UKRCLA SSI's

Below are the Standard Sailing Instructions which apply to all events organised by the UKRCLA unless any event specific SSI's are issued for a major event.

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UK RC Laser Class Association

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STANDARD SAILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR RC LASER

 

1 RULES

1.1 The regatta will be governed by the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (Lastest Version RRS), Appendix E of the RRS, these Sailing Instructions, the RC Laser Class 1.2 All sailors are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.

1.3 Except for any start or finish marks, a boat's hull or rigging may touch a mark of the course provided that mark has been rounded correctly as described on the course board.

 

2 CLASS RULES

2.1 All boats will have to comply to the RC Laser Class Rules - version dated 7th June 2011

2.2 All boats can be subject to checks for compliance to the class rules.

2.3 Sail Identification: The new 2011 Class rules specify the sail numbers and other identification letters. For racing in the UK members may use the third digit of their boat number in place of the optional number 1 to avoid damage to sails when adding and removing numbers. The diagram provided by the UK RC Laser Class Association in the RC Laser Academy notes is now advisory but remains correct and shall replace RRS E6.

2.4 The 2011 Class Rules specify four sail sizes,A,B,C and D. For racing in the UK members may use D sails produced by John Tushingham alongside authorized factory items until December 2018.

2.5 All boats must conform with the minor changes required by the June 2011 Class Rules. There are no 'grandfather' clauses to cover early production boats.

2.6  Removed, covered under RC Laser Class Rules - version dated 7th June 2011

2.7 Under the new sail winch rule "Maximum specifications of the sail winch servo are speed sail in to out and out to in 3.9 seconds each". The UK Definition for this movement, for the Boom, is 90 degrees of travel from in to out or out to in as viewed from above.

 

3 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board(s) located at the race centre or given verbally at the briefing.

 

4 CHANGES TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Any change to the Sailing Instructions shall be either posted on the official notice board, given verbally at the briefing, or at a skippers meeting called by the race officer during the event.

 

5 SIGNALS MADE ASHORE

All signals are made ashore at the race centre.

 

6 SCHEDULE OF RACES

Race times and any other relevant information shall be specified in the Notice of Race or as notified on the UK RC Laser Class Association website.

 

7 RACING AREAS

The racing area will be notified to competitors at the competitor's briefings.

 

8 THE COURSES

The course will be shown on the course board at the race centre as required by RRS E 3.2. If this is not possible, it will be verbally described by the Race Officer. During a heat, shortening of the course shall be signalled by two sound signals followed by verbal confirmation of the new finish line on the leg before the leading boat approaches the shortened finish.

 

9 MARKS

Except for Start or Finish marks, a boat’s hull or rigging may touch a mark of the course provided that mark has been rounded correctly as described on the Course Board.

 

10 THE START

10.1 Races will be started by using Rule 26, as amended by Rule E3.5.

10.2 The Race Committee will call for the race and heat number followed by a one or two minutes signal and countdown to start. For multi-fleet events sail numbers for the heat to be sailed will be displayed near the launching area. It is the responsibility of all competitors to start in their assigned heat. Failure to do so will result in that boat being scored DNS and will not be grounds for redress.

 

11 THE FINISH

11.1 See course board.

 

12 TIME LIMITS

12.1 Boats failing to finish within 5 minutes after the first boat sails the course and finishes will be scored Did Not Finish (DNS). This changes Rules 35 and A5.This does not apply to Race 1 where there is no time limit (HMS 2.2).

 

13 SCORING

13.1 For multi-fleet events the Heat Management System (HMS latest version) shall apply. A copy will be available at the race office.

13.2 There will be 1 discard after race 4, then further discards after races 8, 16, 24 and every eight race thereafter.

13.3 Any ties will be resolved in favour of the boat with the most first places. If the tie still exists, the most second places and so on.

 

14 DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See Rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority and any other party involved in the organisation of the regatta will not accept any liability whatsoever for loss, material or personal damage (including but not limited or death, injury, consequential damages etc.) sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

 

17 INSURANCE

Each participating competitor shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of £2,000,000 per event or the equivalent.