SAILBOAT RACING RULES & PROCEDURES

All scheduled races will be governed by International Yacht Racing Rules as adopted by US Sailing Association. Following are the underlying basics of the rules:

    Fundamentals: Help anyone in danger, and avoid collisions whenever possible.

    1.  Opposite Tacks: Starboard has right of way.

    2.  Same Tack: Leeward or clear ahead have right of way.

    3.  Changing Tacks: Boats tacking or jibing keep clear.

    4.  Limits: Right-of-way boats changing course or when gaining right of way
         must at first give others room to keep clear.

    5.  Giving room: Except at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water,
        outside boats must give room to those inside at a mark or obstruction.

    6.  At windward marks, Rule 1 (not Rule 5) applies to boats beating on opposite
         tacks.

A target starting time for the race is decided upon at the skippers meeting (9:00 AM the day of the race in the clubhouse). Final decisions are made out on Lake Michigan before the race by communicating via VHF channel 69. All times are referenced to GPS time and if there is no committee boat, each racer must keep a record of his finish time and report it to the race manager after the race. Races are handicapped using Lake Michigan PHRF ratings (non-spinnaker) with Time-On-Time scoring.

The race course is illustrated below. Depending on wind conditions, either the 3 leg (short) or the 5 leg (long) course is set. Also depending on conditions, the legs are either 1 mile or 1½ miles long.

The starting procedure is as follows assuming a 12:00 noon start time:

    10 minute warning        11:50    (one horn blast)
    5 minute warning          11:55    (two horn blasts)
    DIV. II  START          12:00    (one horn blast)
    5 minute warning          12:05    (two horn blasts)
    DIV. I  START            12:10    (one horn blast)
Note: Depending on the number of racers, DIV. I and DIV. II may start together at the DIV. I start time and there may be only one division (less than four boats).

General rules are as follows:
•    Jib booms are allowed.
•    Jib boom can be no longer than from jib tack to mast.
•    Jib boom may be set on opposite side from main boom.
•    No holding of jib booms allowed.
•    Maximum jib allowed is 155%.
•    No engines to be run after 10 minute warning.
•    Honor and Fairness rule each race.


             SAILBOAT RACE COURSES








Lake Michigan PHRF Organization

Our sailboat races are handicapped using the Non-Spinnaker Handicap issued to a sailboat by the Lake Michigan PHRF organization (LMPHRF). To be fair to all boats, each boat should have a certificate. It costs only $40 and can be obtained by going to the LMPHRF web site. Do not attempt to call them. Down load certificate form and follow the instructions. You will be issued a certificate that has the Non-Spinnaker Handicap number on it. You also would need this to participate in other club races.