Recommended Sailing Instructions

These notes are not part of the Sailing Instructions. The numbers below correspond with the entry numbers in the Sailing Instructions (SI). As one progresses from local to regional to national events, it is expected that a significant number of these entries will be removed, and that the SI will increasingly adhere to international standards for major regattas, as exemplified by the ISAF-RSD Standard Sailing Instructions.

1. An entry required by the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).
1. This is short way of complying with a required entry. It requires that the Notice of Race (NoR) comply with the requirements specified in RRS M1.1 When preparing an NoR for a major event, attention should be given to including any changes to the RRS. In these SI, such changes are indicated by the wording "RRS __ is changed in that", or words to that effect.
1. This satisfies a required entry.
1. This satisfies a required entry, specifying the standard starting procedure at AMYA regattas. Note that the current AMYA starting tape covers only the last minute of the starting sequence as defined by RRS E4.6. The required starting sequence begins with a preparatory signal followed in one minute by a warning signal, which is followed in one minute by a starting signal.
1. This entry legitimizes a common practice at local regattas. It should not be used at national events.
1. This satisfies a required entry. It also repeats a Rule because this is often an issue of contention. Its presence in the SI should assure that all skippers are aware of the exact location of the starting and finishing lines.
1. This entry advises skippers about the amount of racing to expect at an event.
1. This is an optional entry, perhaps titled the ‘honey do’ rule. It allows skippers to make family commitments. At national events, it may allow the after hours programs to begin on time, if that is an issue.
1. This spells out the scoring system, satisfying a required entry.
1. A scoring issue.
1. This entry is a time saver allowing more racing, and at least at local regattas has little abuse potential. It is remotely possible that this rule could affect the outcome of a major regatta, by perhaps allowing a boat to be scored as last place instead of DNF. If the issue is of concern to the Race Committee, this item should be removed.
1. This entry has to do with when launching or hauling out is permitted. Under Appendix E as written, boats scheduled to race may be launched, taken ashore, or re-launched at any time except during the 1 minute period before the start. This limitation was added by the RSD to remove a possible advantage of the swing rig. Such an advantage may be doubtful at least at local regattas, and removing the limitation in RRS E4.4 makes race administration easier. In other words, when this entry is used, one can haul out or launch at any time. For national events, and depending on the class raced, the Race Committee should consider the advantages and disadvantages of this entry. Note that removing it still allows the boats to be touched per RRS E4.4.
   
   This entry does not address when simply touching the boat is permitted. In the past, under old AMYA rules, touching the boat during the one minute prior to the start required the skipper to hold the boat until the start. Per RRS E4.4, as long as the boat is ‘ashore or at the water’s edge’ the boat may be touched at any time. In that this is the international standard, the old AMYA rule is not included here. (See ‘what is not included’ below for more information.
1. Without this entry, all instances of the word "race", used as a noun in Appendix A (Scoring) become "heat". This can result in wording difficulties with regard to scoring systems. This entry has the effect of preserving the word "race" in Appendix A.
1. This entry allows the ‘round the ends’ rule to take effect without the use of a code flag. When this rule is used, dip starts are not permitted, and boats ‘over early’ must sail around one end of the line to start properly. The usual winds at some venues may make this rule impractical. Also, for classes such as M’s and One Meters, this rule may not be consistent with the accustomed starting strategy used in the area. Nonetheless, such a rule can have significant benefits, especially for heavier boats that do not respond as quickly to the helm. In these cases, it helps prevent entanglements and fouls that otherwise frequently occur as a boat tries to sail directly through the oncoming fleet back to the starting line. It greatly penalizes ‘bargers’ who sail down the line on a reach, in that they are at risk of being pushed over and must now go around the end. In this way, the starts can become more uniform, with more of the boats lined up, sailing hard on the wind at the start. The rule also makes the RD’s job easier, in that having to keep track of whether or not the recalled boat went completely back across the line is not necessary.
1. Without this entry, the RD cannot delay a start because a few boats are not quite set up, or because the wind has not yet filled in, etc. Also, the racing cannot be abandoned, even if it is the consensus of the group, because of excessive wind and sea conditions. For local fleets, this could result in needless damage to the boats, as skippers keep sailing when they should retire from racing. This rule is not suitable for national events, where skippers come long distances to sail, and should be prepared for any eventuality.
1. Without this entry, no competitor in an event could coach a newcomer while he/she is racing. Perhaps even a hail such as "red boat is on starboard, watch out new blue boat" would be illegal. For local events, this is a significant burden for those trying to learn the game. For national events, this entry should be removed. How vigorously the Race Committee at these national events wishes to enforce the inevitable violations should be discussed beforehand.
1. This is a ‘bug fix’ for Appendix E, the wording of which was suggested by Nick Weall ISAF-RSD Racing Rules Committee Chairman. (The current RSD recommendation is worded in a slightly different manner, but does not significantly change the meaning.) Without this rule change, one could file a valid protest up to 5 minutes after the end of a heat, such that the protested boat would not have the option of accepting a 360 degree turn.
1. At many local regattas, it is not customary to wait 5 minutes between heats or races, in the interest of saving time and maximizing the racing. As Appendix E is written, a boat has 5 minutes after the end of a heat in which to notify the Race Committee of its intent to protest. Without this entry, the next heat or race could be well underway while a skipper still has an option of such protest notification regarding an incident in the previous race. The changed words ‘as soon as reasonably possible’ gives the Race Committee more flexibility. With this entry, the Race Committee may start the next heat or race when the competitors are on the course and ready and need not concern itself with late protest notifications while a race is underway. Since the Race Committee must now be told of the intent to protest ‘as soon as reasonably possible’ after the end of the heat, a protest filed well into the next race could be found invalid unless there was a good reason for the delay. This entry is most likely unsuited for national events where there is adequate help available.
1. The RRS do make allowance for verbally changing the sailing instructions, but the procedure must be stated in the sailing instructions per RRS 86. This entry satisfies that requirement. As an example of the use of this entry, suppose that the location of the protest hearing needs to be suddenly changed. Many clubs do not have a notice board on which to post such changes. For local events, such postings may be an unnecessary burden. At national events, provided there is adequate help and there is no anticipation of having to make any verbal changes to the SI, this entry can be deleted. If this entry is used, note that the RRS requires that verbal changes may be given "only on the water". It is suggested that one use his or her creativity in complying with this requirement. It is also suggested that if a notice board is available, verbal changes to the SI should be confirmed in writing and posted on the official notice board.
1. This entry is a reminder to help the Race Committee quickly decide what changes are permitted under the RRS and what changes are not. Unless the Race Committee is intimately familiar with the RRS, it can be difficult to immediately determine if a proposed change is permitted. In that this entry adds no new rule, but simply refers to the RRS, it may be removed if a club finds it not helpful.
1. This entry specifies a commonly used time limit, however this may be changed to suit local preference. Some might prefer a limitation on the total length of the race, as opposed to the wording here. This entry may conflict with specific rules in some equal opportunity racing systems (EORS), and may be removed or rewritten to remove the conflict, depending on the racing system specified for an event.
1. This rule allows the RD to change the course during the race, within certain limitations. It is recommended only for venues where the wind is very unpredictable. This entry is most likely not suitable for national events. If it is felt needed for such regattas, consideration should be given to choosing and alternate race site.
1. This entry enables the traditional AMYA ‘hold’ concept, but with the added restriction that a skipper is only granted one hold per day. Without this restriction, racing may be greatly delayed because of failures on poorly maintained boats. The entry requires that the skipper must ‘ask the Race Director to delay’ the next heat. A skipper that quietly says ‘hold’ at the far end of the dock does not meet this requirement. Also note that the time period, which is up to 5 minutes, begins at the time that the RD would have otherwise started the next race or heat. Using the full 5 minutes is not required. If there is strong local feeling about the wording of this entry, it may be changed. This rule does not change or replace RRS E4.11 (Time to Repair). E4.11 allows a boat that has been damaged while having the right of way up to 30 minutes to repair. Skippers and Race Committees should be aware that ‘holds’ as allowed by this entry, are not permitted at major international regattas.
1. This rule encompasses ‘narrow banding’ but more importantly, provides a rule that prevents skippers from using model aircraft frequencies. If an aircraft frequency were used and a model aircraft were to crash as a result, with or without damage to person or property, liability could ensue. This entry gives clubs a clear rule to enforce regarding the issue of illegal use of model aircraft or other frequencies.
1. This entry repeats a rule in the RRS, and as such, may be removed. It is included here because there may still some confusion in some areas about how many turns are required to absolve a boat of a rules infraction.
1. This entry also repeats a rule in the RRS, and may be removed if desired. Nonetheless, it does serve a purpose, at least at local regattas. At times, skippers may be reluctant to call contacts or other rules violations, resulting in what has been called a ‘bumper boat’ race. A gentle reminder by the RD that he or she can and will file a protest is often all that is necessary to smooth things out. When the RD is challenged about the right to file such a protest, having the rule handy in the SI, which hopefully all skippers have read, is an asset. At other times long arguments, and even shouting matches can occur. The ISAF rules, via RRS 2 (Fair Sailing) and RRS 68 (Allegations of Gross Misconduct) allow ample ways to deal with these problems. Just the reminder of the possibility of protest under these rules should be sufficient, but it is helpful if the offender knows ahead of time that even if his fellow skippers will not protest, the RD can.
1. When and where protests are heard should be a local option, and this entry allows that flexibility.

The old AMYA rules prohibited the boat from being removed from the water during the race (AMYA Regatta Procedures - 4). Therefore it was common to see skippers pull the boat up until just the keel bulb was immersed, in order to comply with the rules yet free the boat of weeds. The ISAF - RRS as modified by Appendix E make no such restrictions and thus conflict with old AMYA rules. In that the AMYA RRC has recommended that in case of such conflict, the RRS shall apply, no adaptation of the old AMYA rule (found in Regatta Procedures) is included in these SI. This means that haul-outs are governed by the rules as discussed in item #12 in the notes above.

Pushing or holding one’s boat before the start is not specifically addressed because abuse of such practice is rarely noted, and because it is covered under two rules, RRS 2 (Fair Sailing) and RRS 42.1 (Propulsion)

The use of binoculars by mark judges is also not addressed. If a Race Committee feels that such a restriction is required, the following entry could be considered: "Race observers shall not use enhancements to vision, such as binoculars, to identify contacts between boats or between a mark and a boat. However, such enhancements may be used to identify boat numbers following the incident." Nonetheless, at major international events even video taping by observers is used, and it becomes a useful tool in the reduction of protests, under the RSD System for Reducing Protests.

With regard to radio interference and limitations on transmitter use, it was felt that such restrictions are not necessary for every AMYA event. Although interference was a significant issue in the early days of the AMYA, current technology has significantly alleviated the problem. If there are no frequency conflicts, using a transmitter when other boats are racing should not cause difficulty, provided that skippers have legal equipment as required by RRS E5.5 and these Sailing Instructions. If there is an interference problem, E5.5 is quite broad, and allows the RD to protest a boat whose transmitter was on while not racing and was causing interference. However, at large events where frequency conflicts occur, the Race Committee may wish to include a restriction on transmitter use in the Sailing Instructions.

Social issues, such as the timing of lunch breaks, the time and place of the awards ceremony, etc. should be covered in a Sailing Instruction Addendum prepared for the specific event.

An entry that has the effect of making the accustomed AMYA oral protest hearing comply with the RRS as modified by the Sailing Instructions, was not included. Race Committees that wish to address this concern may include an entry similar to the following.

An additional entry might be:

The advantages and disadvantages of using such rules at national events should be carefully weighed. Instead of referring to RRS 63 and 64, specific parts of these rules may be referred to. In that these rules are found in Part 5, such changes to the RRS are permitted by RRS 86. If the change to RRS 61.2 is not used, a practical work-around is as follows: when a boat informs the RD that it wishes to file a protest, the RD will write the information of the race sheet and ask the skipper to initial the entry. This can be considered the near equivalent to filing a written protest. Simply asking for these initials can have a beneficial effect. The protesting skippers, after the excitement of several protest hails, are now confronted with the reality that their action will result in a protest hearing being held on their behalf and at their request. This should in no way discourage legitimate protests, but it may prevent some questionable ones.

LR, 3-20