Rules

John has been a racing sailor for over 25 years, and has relearned the rules each time that the ruling body changes them. Before my time, he raced San Francisco Bay, the Hawaiian Island waters, offshore Florida, the Caribbean, and across oceans, and has always insisted on the same adherence to the complicated racing rules from the competitors on the pond.

However, in trying to build a new fleet, it is important for everyone's fun that we have understandable and even handed rules. The following, espoused by the president of the world of sailboat racing, certainly ought to work at the fun level in our ponds without becoming too complicated. After all, we should be able to remember 10 simple things.

However, John thinks there should be a rule, or Commandment 11, a penalty for touching any mark. See his comments under Rounding Marks and below!

Duck Soup, for John Rowley

Paul Henderson, President of the International Sailing Federation, ISAF, calls for use of ten simple racing rules for sailing:

In talking with Ding Schoonmaker and others, we have often expressed ISAF's concerns that the Racing Rules are too complex for those sailors who love the sport and compete just for the shear enjoyment of the game at home. In many sports there are simple rules for the recreational competitor as distinct from the Elite International Competitors. Sailing should do the same. I stood up and cheered when I saw the clear set of simple rules proposed by Don Becker, US Sailing Senior Judge, who challenges us all by offering the following:

A dozen simple Racing Rules: (the red ones are mine)

1) Port keeps clear of starboard.
2) Windward keeps clear of leeward.
3) The boat astern keeps clear of the boat ahead.
4) A boat Tacking or Jibing keeps clear of one that is not.
5) Avoid collisions. Racing Rules are defensive to prevent collisions not offensive racing tactics.
6) If you gain right of way or change course, give the other boat time to keep clear.
7) The inside boat(s) at four boat lengths from the mark is entitled to room to round the mark.
8) A boat that is backing up or not racing keeps clear.
9) If you have violated a rule, take a penalty.
10) It is better to give way than to spend hours in a protest room.
11) If you touch a mark you owe the fleet a 360 degree turn at the earliest moment you can get clear of the fleet.
12) If you start the race before the gun, you must go back around one of the starting bouys and re-start.

I believe that ISAF and Member National Authorities should publish these rules as the broad base Commandments and also Sailing Clubs should also endorse these truly simple rules to encourage regional racing. Sailing is a participatory sport run by volunteers and this sure encourages those who love to go to sea to race and then return for good fellowship with their competitors. The best day you can have in your life is two great races, back to the club to smile a lot, rehash the race and join together with other sailors who will become your lifelong friends.

Paul Henderson
President ISAF

Racing Rules of Sailing is the site to visit when you are ready for the real rules. No one will like you if you don’t know the rules, and the new rules are in effect as of April 1, 2001. RC Sailing and look at the rules. Be sure to look at Appendix E, special rules for radio control.

How about getting a boat or something?

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05/11/2004