Simple Racing Rules

well we had some excellent tight racing in less than ideal conditions at the weekend, 100 competitors, no protests... no turns.... no injuries.... no serious damage.  

Thanks Jack - much appreciated.

that was a short board Maxi- still great fun for planing winds, but hopeless for lakes and light breeze. 

Edited by kneewrecker - 09 Sep 14 at 8:38pm

Originally posted by kneewrecker that was a short board Maxi- still great fun for planing winds, but hopeless for lakes and light breeze.  I have been to the Jedi Council since then, Yoda sorted me out with a new weapon and found me an Obi-Wan type character down at Hillhead to train me in the ways of the Force.

Newcomer to the topic here. Apologies for re-visiting this, but I really do think it's important for our sport.

I've long been interested in the concept of a simple, short set of rules for all sailors at all levels of the sport - not a subset of rules that simply add another level of complexity and possible confusion. A set of racing rules that can be published on one side of a waterproof plastic sheet - that's what's in my mind.

I've read through the entire thread and what struck me was that in just the first couple of pages before topic-drift set in, a number of short-lists were produced that were pretty similar. That suggests to me that there is an encouraging degree of underlying agreement, and every chance that a workable short-list of rules could be relatively easily put together, if we could all be bothered. It may well need a fairly fundamental change of mindset, but where there's a will, there's a way.

A slightly tweaked version of Don Becker's list would do;

•1. Avoid collisions.
•2. Port keeps clear of starboard.
•3. Windward keeps clear of leeward
•4. Overtaking boat keeps clear
•5. Give boats enough time and room to avoid hitting things.
•6. The inside boat(s) at a mark is entitled to room to round the mark.
•7. If you have violated a rule, do a tack and a gybe as soon as you safely can.
.8   Behave towards others in the same way you'd want them to behave towards you.

How's that?

Edited by Solo4652 - 13 Aug 15 at 11:40am