SYC Sailing Handbook 2014

Sailing Handbook 2014 3rd draft published 30 April 2014

SYC Sailing Hand Book 2014. Page 2

HANDBOOK CONTENTS RYA RACING CHARTER ...................................................................................................................... 5

Objectives .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Principles and Practices......................................................................................................................... 5

SPRING SERIES - Classification: Inshore............................................................................................. 6

SPRING PURSUIT SERIES - Classification: Inshore. ........................................................................... 6

SOLENT RACE - Classification: Long Inshore. ..................................................................................... 7

SINGLE HANDED RACE - Classification: Inshore ................................................................................ 7

TALA HINNA RACE - Classification: Long Inshore. .............................................................................. 7

FECAMP RETURN RACE - Classification: Offshore. ............................................................................ 7

BLACK ROCK RACE - Classification: Long Inshore (Open Event) ....................................................... 8

SUMMER SERIES - Classification: Inshore........................................................................................... 8

WEDNESDAY EVENING SERIES - Classification: Inshore. ................................................................. 8

SUMMER PURSUIT SERIES - Classification: Inshore. ......................................................................... 8

DOUBLE DIAMOND RACE - Classification: Long Inshore. ................................................................... 9

SYC SUMMER REGATTA - Classification: Inshore (Open Event) ........................................................ 9

PACTOLUS RACE - Classification: Offshore ........................................................................................ 9

SEAWAY TROPHY - Classification: Offshore ....................................................................................... 9

FERGUSON RACE - Classification: Long Inshore (Open Event) .......................................................... 9

LADY HELM RACE - Classification: Inshore. ........................................................................................ 9

LITTLEHAMPTON RACE - Classification: Long Inshore..................................................................... 10

CREW`S RACE - Classification: Long Inshore .................................................................................... 10

AUTUMN PURSUIT SERIES - Classification: Inshore ........................................................................ 10

AUTUMN SERIES - Classification: Inshore ......................................................................................... 10

AUTUMN REGATTA - Classification: Inshore (Open Event)............................................................... 11

CHRISTMAS CRACKER - Classification: Inshore ............................................................................... 11

HO’S PINTA - Classification: Inshore. ................................................................................................. 11

APPENDIX 1 S.Y.C. MANDATORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT .............................................................. 22

ISAF Category 4 Equipment ................................................................................................................ 22

Category 3 + Life-raft Requirements – All of the Category 4 Requirement Above Plus....................... 23

APPENDIX 2 NHC RULE 2014 .......................................................................................................... 25

2014 Rallies ......................................................................................................................................... 37

Solent Rally.......................................................................................................................................... 37

Talla Hina / PHAB................................................................................................................................ 37

West Country Rally .............................................................................................................................. 37

Pactolas Rally ...................................................................................................................................... 37

St Valery Rally ..................................................................................................................................... 38

Littlehampton Rally .............................................................................................................................. 38


2014 SEASON RACING DIARY EVENT DATE H/W START

Spring Series 1 Sun 9 March 04:36 & 17:11 – 4.6m 13:00 Spring Pursuit 1 Sat 15 March 10:35 & 22:53 – 5.7m 10:00 Spring Series 2 Sun 16 March 11:09 & 23:27 – 6.0m 10:00 Spring Pursuit 2 Sat 22 March 02:24 & 14:48 – 5.8m 10:00 Spring Series 3 Sun 23 March 03:11 & 15:42 – 5.5m 13:00 Spring Pursuit 3 Sat 29 March 10:04 & 22:28 – 6.2m 10:00 Spring Series 4 Sun 30 March 11:49 & - - 6.5m 11:00 BST Spring Pursuit 4 Sat 5 April 03:28 & 15:51 – 5.5m 15:00 Spring Series 5 Sun 6 April 04:09 & 16:35 – 5.1m 13:00 Spring Pursuit 5 Sat 12 April 10:21 & 22:42 – 5.2m 10:00 Spring Series 6 Sun 13 April 11:00 & 23:19 – 5.6m 11:00 Sussex Regatta at SYC Fri 18 April 01:45 & 14:07 – 6.4m TBA Sussex Regatta at SYC Sat 19 April 02:25 & 14:50 – 6.2m TBA Sussex Regatta at SYC Sun 20 April 03:11 & 15:38 – 5.6m TBA Sussex Regatta at SYC Mon 21 April 04:01 & 16:33 – 5.6m TBA Spring Pursuit 6 Sat 26 April 09:50 & 22:17 – 5.7m 10:00 Spring Series 7 Sun 27 April 10:42 & 23:05 – 6.0m 11:00 Solent Race Fri 2 May 01:44 & 14:06 – 6.1m 11:00 Single Handed Race Sun 11 May 09:35 & 21:58 – 5.1m 10:00 Tala Hinna Sat 17 May 01:28 & 13:54 – 6.5m 11:00 Royal Escape Race Fri 23 May 07:11 & 19:49 – 5.2m TBA Fécamp Return Race Sun 25 May 09:26 & 21:52 – 5.5m 10:00 local Black Rock Sun 1 June 02:00 & 14:22 – 5.9m 11:00 Summer Series 1 Sun 8 June 07:41 & 20:13 – 4.9m 11:00 Wednesday Series 1 Wed 11 June 10:32 & 22:54 – 5.7m 19:30 Summer Pursuit 1 Sat 14 June 00:27 & 12:54 – 6.6m 11:00 BMYC Regatta Sat 14 June 00:27 & 12:54 – 6.6m TBA BMYC Regatta Sun 15 June 01:15 & 13:42 – 6.6m TBA Summer Pursuit 2 Sat 21 June 06:43 & 19:19 – 5.3m 10:00 Round The Island Race Sat 21 June 06:43 & 19:19 – 5.3m TBA Wednesday Series 2 Wed 25 June 10:46 & 23:05 – 5.5m 19:30 Double Diamond Sat 28 June 00:26 & 12:48 – 5.9m 11:00 Summer Series 2 Sun 29 June 01:02 & 13:25 – 5.9m 11:00 Summer Pursuit 3 Sat 5 July 04:54 & 17:23 – 5.2m 15:00 Summer Series 3 Sun 6 July 05:47 & 18:18 – 5.0m 11:00 Wednesday Series 3 Wed 9 July 09:04 & 21:32 – 5.3m 19:30 SYC Regatta Sat 12 July 11:51 & - - 6.4m TBA SYC Regatta Sun 13 July 00:12 & 12:39 – 6.6m TBA Summer Pursuit 4 Sat 19 July 05:11 & 23:59 – 5.6m 09:00 Summer Series 4 Sun 20 July 06:11 & 18:43 – 5.0m 11:00 Wednesday Series 4 Wed 23 July 09:32 & 21:57 – 5.0m 19:30 Pactolus Race Fri 25 July 11:13 & 23:30 – 5.4m TBA Summer Pursuit 5 Sat 2 August 03:36 & 15:58 – 5.4m 14:00 Cowes Week 2 – 9 August Summer Pursuit 6 Sat 9 August 10:43 & 23:07 – 6.0m 10:00 Summer Pursuit 7 Sat 16 August 03:49 & 16:14 – 6.0m 14:00 Summer Series 5 Sun 17 August 04:39 & 16:14 – 5.5m 10:00 Seaway Trophy Sun 24 August 11:31 & 23:45 – 5.6m TBA Ferguson Race Sat 30 August 02:30 & 14:49 – 6.0m 12:00 Summer Series 6 Sun 31 August 03:05 & 15:26 – 5.8m 12:00 Lady Helm Sun 7 September 10:26 & 22:51 – 6.2m 11:00 Littlehampton Race Sat 13 September 02:36 & 14:57 – 6.5m 12:00 Crews Race Sun 14 September 03:19 & 15:41 – 6.0m TBA


Autumn Pursuit 1 Sat 20 September 09:37 & 22:00 – 4.9m 13:00 Autumn Series 1 Sun 21 September 10:25 & 22:43 – 5.2m 10:00 Autumn Pursuit 2 Sat 27 September 01:31 & 13:48 – 6.3m 11:00 Autumn Series 2 Sun 28 September 02:06 & 14:23 – 6.2m 11:00 Autumn Pursuit 3 Sat 4 October 07:57 & 20:31 – 5.2m 12:00 Autumn Series 3 Sun 5 October 09:08 & 21:37 – 5.2m 10:00 Autumn Pursuit 4 Sat 11 October 01:30 & 13:49 – 6.7m 12:00 Autumn Series 4 Sun 12 October 02:11 & 14:29 – 6.3m 11:00 Autumn Pursuit 5 Sat 18 October 07:47 & 20:19 – 4.6m 12:00 Autumn Series 5 Sun 19 October 08:54 & 21:20 – 4.8m 10:00 Autumn Regatta Sat 25 October 00:32 & 12:49 – 6.3m TBA Autumn Regatta Sun 26 October 00:08 & 12:25 – 6.4m TBA GMT Autumn Pursuit 6 Sat 1 November 05:15 & 17:53 – 5.1m 11:00 Autumn Series 6 Sun 2 November 06:36 & 19:12 – 5.3m 11:00 Autumn Pursuit 7 Sat 8 November 11:48 & - - 6.6m 11:00 Autumn Series 7 Sun 9 November 00:10 & 12:27 – 6.5m 11:00 Christmas Cracker 1 Sun 23 November 11:27 & 23:49 – 6.4m 11:00 Christmas Cracker 2 Sun 30 November 04:58 & 17:30 – 5.3m 10:00 Christmas Cracker 3 Sun 7 December 11:29 & 23:52 – 6.2m 11:00 Christmas Cracker 4 Sun 14 December 03:55 & 16:16 – 4.9m 13:00 Christmas Cracker 5 Sun 21 December 10:25 & 22:51 – 6.1m 11:00 Ho`s Pinta Sun 28 December 03:35 & 16:00 – 5.7m 13:00


RYA RACING CHARTER Objectives

To provide the framework for everyone to enjoy the sport of sailboat racing in whatever capacity and to whatever level the individual desires.

To ensure that the sport of sailboat racing welcomes all people and treats them equally.

To ensure that those who experience sailboat racing are encouraged to continue.

Principles and Practices The sport welcomes all participants; it relies largely on self-compliance and self-policing.

Those that deliberately take unfair advantage of this or behave in an inappropriate manner, either on or off the water, can expect action to be taken against them.

Competitors agree to compete in compliance with the rules and behave in accordance with accepted standards of sailboat racing. When involved in a genuine dispute, all parties to the dispute and those deciding the matter will use the established procedures for achieving resolution.

Foul or abusive language, intimidation, aggressive behavior or lack of respect for others and their property will not be tolerated.

Organizers, officials and other providers of sailboat racing agree to provide the fairest racing possible. This includes encouraging feed-back and facilitating the resolution of genuine disputes (including protests) in a timely and proper manner.

Coaches and other advisers agree to encourage their competitors to compete, and behave in compliance with the above principles and practices.

This Charter applies equally to those who organize, manage, coach, advise, judge, provide services and compete (including those who support competitors) in sailboat racing. The RYA encourages the adoption and implementation of this Charter, and provides guidance and support to individuals and organizations to assist implementation. This guidance and support is consistent with the practices of the International Sailing Federation.


RACING OVERVIEW & NOTICES OF RACE 2014 This overview is intended to function as a guide for SYC yachts and as Notice of Race for each of the individual events/series. The races described in the overview are organised by the Sussex Yacht Club and are governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing, The Equipment Rules of Sailing and the SYC General Sailing Instructions* and for yachts racing IRC the current rules of the IRC rule. Emails and Notices Any changes to these races will be communicated to owners/skippers by means of email messages so it is vital that all skippers/owners lodge valid email details with the SYC Sailing section at [email protected]. It is the yachts responsibility to ensure that email messages from this address can be received. Classifications and Eligibility The classifications given for each event refer to the race category/series and the safety classification. Participants must comply with the safety requirements. Unless described as an open event all SYC racing events are closed events for SYC yachts only. Those wishing to join in with our racing should note that new skippers and racing crews qualify for the 2014 SYC Introductory New Active Member Scheme, delivering savings on joining SYC - details on website.

SPRING SERIES - Classification: Inshore. A series of seven ‘round the cans races’. Courses will be set by the Race Officer on the day with an expected 1½ - 2 hour race duration. Spring Series One Sun 9 March Spring Series Two Sun 16 March Spring Series Three Sun 23 March Spring Series Four Sun 30 March Spring Series Five Sun 6 April Spring Series Six Sun 13 April Spring Series Seven Sun 27 April

SPRING PURSUIT SERIES - Classification: Inshore. A series of six fun races held on Saturdays. Sailing instructions can be found on the Southwick notice board before each day’s race. For further details on Pursuit Racing contact David Skinner. Spring Pursuit Series One Sat 15 March Spring Pursuit Series Two Sat 22 March Spring Pursuit Series Three Sat 29 March Spring Pursuit Series Four Sat 5 April Spring Pursuit Series Five Sat 12 April Spring Pursuit Series Six Sat 26 April


SOLENT RACE - Classification: Long Inshore. Friday 2 May – Start 11:00 Race No.1 of the Long Inshore Series. Start on the Old Fort Line, mark 2 to starboard, Mixon beacon to starboard, Street to Starboard and then to the finish. A boat finishes when she crosses a line drawn between the eastern sides of Horse Sand Fort and No Man`s Land Fort. Boats should take their own finish time. Boats not entering Portsmouth to join the Solent Rally Fleet should contact another competitor with their finish time as soon as possible on Ch. 37. Further sailing instructions may be made by the Race Officer on the day.

SINGLE HANDED RACE - Classification: Inshore Sunday 11 May - Start 10:00 A course will be set by the Race Officer on the day.

TALA HINNA RACE - Classification: Long Inshore. Saturday 17 May - Start 11:00 The course will be set by the Race Officer on the day and will finish when a boat crosses a line drawn between BMYC 1 and the end of Brighton Marina entrance western arm. Boats should take their own finish time and those not entering Brighton for the rally should contact a fellow competitor on Ch. 37.

FECAMP RETURN RACE - Classification: Offshore. Sunday 25 May - Start 10:00 (local) Description. Start line to be agreed with SRF with details published on the Royal Escape Race Notice Board in Fécamp on by 20:00 Saturday 24 May. Course: Greenwich Light Vessel to starboard, Finish. A boat finishes when mark East (SYC) left to starboard bears 180°, take your own finish time. Finish times must be sent by text message within 2 hours of finishing to Tim Cork on 07850 328234 (or an alternative contact nominated on the day and published on the notice board in Fécamp).


BLACK ROCK RACE - Classification: Long Inshore (Open Event) Sunday 1 June –Start 11:00* Part of the Long Inshore Series where suitable courses will be set for both Yachts and Dinghies competing in separate fleets. The traditional course is Start line, BMYC1 to Starboard, Finish. * Start time and other details may be adjusted to safely accommodate shipping movements. Will be confirmed no later than Thursday 22 May with details published on SYC website. The Race Officer may set a different course on the day which may include a committee boat start/finish.

SUMMER SERIES - Classification: Inshore. A series of six ‘round the cans races’. Courses will be set by the Race Officer on the day with an expected 1½ - 2 hour race duration. Summer Series One Sun 8 June Summer Series Two Sun 29 June Summer Series Three Sun 6 July Summer Series Four Sun 20 July Summer Series Five Sun 17 August Summer Series Six Sun 31 August

WEDNESDAY EVENING SERIES - Classification: Inshore. This is a series of five `round the cans` races on Wednesday evenings with races set on the day by the Race Officer and starts planned for 19:30. Wednesday One Wed 11 June Wednesday Two Wed 25 June Wednesday Three Wed 9 July Wednesday Four Wed 23 July

SUMMER PURSUIT SERIES - Classification: Inshore. A series of seven fun races held on Saturdays. Sailing instructions can be found on the Southwick notice board before each day’s race. Summer Pursuit Series One Sat 14 June Summer Pursuit Series Two Sat 21 June Summer Pursuit Series Three Sat 5 July Summer Pursuit Series Four Sat 19 July Summer Pursuit Series Five Sat 2 August Summer Pursuit Series Six Sat 9 August Summer Pursuit Series Seven Sat 16 August For further details on Pursuit Racing contact David Skinner.


DOUBLE DIAMOND RACE - Classification: Long Inshore. Saturday 28 June - Start 11:00 Start old fort line, WP,3P,4P,6P,WP,1P,4P,6P,1S, Finish on the old fort line. Boats should take their own finish time. Times should be sent by text message within 1 hour of finishing to a mobile number to be advised on the day.

SYC SUMMER REGATTA - Classification: Inshore (Open Event) Saturday 12 July and Sunday 13 July This one-off open regatta will comprise five races over two days with the SYC summer party to enjoy on the Saturday evening. A separate Notice of Race will be published for this regatta.

PACTOLUS RACE - Classification: Offshore Friday 25 July - Start TBA The intention is to run the traditional Pactolus Race on this date subject to a minimum of six competitors declaring an interest. Those yachts intending to race must email their intent to [email protected] no later than Friday 4 July 2014 with confirmation published on the SYC website Saturday 5 July 2014. Course: Start Lancing line, No1 P, Greenwich Light Vessel P and then to the finish at Fécamp, with boats taking their own finish time in BST with declaration handed to nominated boat in Fécamp on arrival. The finishing line extends 3 cables Westward bearing 105° true from the pier head of the Western harbour arm at Fécamp. Boats must finish by crossing the line heading in a Southerly direction and may make use of the waypoint 49º 45.928 N, 00º 21.564 E which falls close to a point midway along the finishing line. Event is closed for SYC yachts with a special invitation to SRF yachts to participate.

SEAWAY TROPHY - Classification: Offshore Sunday 24 August - Start TBA A course will be set by the Race Officer on the day.

FERGUSON RACE - Classification: Long Inshore (Open Event) Saturday 30 August - Start 12:00 A course will be set by the Race Officer on the day. Separate classes for yachts and dinghies. Separate NOR will be published for this event.

LADY HELM RACE - Classification: Inshore. Sunday 7 September - Start 11:00 The helm must be a lady member and the course will be set by the Race Officer on the day.


LITTLEHAMPTON RACE - Classification: Long Inshore Saturday 13 September - Start 12:00 This is the final race of the Long Inshore Series. Start on Old Fort line, West to port, (4) to starboard, (2) to port, Rustington weather station to starboard, finish on a transit with the end of Littlehampton western arm and the lighthouse on the eastern side of the harbour and within ½ mile. Yachts should take their own time. Those not entering Littlehampton for the Rally should contact another competitor on Ch. 37.

CREW`S RACE - Classification: Long Inshore Sunday 14 September - Start time TBA The helm for this race must be a club member and have sailed on the yacht this season. The start time and course will be set from Littlehampton back to Shoreham and will be announced on the pontoon the morning of the race.

AUTUMN PURSUIT SERIES - Classification: Inshore A series of seven fun races held on Saturdays. Sailing instructions can be found on the Southwick notice board before each day’s race. Autumn Pursuit One Sat 20 September Autumn Pursuit Two Sat 27 September Autumn Pursuit Three Sat 4 October Autumn Pursuit Four Sat 11 October Autumn Pursuit Five Sat 18 October Autumn Pursuit Six Sat 1 November Autumn Pursuit Seven Sat 8 November For further details on Pursuit racing contact David Skinner.

AUTUMN SERIES - Classification: Inshore This is a series of seven ‘round the cans` races. Courses will be set by the Race Officer on the day with an expected 1½ -2 hour race duration. Autumn Series One Sun 21 September Autumn Series Two Sun 28 September Autumn Series Three Sun 5 October Autumn Series Four Sun 12 October Autumn Series Five Sun 19 October Autumn Series Six Sun 2 November Autumn Series Seven Sun 9 November


AUTUMN REGATTA - Classification: Inshore (Open Event) Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 October This one-off Regatta will be five races over two days with a party to enjoy on the Saturday evening. Separate notice of race will be published for this event.

CHRISTMAS CRACKER - Classification: Inshore This is a series of five ‘round the cans’ races, based on NHC handicaps as at the end of the Autumn Series which may be adjusted through the event. Enjoy a fun series to end the season. Christmas Cracker One Sun 23 November Christmas Cracker Two Sun 30 November Christmas Cracker Three Sun 7 December Christmas Cracker Four Sun 14 December Christmas Cracker Five Sun 21 December Courses will be set on the day. Bottle prizes for all boats competing

HO’S PINTA - Classification: Inshore. Sunday 28 December - Start 13:00 A stand-alone fun race to blow away the post Christmas blues. The course will be set by the Race Officer on the day.


YACHT OF THE YEAR The SYC `Yacht of the Year Series is designed to find the top yacht at SYC. It will be

awarded to the best overall performing yacht in the inshore, long inshore and offshore series.

Inshore Series: Races are designated inshore series races to count towards the yacht of the year trophy

• Spring Series • Summer Regatta • Summer Series • Autumn Series • Autumn regatta

18 of the 30 races planned from these series will count towards the Yacht of the year trophy on a 1x points factor

Long Inshore Series: Races are designated long inshore series races to count towards the yacht of the year trophy

• Solent Race • Tala Hinna • Black Rock • Double Diamond • Ferguson Race • Littlehampton Race

4 of the 6 races planned from these series will count towards the Yacht of the year trophy on a 4x points factor

Offshore Series: Races are designated long inshore series races to count towards the yacht of the year trophy

• Royal Escape • Pactolus Race • Seaway Trophy

2 of the 3 races planned from these series will count towards the Yacht of the year trophy on an 8x points factor

Points factor Because there are a different number of races in each series, a points factor is being given to the long inshore and offshore series of races. The points factor will make the same number of points available for each series. For example: `Boat A` wins 16 races in the inshore series scoring 16 points . `Boat B` wins 4 long inshore races scoring only 4 points. This is clearly unfair, because both boats have won all their races in each series. The points factor applied to the long inshore of x4, will raise Boat B’s points from 4 to 16 (4 points x 4 = 16 points).


SCALE OF CHARGES All races throughout the 2014 season will be charged at £6.00 per race, except for the following: CHRISTMAS CRACKER £10.00 for the 5 race series (there is no reduction if fewer races are sailed). PURSUIT SERIES & WEDNESDAY EVENING SERIES All races at £3.00 per race. Invoices will be issued to competitors from the SYC Office periodically throughout the year and should be paid promptly. RACE OFFICER DUTIES Yachts that support the racing program by performing Race Officer duties will be scored RO in the results and will be exempt for charges for that race. DECLARATIONS Declaration forms are available from the SYC website - please print and use. FLEET AND HANDICAP LISTING The most up to date SYC fleet list with NHC and IRC handicaps can be found on the SYC website. RACE OFFICERS GUIDE AND STANDARD COURSES It is the intention of the Racing Section to publish through the website a separate document as a guide to Race Officers in 2014 which will also include a range of standard courses. If a Race Officer elects to use a Standard Course the RO will as a matter of course broadcast the entire course on Ch 37 as normal.


RACING CHART 2014 You can download this chart from the SYC website where you can also check for position updates - marks have been known to move!


GENERAL SYC SAILING INSTRUCTIONS 1. RULES

1.1. These Sailing Instructions shall prevail in absence of alternative Sailing Instructions.

1.2. Racing will be governed by the current version of: a). ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS); b). The prescriptions of the RYA Racing Charter; c). The prescriptions of IRC; d). SYC Safety Equipment Rules; e). These sailing instructions; f). Notice of Race together with any supplementary sailing instructions.

1.3. Where safety rules of the above named organisations conflict the higher specification shall prevail.

1.4. A yachts sail number shall be consistent for all races of the series unless written permission is granted from the Race Committee. No yacht will be permitted to display different sail numbers on any part of the yacht at the same time.

1.5. Where a conflict between languages exists the English language will take precedence.

2. SAFETY 2.1. Boats may be measured or scrutinized before or after any race at the discretion

of the Sailing Committee. 2.2. Any boat found not to comply with a relevant SI may be referred to the Sailing

Committee and may be disqualified from the race without a hearing. This changes RRS Rule 63.1.

2.3. An SYC inspection does not confirm a yachts compliance with the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations. Compliance is the sole responsibility of the individual skipper/owner of the boat concerned.

3. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY 3.1. Attention is drawn to the ISAF RRS, Part 1 Fundamental Rules and ISAF

Offshore Special Regulations 2013 - 2016 Rules Section 1.02. 3.2. The safety of a boat and her entire management and insurance shall be the

sole responsibility of the owner/skipper racing the boat. He/she must ensure that the boat and her crew are adequate for conditions that may arise during the course of a race. Neither the establishment of these sailing instructions nor the inspection of the boat prior to, during, or after a race, in any way limit or reduce the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor for the safety of his/her boat and crew.

3.3. Neither Sussex Yacht Club nor individual race organisers shall be held responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, howsoever caused.

3.4. All yachts shall be covered by Third Party Liability Insurance for a minimum of £2,000,000 and be covered for racing risk.

3.5. All boats shall be entered by and have on board whilst racing, a member of the Sussex Yacht Club, except by invitation or by way of a race being designated an ‘Open Event’.


3.6. For a boat to be eligible to race, she shall have a NHC or IRC rating, unless otherwise permitted in supplementary sailing instructions.

3.7. Boats shall carry a distinguishing number on both sides of her mainsail as prescribed in ISAF RRS No. 77.

4. START TIMES AND DELAYING RACES 4.1. All classes shall start at the time prescribed in the SYC fixtures card unless

amended by supplementary sailing instructions or on the club notice board. 4.2. Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted on the notice board before

09:00 on the day it will take effect or two hours prior to the prescribed start time, whichever is the earlier, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 20:00 on the day before it will take effect.

4.3. Any changes to the sailing instructions may be communicated to owners/skippers by means of email messages so it is vital that all skippers/owners lodge valid email details with the SYC Sailing section at [email protected]. It is the yachts responsibility to ensure that email messages from this address can be received.

5. COURSE MARKS AND SIGNALS 5.1. Course marks, which are not navigation buoys, will be either:

a). Yellow or orange cylindrical buoys; b). Yellow spar buoys; c). Black, orange, pink or yellow spherical buoys.

5.2. For names and positions of fixed marks see the racing chart. 5.3. Details of courses not previously published will be displayed on the notice

boards or transmitted, via VHF Ch.37, 20 minutes prior to the start time. 5.4. Where a committee boat start is used she will be identified by flying a large

SYC burgee. 5.5. No sound signals will be made from the beach. Attention to Race Signals may

be given on VHF Ch.37. This changes Rules 26, 27, 29, 32 and 33. 6. CLASS IDENTIFICATION FLAGS

6.1. Unless otherwise advised in supplementary sailing instructions all yachts shall fly a code flag 2 pennant from the backstay if fitted, or other suitable highly visible point at the stern of the yacht.

7. RACING AREA 7.1. Inshore racing will take place in the English Channel between the western arm

of the port of Shoreham in the east, Worthing Pier in the west, and five miles offshore in the south. The start area will be within two miles of the western arm of the port of Shoreham. Offshore racing will use a racing area defined by the individual race descriptions and Notice of Race.

8. OBSTRUCTIONS 8.1. The main shipping channel to the south of the entrance to the port of Shoreham

is designated as an obstruction. 8.2. The area covered by radius of 200m adjacent to the entrance to Shoreham

Harbour is excluded from the race area in order general marine traffic may navigate the approach to Shoreham Harbour.


9. STARTING AND FINISHING PROCEDURES 9.1. Unless otherwise stated in supplementary sailing instructions, races will be

started from either a committee vessel or the club starting mast situated approximately ¾ mile west of the harbour entrance. A large SYC burgee will be flown from the mast. The start line will be a line extending seawards from the mast through an orange transit mark set on the beach and there will be an ODM. When West (W) mark is used as the ODM the line will be referred to as ‘LANCING’. When East (E) mark is used as the ODM the line will be referred to as ‘OLD FORT’. An alternative ODM may be laid.

9.2. All starting procedures will be in accordance with ISAF RRS No. 26. Attention may be drawn to signals via VHF Ch.37. A verbal countdown may also be given.

9.3. Individual recalls will be in accordance with ISAF RRS No. 29.2. The names and/or sail numbers may be announced via VHF Ch.37.

9.4. General recalls will be in accordance with ISAF RRS No. 29.3. The start of subsequent classes may be delayed accordingly.

9.5. Unless otherwise stated in supplementary sailing instructions, the finish line is a line extending seawards from the club mast through an orange transit mark set on the beach and there will be an ODM. The ODM of the finish line may not necessarily be the same as the ODM of the start line. When West (W) mark is used as the ODM the line will be referred to as ‘LANCING’. When East (E) mark is used as the ODM the line will be referred to as ‘OLD FORT’. An alternative ODM may be laid. When a race is finished without a Race Officer in attendance ‘LANCING’ line will be formed between West mark and the club mast and ‘OLD FORT’ line between East mark and the club mast.

10. GATE STARTS 10.1. A gate start shall not be used where the wind angle is greater than 45 degrees

either side of a line drawn between the Gate Buoy and the First Mark of the course. The First Mark of the course shall be to windward of the Gate Mark.

10.2. The ‘Gate Boat’ may be a competing yacht in the race. 10.3. The Race Officer shall make clear the Start Buoy via the Course

Announcement. 10.4. The Start Line shall be a line formed between the Stern of the Gate Boat and

the Gate Buoy after the Start Signal. 10.5. The Gate Boat shall time her approach to the Gate Buoy to coincide with

arriving at the Gate Buoy at the Start Time, to facilitate timing of arrival at the Gate Mark at the Start Time the Gate Boat may take advantage of using engine propulsion under RRS Rule 42.3(h) up to time of the Start Signal.

10.6. At the Start Time, the Gate Boat shall adopt a heading Close Hauled on a Port Tack and maintain such heading until the Start Period has expired.

10.7. During the Start Period competing yachts shall keep to leeward, and keep clear, of the Gate Boat.

10.8. The Start period shall be defined as commencing at time of the Warning Signal and ending at such time all competing yachts have crossed the Start Line, or 2 minutes after the Start Signal, whichever is the lesser time.


11. TIME LIMITS 11.1. There will be no time limits except as indicated on supplementary sailing

instructions. 12. DECLARATIONS

12.1. 12.1 In races where supplementary sailing instructions indicate the finish is either not at the club finish line or the Race Officer has stated that all boats are to take their own time, the Race Officer will nominate a boat to act as the designated boat. Declarations will then be required. Any boat not finishing the race must inform the Race Officer or designated boat. When required, declaration forms can be printed via the club website and must be completed and deposited at the SYC Office or handed to the Race Officer or submitted to the designated boat.

12.2. The time limit for such a declaration will be within two hours after the boat finishes.

12.3. Competitors not returning to Shoreham or the set destination may ‘sign off’ by notifying the race control, or designated Race Officer at the set destination by VHF.

13. DNF’S AND RETIREMENTS 13.1. A boat failing to finish or retiring (after acknowledgement of an infringement of

the Rules) from a race shall signify her intention by flying her Ensign and draw the attention of the Race Officer to their DNF or retirement.

14. RACE VALIDITY 14.1. A race shall be valid if at least three boats rank as starters. 14.2. Where less than three boats rank as starters, the race will be abandoned and

not re-sailed. 15. PENALTY SYSTEM

15.1. Where an OCS score, a disqualification under RRS Rule 30.3 or a penalty under Appendix P does not apply, a yacht that has broken a rule of RRS Part 2, RRS Rule 31 or RRS Rule 42 with exception of use of engine power, may, after finishing and before a protest is heard, accept a scoring penalty under RRS Rule 44.3.

15.2. The scoring penalty shall be 2 places except that such a penalty shall not result in a score worse than DNF.

15.3. A yacht that has taken a penalty under RRS Rule 44.1 or a yacht accepting a scoring penalty under RRS Rule 44.3 shall complete the Penalty Form of Appendix i of these Sailing Instructions, within the protest time limit; copies of the Penalty Form are available from the club office.

15.4. As provided in RRS Rule 67, the Race Committee may, without a hearing, penalise a yacht that has broken RRS Rule 42.

15.5. In the event a yacht is disqualified as a result of a protest this shall be scored as “DNF”.


16. PROTESTS AND REQUESTS FOR REDRESS 16.1. Where a competitor, protest committee or member of the race team is subject

of an incident relating to a rules infringement and where said party has no wish to register a protest or a request for redress, said party may request an advisory hearing via the Series Officer or member of the Race Committee. The Series Officer or member of the Race Committee shall notify any additional parties involved in the incident, arrange for an adviser and call a hearing to learn the circumstance of the incident. The Advisor will state whether any rule may have been broken, and by which party. A decision by the advisor is for educational purposes.

16.2. With exception of RRS Rule 66; where a protest is registered, the defending party may request, or, the Series Officer, member of the Race Committee or Protest Committee may recommend, RYA Arbitration. If the parties concerned and the protest committee agree that RYA Arbitration is suitable a single arbitrator will hear the evidence and decide whether or not a rule has been broken, and, if so, which rule(s) and why. The arbitrator will invite the person-in-charge of the yacht that appears to have broken a rule to accept an Exoneration Penalty. Where an Exoneration Penalty is accepted, the yacht that takes a penalty shall not be penalised further with respect to the same incident unless she caused injury or serious damage or gained a significant advantage. Where an Exoneration Penalty is not accepted, the protest hearing may follow; however, the offer of accepting an Exoneration Penalty shall remain open until time of the hearing and, if taken before the hearing, will avoid the possibility of disqualification.

16.3. Protests shall be notified to the Series Officer or member of the Race Committee as soon as possible which, in all cases, shall be no later than 90 minutes (60 minutes for Evening races) after the yacht has finished the last race of the day - this changes RRS Rule 61.3.

16.4. Notices will be posted no later than 30 minutes after the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses.

16.5. Notices of protests by the race committee will be posted to inform yachts under RRS Rule 61.1(b).

16.6. A first protest hearing shall take place not later than 4 weeks following the date of protest. Date of any subsequent hearing shall be notified at the first hearing.

16.7. A list of yachts that, under Article 14.5 of these Sailing Instructions, have been penalised for breaking RRS Rule 42 will be posted before the protest time limit.

17. RESULTS 17.1. A list of results, which may be subject to protest, will be posted on the Sussex

Yacht Club website (www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk) and the Sailing section notice board at Shoreham as soon as possible after the race clearly marked “Provisional”. These will then be subject to ratification by the Sailing Section Committee.

17.2. Races, which finish at an away port, will be calculated by a designated Race Officer at the finish and be posted on the SYC website (www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk) and the Sailing Section notice board at Shoreham at the earliest opportunity.


18. SCORING 18.1. All races will be scored using the low points system as prescribed in Appendix

A of the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). 18.2. Where a yacht does not compete in a race in a series because of Race Officer

duties that yacht will be awarded her average points scored per race in that series.

18.3. A provisional list of results will be available as soon as possible after the last yacht has finished and will be posted on the Sailing Section Notice Board.

18.4. Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series. 18.5. a). When fewer than 4 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will

be the total of her race scores. b). When from 5 to 6 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score. c). When 7 or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.

19. USE OF ENGINE 19.1. Engines may not to be used after the preparatory signal. 19.2. An engine or power pump may be used to charge batteries or operate bilge

pumps. 19.3. An engine may be used to assist in the recovery of a man overboard, to render

assistance or in any other emergency. Full details to be reported in writing with the race declaration.

20. RENDERING ASSISTANCE 20.1. If, during the course of a race, a boat ceases racing, temporarily or otherwise,

to go to the assistance of another vessel or person, redress may be requested in accordance with ISAF RRS Part 5.

21. ALTERATION TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS 21.1. The Sailing Committee reserves the right to amend these instructions and any

published supplementary instructions in accordance with ISAF RRS No. 88.2. 21.2. In the event of an alteration whilst boats are at sea and prior to the start of a

race, International Code Flag ‘L’ will be flown from the flagstaff or committee boat. It is the competitor's responsibility to ensure he is aware of the alteration by VHF or hailing.

22. NOTICE BOARD 22.1. Any reference in these instructions to notice boards means the sailing section

notice boards in the Shoreham Club House and Southwick Club House. 22.2. Notices to competitors will be made on either the Sailing Section notice boards

in the Shoreham Club House or Southwick Club House. 23. WASTE DISPOSAL

23.1. Boats shall not put rubbish/waste in the water.


23.2. Yachts must remove rubbish/waste from Southwick moorings for disposal at home.

24. RADIO COMMUNICATION 24.1. The race channel shall be Marine Band VHF Channel 37. 24.2. During the race, the Race Committee call-sign shall be ‘SYC Race Control’. 24.3. General announcements to competitors shall be announced using the call-sign

‘SYC Race Fleet’. 24.4. Except in an emergency, a yacht shall neither make radio transmissions while

racing nor receive radio communications not available to all yachts. This restriction also applies to portable radio-telephone equipment.

25. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY 25.1. Competitors participate in the race entirely at their own risk. See RRS Rule 4,

Decision to Race. The organising authority do not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the race.

26. BEHAVIOUR 26.1. Skippers of all yachts associated with the Sussex Yacht Club and/or sailing

under the SYC banner will be held responsible for the behaviour and actions of their crew at all times during such events. Any misbehaviour that is deemed likely to bring the name of the Sussex Yacht Club into disrepute will result in immediate action, which could result in that yacht being banned from taking part in any event associated with the Sussex Yacht Club.

27. USE OF SELF STEERING 27.1. Boats sailing with 1 or 2 persons on board may use any type of self steering

gear.


APPENDIX 1 S.Y.C. MANDATORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT All SYC yachts participating in races must comply with the following safety equipment requirements: 1. All boats (regardless of class rules) shall provide buoyancy aid/lifejacket for each crew

member as follows: 1.1. at least 150N buoyancy, arranged to securely suspend an unconscious person

face upwards at approximately 45 degrees to the water surface - in accordance with ISO 12402 - 3 (level 150) or equivalent (for persons of larger than average build the ISO 12402 - 2 (level 275) jacket should be considered).

1.2. equipped with a whistle. 1.3. fitted with marine grade retro-reflective material (OSR 4.18). 1.4. to include safety harness or compatible with the wearer's safety harness. 1.5. a crotch strap or thigh straps. 1.6. a lifejacket light in accordance with SOLAS LSA code 2.2.3 (white, >0.75

candelas, >8 hours). 1.7. if inflatable have a compressed gas inflation system.

2. Where a race is classified by the Club as ‘Inshore’ or ‘Long Inshore’, ISAF/ORC Special Regulations, Category 4 Requirements will apply except for such boats of a recognised one design having a Class Association that provides safety regulations of an equivalent standard and relevant to the design; in such a case the boat must comply fully with the Class Association’s safety regulations; in addition, the skipper/owner(s) must hold current membership of the Class Association. Please Note: items marked (L) in the list below are recommended for inshore races however only mandatory for long inshore races.

3. Where a race is classified by the Club as ‘Offshore’, either ISAF/ORC Special Regulations, Category 3 + life-raft requirements will apply, as stated in the notice of race.

4. A boat may be inspected for compliance with safety requirements at any time by a Scrutineer appointed by the Sailing Committee for that purpose.

ISAF Category 4 Equipment It is strongly recommended that owners and skippers familiarise themselves with the regulations for construction, accommodation, safety and stability, servicing of safety gear, training and advisory requirements. A copy is available in the Club Office or can be downloaded from the Offshore Special Regulations within the rules section of the ISAF website www.sailing.org. The table below summarises the main mandatory equipment requirement:

Anchor and tackle (readily accessible).

Bilge Pump.

Two bucket (of at least 9 liters) each with lanyard.

Charts (navigation, non-electronic) and light-list.


Compass (installed), magnetic, marine (independent of power).

Echo-sounder or lead-line.

Two fire extinguishers, in date (readily available and located in different parts of boat).

First aid kit and manual.

Fog horn.

Heaving line in cockpit, 15-25m (50ft-75ft).

Knife (cockpit), readily accessible.

Lifebuoy with drogue and automatic light or life sling with automatic light.

Life-lines.

Navigation lights (working - must not be masked by sail or heeling) and spare bulbs.

Pyrotechnic (handheld flare), red, 4qty (in date).

Pyrotechnic (smoke canister), orange 2qty (in date).

Radar reflector (Passive, 9GHz band).

Radio receiver capable of receiving weather forecasts.

Sails (main and jib), storm and heavy weather. (L)

Softwood plugs (adjacent to all individual) sea cocks, valves & hull fittings).

Tool kit (including suitable rigging cutter) and spare parts.

Torch, white, hi-powered (spotlight) watertight, with spare batteries and bulbs. (L)

Torch, white, watertight, with spare batteries and bulbs.

Washboards with lanyards.

Diagram of location and stowage of safety equipment clearly displayed below.

All lifebuoys and buoyant equipment marked clearly with name of boat and (marine grade) retroreflective material.

Category 3 + Life-raft Requirements – All of the Category 4 Requirement Above Plus

Anchor and ground tackle, (additional - applied to Yachts over 8.5m).

Bulbs, spare (for navigation lights).

Clipping points.

Compass, spare (may be hand-held).

Cooking stove, permanently installed or securely fastened (with safe accessible fuel shutoff control and capable of being safely operated in a seaway).

Electronic Position-Fixing System (e.g. GPS).

Engine, capable of providing min speed in knots (1.8 x square root of LWL in meters).


Fuel, engine (for 8 hours motoring).

Jackstays.

Life Raft (In-date, to accommodate all the crew, with retro reflective patches).

Navigation lights, reserve (same intensity as primary navigation lights with independent power source and wiring).

Pyrotechnic (parachute flare), red, 4qty (in date).

Radio transceiver, marine (if VHF, output 25 watts or more with masthead aerial).

Radio, emergency antenna.

Radio, hand-held marine VHF transceiver, watertight or with a waterproof cover (when not in use to be stowed in a grab bag or emergency container).

Radio, independent of a main radio transceiver (a radio receiver capable of receiving weather bulletins).

Safety Harness, (a strap or tether for each crew member to accompany the safety harness)

Speedometer or log.

Steering - Demonstrable method of steering in case of rudder loss.

Tiller, emergency use.

Toe rails on the foredeck, abreast of the mast.

Toilet or fitted bucket.

Water tank - Installed and delivery pump.

Water, emergency, drinking, 9 liters in sealed containers.

A grab bag as specified in ISAF Offshore Special Regulations is recommended but not compulsory.

Diagram of location and stowage of safety equipment clearly displayed below decks.


APPENDIX 2 NHC RULE 2014 Preamble NHC is a rating rule providing racing for classes of boats that allows advertising in

accordance with ISAF Regulation 20, Advertising Code.

Terminology A term used in its defined sense is printed in “bold” type if defined in the ERS (ISAF

Equipment Rules of Sailing), in “italic” type if defined in the RRS and in “underscore” type if

defined in NHC Rules. Any abbreviation given in Appendix 1 is used in its defined term

unless specified otherwise.

Part A Rule Policy

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. NHC is a rating rule based upon owner-supplied information and will remain

secret. The emphasis is on simplicity and concise rules. Yachts handicaps will be amended on a weekly basis as per the prescriptions of the RYA.

2. FUNDAMENTAL POLICY 2.1. NHC is a system of measurement that classifies a broad range of cruising and

racing ballasted monohull keel boats for competition by providing ratings comprising single figure allowances based on time.

2.2. NHC encourages design innovation consistent with stability, rounded performance seaworthiness and safety.

2.3. NHC discourages unnecessary expense at all levels. 2.4. The spirit of NHC requires that owners and designers shall not seek means of

artificially reducing the rating of a boat, e.g. increasing performance without a corresponding increase in rating.

2.5. Calculation of NHC ratings is secret and contains subjective elements. Subjective judgment where exercised is the sole responsibility of the Rating Authority (as defined in Rule 4.1).

2.6. NHC ratings may rely on owner submitted data (see Rules 8.4 and 9) but a Rule Authority (as defined in Rule 4.1) may require that boats be weighed and measured by an appointed measurer for certificates issued under their jurisdiction. Some or all of the dimensions of class production boats may be standardised.

2.7. Any exploitation of the inherent simplicity of the NHC Rule will be discouraged. 3. IMPORTANT NOTICE

3.1. The safety of a boat rated under NHC and its entire management including insurance shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/competitor who must ensure that the boat is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy, and operated by a


crew sufficient in number and experience who are physically fit to face bad weather. The owner/competitor must be satisfied that: 3.1.1 The hull, hull appendages, spars, rigging, sails and all gear are sound. 3.1.2 All safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and in date. 3.1.3 The crew know where such equipment is kept and how it is to be used. The ultimate decision on whether or not to race remains the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner or the owner’s representative.

3.2. None of the establishment of these Rules, their use by race organisers, the issue of a rating certificate under these Rules, nor any inspection of the boat under these Rules shall constitute any representation or warranty by the Rating Authority as to the seaworthiness of any boat or the safety of any gear and shall not in any way limit the absolute responsibility of the owner/competitor referred to in Rule 3.1. This notice shall be brought to the attention of any person who sails on a boat in respect of which a rating certificate has been issued under these Rules.

3.3. Ratings issued under NHC are calculated in good faith from the data available. Neither the Rating Authority nor any Rule Authority shall have any liability whatsoever for any error in the application of these Rules or the determination of any factor which may affect the rating or the exercise of any judgment in the application of these Rules or the issue of a certificate or for changes in these Rules.

Part B General Information 4. ADMINISTRATION

4.1. NHC is administered by the SYC sailing committee under the prescriptions of the RYA and hereafter referred to as the Rating Authority.

5. INTERPRETATIONS 5.1. Requests for interpretation of the NHC Rule shall be made in writing to the SYC

Sailing Committee. 6. DISPENSATIONS

6.1. The Rating Authority may grant dispensations to the NHC Rule on an individual boat basis at it's entire discretion. Any such dispensations shall be noted on the club web site.

7. LANGUAGE AND RULE DEFINITIONS 7.1. The language of NHC rule shall be English. In the event of any discrepancy,

the meaning of any word shall be by reference to the Oxford English Dictionary in the context in which it appears. The words ‘shall’ and ‘must’ are mandatory, the words ‘may’ and ‘can’ are permissive. The word ‘should’ is advisory.

7.2. Any reference to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) is defined as the current version of the Racing Rules of Sailing of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). Reference to the Equipment Rules of Sailing refers to the current version of the ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS). Reference to Special


Regulations is defined as the current version of ISAF Offshore Special Regulations of the ISAF Oceanic & Offshore Committee.

7.3. ERS shall apply except where deleted or amended by NHC Rules. 8. RATING CERTIFICATES

8.1. All NHC ratings will be calculated by and issued by the Rating Authority. 8.2. Under NHC for all boats rated for one or more downwind sails (see Rule 21.6),

a second, non spinnaker, TCC may be produced on request. The non spinnaker TCC shall be valid only for races for which the Notice of Race includes a non spinnaker division or class. Owners shall declare their intention to enter such a non spinnaker class using the second TCC a minimum of seven days before the race, or first race if a series of races, and shall not then be permitted to race using a spinnaker for the race or races. This Rule may be amended by Notice of Race.

8.3. The Rating Authority may at its sole discretion re-issue or may refuse to issue or to re-issue a NHC TCC if in its sole opinion Rule 2.5 may be infringed, or for any other reason. No reason need be stated.

8.4. Change of ownership and/or any changes in sail number will automatically invalidate the rating.

8.5. Physical changes which might affect the performance of the boat shall be declared and may invalidate the rating.

8.6. Attention is drawn to Rule 13 and to RRS 78, Compliance with Class Rules; Certificates.

8.7. When the Rating Authority has reasonable evidence that a boat does not conform to its declaration, or that there has been a breach of these Rules, or that there has been an error in the determination of the rating, or that there has been a gross breach of the NHC Rules or of good manners or sportsmanship, the certificate may (at the absolute discretion of the Rating Authority) be withdrawn without compensation and the owner shall be informed in writing.

9. RATING REVIEW Rule 9 does not apply to equipment inspection at an event. 9.1. Review of a boat’s rating may be requested at any time by the owner who

should submit a review request Authority to the Rating Authority. A fee may apply.

9.2. Anyone who has a valid interest in a boat's rating may also request rating review from the Rating Authority, by submitting a review request through to the Rating Authority. A fee may apply. The owner of the boat subject to review will be requested to file a reply as soon as possible.

9.3. The Rating Authority may also review a rating at any time. 9.4. Review shall be based on all the available evidence. Where necessary, rated

data shall be remeasured by an authorised measurer. The decision of the Rating Authority on any review shall be final.

9.5. For series produced boats, the rated data may have been standardised by the Rating Authority. Standard data shall not be subject to third party review or protest. A rating review may be requested by the manufacturer or the class


association of a series produced boat. Modifications to standard data shall be declared by the owner.

9.6. Where the TCC is reviewed and found to be not more than 0.005 greater than before, the contested rating shall be valid up to the date that the request for review was lodged with the Rating Authority, or in the case of a protest from the time that the protest was lodged with the race committee. This Rule may be amended by Notice of Race only to the extent that the 0.005 limit may be reduced.

9.7. Where the TCC is reviewed, either as a result of a rating review or a protest, and found to be more than 0.005 greater than before, the contested certificate is invalid from the date of issue.

9.8. In either case where the TCC is reviewed, the certificate becomes invalid if any remeasurement which increases the boat’s rating differs from the measurement shown on the certificate by more than 1% of: P, E, STL, LH, LWP, Hull Beam, Draft, FL, LLmax, J, MHW, MTW, MUW,); by more than 2% of SPA or HSA; by more than 5% of y, x or h; or by 5% or 200 kg, whichever is the less, in respect of weights; or if specific detail is clearly in error.

9.9. Following review and re-measurement, a new rating may be issued which may be backdated to the date that any erroneous data was supplied.

10. RATING PROTESTS 10.1. As permitted by the RRS, a rating protest may be submitted to a protest

committee. A protest committee may refer the matter to the Rating Authority with the appropriate fee.

10.2. In the event of protest, the boat's rated data may be re-measured by an authorised measurer.

10.3. A boat whose rating is invalidated as a result of an error or omission by the Rating Authority, of which the boat could not reasonably have been aware, may be penalised at the discretion of the protest committee. Additionally, a protest committee may order that races scored using the invalidated certificate shall be re-scored using the corrected TCC.

10.4. A boat whose rating is invalidated in accordance with Rule 9.6 may be penalised at the discretion of a protest committee. Additionally, a protest committee may order that races under its jurisdiction scored using the invalidated certificate shall be re-scored using the corrected TCC.

10.5. Subject to the RRS, when a boat is penalised by a protest committee as a result of her rating being invalidated under Rules 9.7 or 9.8, her owner shall be liable for measurement and rating costs unless the protest committee orders otherwise. In all other cases, the protestor shall be liable for measurement and rating costs.

10.6. When as a result of an action in a race or series, or the withdrawal of a rating by the Rating Authority, a boat's rating is reviewed and its TCC changes, the boat's Member National Authority may be requested by the Rating Authority to investigate the circumstances and report its findings to the Rating Authority.

11. CHANGES TO CLASS RULES


11.1. The Rule Authority Prescription or Notice of Race may vary the requirements of NHC Rules 8.6, 9.6, 14.1, 15.1, 21.1.5 (d) (e) and (f), 21.8.4, and 22.4.

11.2. The Rule Authority may prescribe that for races under its jurisdiction requiring compliance with ISAF Special Regulations Category 3 or above, rule 21.6.1 is varied to the extent that a boat may carry one more spinnaker.

11.3. Where the Rule Authority has made a Prescription to a Rule, a Notice of Race shall not vary that Rule or Prescription without the permission of the Rule Authority. Rule Authority Prescriptions shall be referenced in a Notice of Race.

12. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT AND CORRECTED TIMES 12.1. Measurements shall be taken in units of the metric system. Sail measurements

shall be taken in metres to two decimal places. All other linear measurements shall be taken in metres to three decimal places and rounded to two decimal places for input. Weight shall be taken to the nearest kilogram except in the case of boat weight which shall be to the nearest 10 kilograms. Normal mathematical conventions shall apply, with 0.5 rounding up. Full calculated values will be carried forward to subsequent calculations. Final ratings shall be rounded to three decimals places.

12.2. The NHC rating is calculated as a Time Corrector (TCC) to three places of decimals. Corrected time for each boat is calculated by multiplying its elapsed time by its TCC. Corrected times shall be rounded to the nearest second with 0.5 seconds rounding up.

13. MEASUREMENT AND COMPLIANCE 13.1. Measurement data shall be obtained by direct measurement or derived from

another rating certificate, whenever possible. 13.2. Measurements shall be taken in accordance with ERS Part III, Measurement

Rules. 13.3. The accuracy of measurements supplied shall be the owner's responsibility. 13.4. It is a breach of the Rules of NHC rule for any owner or individual to

intentionally supply false information. Attention is drawn to Rule 8.7 and to RRS 69, Allegations of Gross Misconduct.

13.5. The Rating Authority may require a boat to be submitted for measurement at any time without giving reasons. Measurement will be undertaken by authorised measurers of the Rating Authority. A new certificate will be issued by the Rating Authority based on the new measurement data.

13.6. In the particular case of a boat issued with a one-design certificate, as noted on the certificate, the rating requires compliance with one-design class rules. In the event of conflict, NHC Rules shall take precedence. See also Rule 22.4.1.

14. SAIL NUMBERS 14.1. Each boat shall hold a sail number as prescribed by its Member National

Authority. Sail numbers shall be displayed in accordance with RRS 77, Identification on Sails. This Rule may be amended by Notice of Race.

15. MANUAL POWER 15.1. RRS 52, Manual Power, and ERS B.5 shall not apply. This Rule may be

amended by notice of race.


15.2. (a) The use of stored power for the hoisting of mainsails, or the reefing or furling of sails need not be declared. (b) Boats using stored power solely for the adjustment or operation of backstays shall declare this to the Rating Authority. (c) Boats using stored power for the adjustment or operation of running rigging other than as noted in rules 15.2(a) & (b) shall declare this to the Rating Authority.

Part C NHC

16. ADVERTISING 16.1. Advertising may be displayed in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20,

Advertising Code. 17. BOAT WEIGHT

17.1. Boat Weight is measured in the following measurement condition: 17.1.1 Dry. 17.1.2 Fully rigged with all spars (including spinnaker pole(s) and jockey pole (if any)), standing rigging, backstay, running backstays and checkstays, halyards, mainsail and mizzen sheets, and vang(s). 17.1.3 Main engine installed, or outboard engine aboard in stowed position. 17.1.4 Batteries on board in their normal positions if carried while racing. These items will be noted on the boat’s certificate. 17.1.5 All permanent fixtures and fittings and items of accommodation whether detachable or not, including washboards, bunk and floorboards and saloon table (if fitted for racing) on board in their normal positions. 17.1.6 Standard fit out if rated to class standard data.

17.2. The following items shall not be on board for measurement condition: 17.2.1 Sails, headsail and spinnaker sheets and spinnaker guys, spare standing rigging and running rigging. 17.2.2 Fuel, water, variable ballast and the contents of any other tanks. Gas bottles shall be removed. 17.2.3 Food, cooking and catering utensils. 17.2.4 Anchors, chains, warps, mooring lines and fenders. 17.2.5 Clothing, bedding and personal effects. 17.2.6 All removable safety equipment. 17.2.7 Tools and spare parts.


17.2.8 Loose gear. 17.2.9 Portable electronic equipment not permanently attached to the boat. 17.2.10 Crew.

17.3. When for practical reasons it is not possible to remove all items and equipment (e.g. fuel), it is acceptable to deduct the weight of these from the gross weight. The Rating Authority reserves the right to refuse such data when inadequate detail is supplied.

17.4. The Rating Authority will calculate the boat weight of an un-weighed boat based on information contained on another rating certificate, designer data or from any other source.

17.5. In the absence of other information, boat weight may be calculated by deduction of the items detailed by Rule 17.2 from a boat's sailing displacement or sailing weight.

18. OVERHANGS AND DRAFT 18.1. Measurements shall be taken with the boat in measurement condition. The

measurement points for various configurations of boats are shown on the diagrams for hull shapes and are defined in the NHC measurement form.

19. HULL APPENDAGES 19.1. Full details of a boat's hull appendages shall be supplied to the Rating Authority

at the time of rating application. 19.2. Any keel fin fairings with a nominal density, including any cavities and/or core

material, significantly lower than the main structural elements of the keel fin shall be declared. For the purpose of this rule, a keel fin fairing does not include surface fairing, filling and painting materials up to a total thickness of 10 mm, measured normal to the local surface of the keel fin.

19.3. Drop keels, centreboards, bilgeboards and other moveable hull appendages shall be declared. Unless fixed down while racing, drop keels will be rated as moveable hull appendages.

19.4. In the construction of hull appendages, no material with specific gravity greater than 11.3 is permitted.

20. ENGINE AND PROPELLER 20.1. Boats will be rated with either:

20.1.1 No engine. 20.1.2 Outboard engine (i.e. an engine where the propeller may be removed from the water while racing). 20.1.3 Inboard engine, including strut drive and stern-drive configurations. Propeller type shall be declared at the time of rating application. 20.2 Inboard engines shall be capable of producing a minimum speed of 1.8*LWP^0.5 knots. Outboard engines shall be securely fastened in their normal stowage positions for racing.


21. RIG AND SAILS 21.1. General;

21.1.1 Single and twin masted rigs only may be rated under NHC. 21.1.2 'Cat' rig is defined as a rig where no sails are set forward of the mast(s) when sailing to windward. 21.1.3 'Gaff' rig includes square, spritsail and other similar rig configurations. 21.1.4 Mizzen staysails shall be declared. 21.1.5 There is no limitation on the number or type of sails on board while racing under NHC except: (a) the limitation on spinnaker numbers (see Rule 21.6.2). (b) the limitation on sails containing exotic materials (see Rule 21.4). (c) the limitation on headsail numbers for boats rated with a single furling headsail. Except in the cases of significant damage or storm and heavy weather sails, boats claiming a rating allowance for using a single roller furling headsail shall use the same headsail for all races in any series of races. (see Rule 21.8.1) (d) during a regatta run on consecutive days, including any lay days, the sails on board shall remain the same and be on board for all races. This Rule may be amended by Notice of Race. (e) a spare mainsail may be on board but may not be used as a racing replacement, either during a race or during a regatta run on consecutive days, including any lay days. This Rule may be amended by Notice of Race. (f) exceptionally, in the case of significant damage or loss, sails may be replaced with similar sails. A Notice of Race may require that boats obtain permission from the Race Committee before replacing a sail. This Rule may be amended by Notice of Race. (g) sails shall be set in close proximity to the boat. (h) sails with detachable sections of sail cloth are not permitted. 21.1.6 (a) Adjustment or detachment of forestay and/or shrouds including diagonal and jumper shrouds, or movement of the mast at the foot or the deck while racing is not permitted except: (i) in the case of a boat without running backstays, checkstays or adjustable backstay when the forestay may be adjusted but not detached. (ii) in the case of Dayboats explicitly permitted by their own class rules to adjust or detach the forestay and shrouds while racing.


(iii) as permitted by Rule 21.1.6 (b). (b) A boat fitted with or carrying on board systems, to adjust the forestay or the mast foot while racing shall declare this to the Rating Authority. Locked conventional turnbuckles need not be declared. Unless the boat declares that such systems will not be used while racing, the boat may then adjust the forestay and the mast foot vertically and/or longitudinally while racing, but shall not detach the forestay.

21.2. Sheeting of Sails, Sail Definitions, Bowsprits and Spinnaker Poles 21.2.1 No headsail or spinnaker may be sheeted from more than one point on the sail. 21.2.2 All sails shall be set and sheeted in accordance with RRS 50, Setting and Sheeting Sails, with the following additions. 21.2.3 RRS 50.3(a) is amended to the extent that a spinnaker or a headsail may be tacked to a bowsprit. 21.2.4 RRS 50.3(c) is deleted and replaced by: A headsail may be sheeted or attached at its clew or tack to a spinnaker pole or whisker pole, provided: (a) that a spinnaker is not set, (b) that the HSA and LLmax dimensions do not exceed the rated values, (c) that for a boat rated with no spinnaker pole that a whisker pole is declared, (d) that the pole length measured as spinnaker tack length (STL) does not exceed the rated STL. A second headsail may be set simultaneously. 21.2.5 If a spinnaker can be tacked to a bowsprit in front of the forestay, the bowsprit will be considered to be a spinnaker pole and STL measured as the greater of the length of the longest spinnaker pole or to the extremity of the bowsprit. 21.2.6 Boats will be rated according to whether they use a spinnaker pole and/or a bowsprit according to the following configurations: (a) No spinnaker pole (spinnaker tacked on deck) or a centre line bowsprit only. (b) An articulating bowsprit only. (c) A spinnaker pole or poles either with or without a bowsprit.

21.3. Sailcloth; 21.3.1 Sailcloth containing exotic materials (at present none) will carry an additional rating tax. 21.3.2 Sailcloth containing exotic materials shall be declared on initial application for rating, revalidation, or when amending a boat's sail inventory.


21.3.3 Only specific sails containing exotic materials which have been declared and noted on a boat's rating may be used while racing under NHC.

21.4. 21.4 Mainsails; 21.4.1 Unless declared as greater under Rule 21.5.2 or lesser under Rule 21.5.3, MUW, MTW, and MHW will be assumed to be 0.22*E, 0.38*E and 0.65*E respectively. 21.4.2 MUW measurements in excess of 0.22*E, MTW measurements in excess of 0.38*E, and MHW measurements in excess of 0.65*E shall be declared. 21.4.3 MUW measurements less than 0.22*E, MTW measurements less than 0.38*E, and MHW measurements less than 0.65*E may be declared. MUW, MTW and MHW will be shown on the boat’s certificate as the maximum permitted values.

21.5. Spinnakers; 21.5.1 Boats carrying more than three spinnakers in total on board while racing will incur an increase in rating. 21.5.2 Spinnaker area (SPA) shall be calculated from: SPA = ((SLU + SLE)/2) * ((SF + (4 * SHW))/5) * 0.83 SLU, SLE, SF and SHW of the largest area spinnaker on board shall be declared. The calculated area of this spinnaker will be shown on a boat’s certificate as the maximum permitted SPA.

21.6. Headsails; 21.6.1 Headsail area (HSA) shall be calculated from: HSA = 0.0625*LL*(4*LP + 6*HHW + 3*HTW + 2*HUW + 0.09) If foot offset is greater than 7.5% of LP, then foot offset shall be declared and foot offset shall be added to LL in the calculation of HSA. 21.6.2 The following shall be declared. LL, LP, HHW, HTW, HUW and LLmax. 21.6.3 HSA, LL, LP, HHW, HTW and HUW of the largest area headsail, and LLmax will be shown on the boat's certificate. HSA and LLmax are the maximum permitted values.

21.7. Furling Headsails; 21.7.1 Boats may apply for a rating credit for using a single roller furling headsail. To be eligible: (a) A boat shall be fitted with a complete headsail furling system including at least a drum, furling headfoil, and top swivel.


(b) Rated LP shall be greater than 1.3*J. Exceptionally, this rule shall not apply to boats of LH greater than 30.5m and with IRC DLR greater than 60. (c) Only a single headsail shall be used while racing, whose HSA may not be less than 95% of rated HSA except that additionally storm jibs may be used. 21.7.2 A boat may declare that she may alternatively use a heavy weather jib Provided that she complies with Rule 21.8.1(a) and (b), she will remain eligible for the rating credit but at a reduced rate. 21.7.3 Except in the cases of significant damage or storm jib and/or heavy weather jibs as appropriate, the same headsail shall be used for all races in any series of races. 21.7.4 Any other headsail may be on board. This Rule may be amended by Notice of Race.

22. EQUIPMENT AND LOADING 22.1. Parameters;

22.1.1 The rated parameters assume that the boat is fitted out at least to the production specification and/or to the condition when last measured/inspected. Detachable items (such as but not limited to bunk cushions) permitted by Rule 17 to be aboard for measurement shall be carried in their normal positions while racing. If another rating certificate is being used as the basis for data then any changes since the issue of that certificate shall be notified to the Rating Authority. 22.1.2 For races requiring compliance with Offshore Special Regulations Category 4 only (or local equivalent), a Notice of Race may state that boats rated with bunk cushions on board may remove the bunk cushions. No compensating weight need be carried.

22.2. Hull Factor 22.2.1 Hull factor (HF) is an assessment by the Rating Authority of the features of the boat and their character and efficiency when compared to a basic cruising configuration. 22.2.2 Stripped out interiors, the use of light and hi-tech structures and/or materials, removal of furniture or other fitted equipment, etc. may lead to the application of higher than standard hull factor to compensate for potential increase in performance. Such features shall be declared to the Rating Authority.

22.3. Moveable Ballast and Variable Ballast; 22.3.1 A boat may request permission from the Rating Authority to use moveable ballast and/or variable ballast for the purpose of increasing stability. The Rating Authority will generally only grant permission to boats specifically and originally designed to carry moveable ballast and/or variable ballast and may deny permission without giving any reason. RRS 51, Moving Ballast, and


RRS 52, Manual Power, are modified in respect of moveable ballast and/or variable ballast systems to the extent required by this class Rule. 22.3.2 Any such system shall be declared to the Rating Authority. 22.3.3 There is no limit to the static heel angle with ballast tanks fully filled on one side of the boat or with moveable ballast moved fully to one side. For boats with variable ballast, the maximum weight of water that can be carried on each side of the boat shall be declared. For boats with moveable ballast, the maximum static heel angle in the boat weight condition (see Rule 17) with the ballast moved fully to one side shall be declared. A physical, mechanical limit shall be fitted to moveable ballast to prevent it being moved further than the position for the declared static heel angle. Such a system shall not rely on sensors or measurement to prevent the declared static heel angle being exceeded unintentionally.

23. SEAWORTHINESS AND SAFETY

23.1. The issue of a rating certificate does not imply that a boat is necessarily of satisfactory design, safe or seaworthy. See Rule 3.

23.2. Race committees may impose limits for race entry on safety grounds at their discretion. An SSS number, specific to the boat, and when data is available ISO STIX, AVS, and ISO Design Category will be printed on each boat's certificate for the guidance of owners and race organisers.


2014 Rallies

Solent Rally Friday May 2 - Monday May 5 Join the Sussex Yacht Club Solent Rally on the early May Bank Holiday for a long weekend of sailing, socialising and lots of fun. The weekend will consist of a race down to the Solent from Shoreham early on Friday followed by sundowners, dinner and possibly some dancing at the Folley on Friday evening. On Saturday there will be a short hop to Beaulieu but after a leisurely start to the morning, those wishing to, can join the group for a treasure hunt around the Solent before entering Beaulieu river and mooring at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club ahead of dinner that evening at their restaurant, Gins. On Sunday we depart with the tide to head to Itchenor in Chichester harbour where we moor for the evening to have dinner at the Ship Inn. On Monday we depart for our return journey back to Shoreham. This is always a fun rally, attracting a lot of yachts and crew from SYC.

Talla Hina / PHAB Saturday May 17 – Sunday May 18 Each year the Sussex Yacht Club (SYC) holds the long inshore Talla Hina race from Shoreham to Brighton, followed by dinner at Brighton Yacht Club, an overnight stay in Brighton Marina. On Sunday SYC hosts a charity day from Brighton Marina to take out children from the Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied charity to experience the joys of sailing a yacht or motor boat.

West Country Rally June 20 - July 6 Cruise in company to the West Country. The rally will commence after the Round the Island (RTI) race and the first port of call will be Weymouth. Those not participating in RTI can leisurely make their way to Weymouth and all other boats can join the rally on the Sunday evening. The rally will depart from Weymouth on the Monday morning with favourable tides to Dartmouth. From Dartmouth the rally will then sail west along the Devon coast, possibly on to the Scilly isles depending on weather. The rally will return to Shoreham two weeks later on 6th July.

Pactolas Rally Friday 25 July - Friday 31 July Rally to France. Details to be arranged


St Valery Rally Friday 22 August - Monday 25 August The 2014 St Valery Rally will once again be held over the August Bank Holiday. The rally will include a race across the English Channel to St Valery en Caux, a relaxing Saturday in the beautiful French port and then dinner at the Club Nautique Valeriquais (Yacht Club). Sunday will be a day of leisure followed by a sail back across the Channel to Shoreham on Monday 25th.

Littlehampton Rally Saturday 13 September - Sunday 14 September Once again the Sussex Yacht Club will hold a long inshore race to Littlehampton and then the Crew’s race back from Littlehampton on the Sunday. After arrival in Littlehampton there will be a few hours to relax and hopefully enjoy a sunny afternoon before a three course dinner at Littlehampton Yacht Club.

Documents

SYC Sailing Handbook 2014