will be orange balls about 18” in diameter.

12

The Start

12.1

Races will be started using RRS 26.1, System 2.  A white warning flag may be used in place of the yellow flag.  A horn or whistle will be sounded one minute before the Warning Signal, unless it is also the Starting Signal of a different class.

12.2

The starting line will be between a staff displaying an orange flag or shape on the Race Committee Boat at the starboard end and Mark 2 at the port end.

12.3

A boat may not start more than 10 minutes after her Starting Signal.

12.4

One Minute Rule in Effect:  RRS 30.1 will be in effect for all races.  No code flag “I” will be displayed.

12.5

Individual Recall will follow RRS 29.2, and code flag “X” will be displayed.  Verbal notification will be attempted.

12.6

General Recall will follow RRS 29.3 and will be indicated by three sound signals and code flag “First Substitute.”

12.7

Black Flag Rule (WMYA Version):  Following the displaying of a black flag, any boat over the line one minute before the start will receive a “DSQ” unless that boat restarts by going around either end of the starting line just like a start under the “One Minute Rule.”  If the boat fails to make a proper start she will be notified at the Windward Mark to retire from the race.  There will be no notification from the Race Committee that a boat is over the line.  If for some reason the race sailed under the Black Flag Rule does not finish, either because of a time limit, abandonment and re-sail, or other appropriate action, all competitors eligible to start and who may have been initially disqualified by the Black Flag Rule are again eligible to restart.

13

Mark Boats
The only buoys judged will be the Start and Finish.  Failure of a mark boat to be on station or to display her signal will not be grounds for redress;  this changes RRS 62.1(a).

14

Change of Course after the Start
A change of course after the start will be announced by two sound signals before the leading boat has begun the leg, although the new mark may not then be in position.  Any mark to be rounded after rounding the new mark may be relocated to maintain the original course configuration.  When in a subsequent change of course a new mark is replaced, it will be replaced with an original mark.

14.1

When code flag “C” is displayed at or near a mark, it indicates a change of course to the next buoy, although the new mark may not yet be in position.

15

The Finish
The Finish Line will be between Mark 1 and a staff displaying an orange flag or shape on the Race Committee Boat positioned at the starboard end.  After finishing, boats must stay clear of the Finish Line.

16

Penalty System
The 720° Turns Penalty will be used for MC-Scows and Butterflies, RRS 44.1 and 44.2.  The form of 44.1 and 44.2 will be used by E-Scows, except only one 360° turn must be made.

17

Time Limit
The time limit for all races will be 2 hours.  Boats that have not finished their race 15 minutes after their time limit has expired will all be given the same score.

18

Protests

18.1

To protest, boats must notify the Committee Boat in the area of the Finish line of the intent to file a protest.

18.2

Protests shall be written to include the contents specified in RRS 61.2 and shall be delivered to a Sailing Master or a CLYC Officer within 30 minutes after the time the last boat finishes the last race of the day for that fleet. 

18.3

Protests will be heard at the CLYC clubhouse in approximately the order of receipt and as soon as possible.

18.4

Protest Committees
Fleet Captains for each fleet shall appoint Protest Committees as needed, each with a Chairman, and at least two additional members.  None of the Committee members shall be an interested party to the protest being heard (RRS 63.4).  In the Junior Butterfly Fleet, the composition of the Protest Committee will be subject to approval by the Junior Fleet Senior Advisor.

19

Scoring

19.1

Scoring will be according to RRS A2.2 Appendix A Bonus Point Scoring System, except for DNF, and the 20% penalty system for acknowledged disqualifications:

            Place                          Points
               1                                0.0
               2                                3.0
               3                                5.7
               4                                8.0
               5                               10.0
               6                               11.7
         7 & above              position + 6 points
             DNS          # boats in SERIES + 7 points
             DNF           # boats in RACE + 7 points *
             DSQ          # boats in SERIES + 7 points

* -- This changes RRS A2.2

19.2

Throwout Races for scoring will be based upon the number of races actually completed by the fleet in a series or regatta:

19.3

For regattas, one race must be completed to award prizes.

20

Radio Communications
VHF radios will be allowed for all classes except Butterflies.  The Race Committee will use Channel 69.

21

Prizes
Prizes will be awarded in series of five or more and regattas of three or more participating boats.  Prizes will be awarded to E-Scow, MC-Scow, and Ladies Butterfly and Wood-Pussy skippers placing first, second, and third in regattas and series.  Prizes will be awarded to Junior Butterfly skippers and crews placing first, second, third, fourth, and fifth in regattas and series.

22

Safety

22.1

E-Scows shall sail with mainsail floatation installed.

22.2

A USCG Approved life jacket must be worn at all times by every Junior Butterfly sailor.

22.3

All sailors under the age of 17 must pass the CLYC Swimming Test in order to sail in a sanctioned event of any class.  The Swimming Test consists of remaining afloat in calm water for 15 minutes without a life jacket.

22.4

When a Junior Butterfly race is canceled due to weather conditions, all Junior Butterfly sailors will leave their boats on the CLYC beach and not sail their boats home.

22.5

USCG Approved life jackets must be aboard for all sailors in all classes, and they should be worn at sailors’ discretion.  It will be the sole responsibility of each boat to decide whether to start or continue a race.

22.6

At the discretion of the Fleet Captain or a Sailing Master, code flag “Y” will be flown to signify that all sailors must wear their life jackets.

22.7

Damage occurring to boats, whether under sail or moored, is the responsibility of the individuals involved.

22.8

All races will be followed by at least two CLYC safety boats, unless substitutes are specifically approved by the Club Fleet Captain, the appropriate adult Fleet Captain, or the Junior Fleet Senior Advisor.

23

Rule Changes
Permanent rule changes will be submitted to and approved by the Board of Directors.  The Fleet Captain of a specific fleet wishing a rule change will poll every member of his fleet and then submit in writing the specific change proposed.  Approved rule changes will be published in subsequent Sailing Instructions and, if enacted during the summer season, posted on the official notice board.