WADeRs Race Rules
GOLDEN RULE: BE GOOD. If you behave in a
manner that is deemed 'not good' you will be disqualified. 'Legal'
does not qualify as 'Good.' This isn't Enron. Don't be an ass.
1. HAVE FUN. These are Puddle Duck Racers
here, keep the race in context.
2. PORT/STARBOARD: When boats on opposite
tacks meet, the boat on port tack must keep clear. This is the
most fundamental rule in sailing.
3. WINDWARD/LEEWARD: When boats are on the same tack, two
rules apply:
- windward boat keep clear
- overtaking boat keep clear (also see #8)
4. CHANGING TACKS: While you are tacking, you must keep
clear of other boats that are not tacking. If you acquire the right-of-way
over a nearby boat with a tack or gybe, you must give that boat
reasonable room and time to react.
5. AVOIDING COLLISIONS: Even when you have the right of
way, you must avoid collisions. Boats involved in a collision may
continue to race only after getting out of the way of other boats
and sailing a complete circle. The Golden Rule will be
vigorously applied in the case of collisions.
6. BUOY ROOM: When you round or pass a mark other than a
starting mark, you must give room to round that mark to any boat
that has an inside overlap on you as you get near (within two boat
lengths of) the mark.
7. BARGING: The "buoy room" rule does not apply
at the start line. Do not barge there by reaching in and squeezing
between a boat to leeward of you and a start line mark. If you do
not have room on the line, you must tack and come around again.
8. OVER EARLY: If any part of your boat is across the start
line when the start signal is made, you must restart: sail clear
of other boats, sail back around the pin or the committee boat,
and re-cross the line.
9. DEFENDING AGAINST OVERTAKING BOATS: If a boat tries to
pass you to windward, you are entitled to defend your lead by luffing
up as far as head-to-wind, but you must give the windward boat room
to keep clear (see also item #4). If a boat tries to pass you to
leeward on a reach or run, you may not make life even tougher for
that boat by sailing below the course to the next mark.
10. TOUCHING A MARK: If you touch a mark, you may continue
to race only after getting out of the way of other boats and sailing
a complete circle.
11. RULE INFRINGEMENT: You are officially racing and therefore
bound by the racing rules from the 5-minute start warning until
you have cleared the finish line. If you break a rule, you may exonerate
yourself by sailing clear of other boats and sailing a complete
circle.
Above rules shamelessly stolen from
the Classic Mariners' Regatta at Port Townsend and then modified
to fit our organization.
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