One turn penalties

Originally posted by gordon Therule was modified from720° to Two turn because it is easy to answer the question did the boat tack and gybe twice, wheras did she turn360° (and not 359°) was a difficultquestio to which giva an adequate answer. Can't say I agree with classes which effectively say wait until it is convenient before taking your penalty. This is as much about seeing that justice is done. Gordon

It's not always justice though, sometimes people take a penalty because they are unsure whether what happened was their fault, there are times when you don't want people to be out of the game, just going through the motions for a poor result, you want to enjoy racing against them.
Sometimes 5 turns would not be enough.
Other times just tacking off would be fine by me.

There can be  a difference in club racing, where a boats only crime is to fail to predict what boats in another fleet or some other outside influence.

But in most cases if the difference between 1 or 2 turns makes you not enjoy the racing, it's all out of shape.

Therule was modified from720° to Two turn because it is easy to answer the question did the boat tack and gybe twice, wheras did she turn360° (and not 359°) was a difficultquestio to which giva an adequate answer.

Can't say I agree with classes which effectively say wait until it is convenient before taking your penalty. This is as much about seeing that justice is done.

Gordon

"one turn" is also pretty common in fast asymmetric racing. Often with the penalty for hitting a mark entirely removed. A variation that I've also seen (though only occasionally) is that if a penalty is incurred  downwind it doesn't have to be taken until the head of the spinnaker is below the gooseneck- ie you don't have to drop, spin and re-hoist. 

Ultimately, for class racing, these things are up to the class to decide what works for them. For mixed handicap club fleets, they are for the fleet members to decide what works for them. If penalties are too lenient and observance of the rules too lax the racing will cease to be fun.

But then in match racing we are not talking about a "self-policing"sport. There is no provision to take a voluntary penalty. Competitors play to the whistle - exactly what we want to avoid.

One turn penalties work on short courses, or in keelboats which take time to turn. Adding the provision that additional turns may be taken until any advantage gained seems to me to be sensible.

It is always infuriating to be fouled and then watch the guilty boat take quick turns and sail away leaving you behind trying to sort out the mess created.

That would not really work if the boat that was fouled was ahead and stayed ahead in the moments afterwards, (e.g. being hit on the transom by an overtaking boat.)