how many boats on a start line?

Gate starts are simple in practice, it is only because they are not covered often in youth training that ppl think that they are complicated.

A typical method of gate starting is:

• A boat is nominated as the pathfinder.  (this boat usually finishes 5 / 6th in the previous race).
• The committee boat carries out a count down similar to that in a line start.
• At the start gun, the pathfinder has a minute to pass below the committee boat close hauled on port tack.
• The parthfinder is followed by a power boat, matching the pathfinders speed and course.
• The rest of the fleet starts by passsing behind the pathfinder and guard boat on starboard.
• After a few minutes, the guard boat releases the pathfinder (allowing it to tack off if desired) and continues in a straight line (or stops and drifts).
• The "gate" is between the committee boat and the guard boat and starting boats must pass between them within a few minutes.

The starting boats must decide when they want to cross the line:

• If they are faster than the pathfinder or the left of the course is favoured, they start just after the pathfinder has begun its run.
• If they are slower than the pathfinder or the right of the course is favoured, they start near to the end of the pathfinders run.

Technically, all boats cross the line at equal speed and time (assuming pathfinders speed is constant). 

Hope that helps clear a few things up.

I'm glad you asked Binky, I was starting to think I was the only one who didn't know  

I know what you mean.

I think starting's the best bit of racing (apart from winning).  having regularly participated in match and team racing, there's nothing better than stuffing up your rivals then blasting across the line @ top speed just at the gun.

The best start that i've ever done was at a scottish 505 traveller where, after a few "manouvers" on my part, two of the other 5Oes ended up level with the mast of the committee's yacht but on the wrong side!!!

The problem with bunching up at the committee boat end is that they all miss the opperatunity of gettng clean wind at the pin.  i can appreciate that big fleets limit the chances of a good port flyer but you still see boats crammed under the committee boat  when they can hardly point over the line due to bias.

i can appreciate that getting a good start over a line is more skillfull than a gate however:

How many times (with respect harry) do you see toppers and lasers all bunched up at the commitee boat end of the line because they'll be starting on starboard?!

It would be usefull to use gate starts at coastal events where it is practical and use line starts at inland and restriced water events.

Gate starts don't have to be huge - the size of the line is determined by the guard boat.  it can follow the pathfinder for 30 seconds before stopping if necessary.

Gate starts are probably more fair than line starting because

1. everybody gets an equal start - there are no rows of boats getting covered by the windward boats
2. in a line start, at least 33% of the fleet will be at the wrong end of the line
3. no need to set a line, which will be complained about (bias / length)
4. depending on the fleet size, the gate can be open for any number of minutes after the guard boat has released the pathfinder.

As long as the procedure is explained correctly, there should be few kamakazi incidents regarding the guard boat - hopefully it will be a RIB rather than something more structural.

I think the reason that gate starts are used less now is because you need a number of power boats to carry it out.  This is less likely to occur at small training meeting where a simple line can be made in a few minutes.

Also, gate starts are only any good for class racing while the majority of club racing is handicap.  Having said that, i've heard chew valley tried it for a handicap race with RS 800s and radials with a 505 as pathfinder!!