serious damage

• a hole in a hull is always serious damage

• a deep scratch that weakens the laminate under the gelcoat is serious damage, as it will require work to permanently prevent further deterioration

• a small scratch to the gelcoat is not serious damage, but damage over a large area may be considered serious as the work required to restore the boats original appearance may be considerable;

• broken stanchions and lifelines constitute serious damage when the boat no longer meets the appropriate safety regulations;

• damage to a sail that cannot de repaired using tape is serious damage, especially in classes that impose restrictions on the number of sails that may be carried on board and on the replacement of sails during a regatta or season;

• damage to standing or running rigging when such damage significantly increases the risk of rig failure. Guidance may be required from a specialist to establish the extent of the increased risk.

• the cost of the repair exceeds any reasonable excess on the boat's insurance policy. This on the basis that any claim on racing insurance risks leading to an increase in insurance premiums for both the boat's owners and other owners of similar boats.

To resume: a prudent owner can accept that in the course of racing his boat will suffer minor damage and will depreciate in value. However, no prudent owner can accept that breaking boats to the extent that considerable time and expense is required to make good damage is a normal part of racing. The Racing Rules of Sailing have been written, and should be applied, so that sailing remains a non-contact sport, and that the penalty for causing serious damage, as defined above, is to retire from the race.

Serious damage is any damage that seriously impairs the performance of a boat or her crew, or seriously diminishes the market value of the boat. Serious damage has occurred when the normal operation of the boat is compromised, and its structural integrity may be impaired. A prudent owner will repair serious damage promptly even though the boat may be able to continue to race, with or without temporary repairs. Repairs will generally require more than 3 hours work.