Busy sailing weekend ahead
The series that was too fun to stop continues Friday. The six race White Cap Series had a possible make up race scheduled for this Friday. All six races were run, the series scored and completed, but no one could think of a reason not to have a race this Friday (May 17). Look for a dock start.

Over 20 multihulls, from hot little Weta tri's to the Formula 40, DRAGON, are scheduled to be racing in PT this weekend. A number of them are looking for crew for a Protection Island race on Saturday, and in-shore bay races on Sunday. The skipper's meeting will be at 8 AM on Saturday under the marina facing porch by the Shanghai and Pt Hudson Cafe. If you'd like to crew, that's where you should be, too.

Sailing Instructions

Download a copy of the 2013 PTSA Sailing Instructions in PDF format here.

2013 Sailing Instructions for PTSA Events

All races will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing, with no protests granted.
Note: Some rules have changed for 2013

IDENTIFICATION

Each boat shall approach the race committee before the start and identify themselves.

START/FINISH LINE

The starting and finishing line will be between the “RC” pennant on the committee boat and the inflatable orange pin. If the RC pennant is absent use the class flag.

When races are started from City Dock, the S/F line will be between the “RC” pennant on the dock and the permanent PTSA buoy “C”. (The buoy is considered the “pin.”)

THE START

A five minute starting sequence is used, as follows: WARNING – multiple horn blasts one minute before the starting sequence. One minute later SEQUENCE BEGINS – Class flag up, one horn blast. One minute later – PREPARATORY flag (“P”) up, one horn blast. Three minutes later – PREPARATORY flag down, one long horn blast. One minute later – START – Class flag down, one horn blast. Subsequent horn blasts indicate boats over early.

STARTING ORDER

If there are separate classes designated, the order of starting will be A, B, then C. The start for A will be the beginning of the sequence for B (“A” flag comes down and “B” flag goes up at the same time). If more than one class is starting together, BOTH of their flags will be held up at the beginning of the sequence (5 minutes) and dropped at their start.

COURSES

The course will be signaled by a row of letters displayed from the committee boat or from City dock. The first letter displayed is the starting pin (“S”) and the last is the finishing pin (“F”), and those in between are the rounding marks. “F” may be designated as a rounding mark. Start in the direction of the first mark after “S”. Pass each mark in the order displayed and pass it to Port unless the letter is underscored and striped, in which case it is to be passed to starboard. See the sheet “Marks and their labels on the letter board”

SHORTENING COURSE

Normally the only time a course will be shortened is when a multiple lap course is being used. The course can be changed to a single lap, indicated by flying the shortened course flag (“S”) from the committee boat or dock. In a multi-lap race ALL BOATS MUST pass through the START/FINISH line on EACH LAP. This is the ONLY time it is okay to cross the S/F line during a race (except when starting or finishing or if “F” is designated as a rounding mark.)

NUMBER OF LAPS

All courses are to be sailed once around, except when a number, such as “2”, follows the designation of a course. A number signals a multiple-lap course. Sail the course as many times as is indicated by that number and cross the finish line in between laps, in case the course is shortened. The race committee records each boat’s time for each lap in case no one finishes the last lap.

NUMBER OF RACES

Should a “2” precede the letters on the letter board there may be two races. Boats that have finished the first race must stay clear of the finish line until the last boat has finished. Racers should check the letter board before the second start in case the course has been changed.

WARNINGS

The red Point Hudson bell buoy is to be passed on the outside, or left to shoreward, except when being rounded (in which case the letter board will indicate how it is to be rounded).

Mark “D” must be kept to shoreward whether or not it is shown on the letter board unless it is designated as a turning mark. It is intended to keep racers away from the ferry. Even if the mark is missing, all boats are to stay at least 100 yards away from the ferry and ferry dock (Even if the dock is empty) at all times or risk disqualification.

TIME LIMIT

A boat not finishing within 2 hours of its start will be scored DNF (did not finish).

SCORING

Across the line finish times will be posted for all boats racing. Rated boats will also have their results handicapped.

RADIOS

All boats are encouraged to have radios and monitor channel 68. When there are long delays in starting, the RC will try to keep the fleet informed by radio in advance of a potential start time. Also, if a boat withdraws from a race or has difficulties they should notify the RC. The RC cannot respond to radio calls during a starting sequence.

FERRIES

Any boat(s) suspected of being the cause of a Ferry’s 5 or more horns (danger) during a race, will be disqualified from that race.

A FEW REMINDERS FROM THE COAST GUARD

Do not approach within 100 yards of any Washington State Ferry, tank ship, or naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards, you must contact the vessel on channel 16 (or 13 if it is a tank.) You must operate at minimum speed (okay so we’re sail boats) within 500 yards of any of the above vessels. Offenses are punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines. AND, if that’s not bad enough, you will also be disqualified from the race.

Rev. Mar. 2013