Following a highly successful catamaran open meeting, our first I would like your opinion on the introduction of the following rule, or amendment to an existing rule..

Proposed change to Racing Rules

The Awebolaxe rule

In cases where a craft is seen to have performed an action deemed to fall into the awebolaxe rule, the perpetrator(s) of the action will hail “AWEBOLAXE” to all parties within a distance considered to be in relation to the action or actions in questions. Details of probable actions are listed below along with suggested hailing distances.

(point of definition – capsize can be side to side or forwards/backwards or any combination thereof)

The chuffinidiot rule

The chuffinidiot rule is exercised in direct response to the awebolaxe rule and is made directly to the perpetrator of the awebolaxe infringement by the responder, namely:

a: the receiver, the individual or individuals who is or who are directly affected by the awebolaxe infringement.

b: the official, the one in control of the event who is the direct enforcer of the awebolaxe ruling and any consequential further penalty.

c: the onlooker, one who whilst may have an interest in the race event proceedings, does not directly have an effect on the event outcome.

Following the witnessing of an action deemed to fall within the awebolaxe ruling, the responder hails “CHUFFINIDIOT” as loudly as possible so that the response may be shared with multiple parties, some of which may feel it appropriate to also lodge there response at that time.

You forgot the "Ahfofoxake" sub-paragraph which comes into play when the "Awebolaxe" perpetrator does so directly infront of another competitor, causing either a crash-tack, violent bear away and/or sympathetic capsize.

Under these circumstances the "Ahfofoxake" victim is also entitled to ask the "Awebolaxe" perpetrator the shortened from of the question "W(here's your) Anchor"

I'm just wondering then..

would you apply the "ahfofoxake" rule instead of and/or at the same time as the "chuffinidiot" rule?

Also, would you hail the "W(here's your) Anchor" question instead of the more convetional 'protest' response...? and if you did, what would you raise instead of the usual 'protest flag'??

From personal experience, the Ahfofoxake rule replaces sub-para a) of the Chuffinidiot rule when the affected party is within 2 or 3 boat lengths of the Awebolaxe incident.

Ahfofoxake can also be invoked when the wind shifts while you are on the layline for a mark and can suddenly no longer round said mark without further tacks. Adverse tidal streams may add weight to the invocation.

Ever since the requirement for carrying protest flags was cancelled for boats under 6m, the nature of registering your protest has been under constant debate. There is additionally no requirement for such boats to carry an anchor, hence the question.

Actualy, and for the avoidance of any doubt, the "ahfofoxake" rule should only apply to the crew of the said vessel and is to be shouted in response to the "Awebolaxe" rule being exercised by the helm of the said vessel when the incident to which the Awbolaxe rule is deemed to be the as a “perceived error” made by the said crew, as opposed to the total responsibility being as a result of the helm who is refusing to accept liability for incident.

Further more, the “ahfofoxake” rule can also be applied by the crew when certain conditions dictate, for example when said crew is out on the wire on starboard tack hailing to approaching vessels approaching on port tack during which time said helm makes erratic and unexpected changes in direction (without notifying crew) with the result of crew learning the art of flying in direction of mast also resulting in the events details within the awbolaxe rule i.e. capsize etc.

You'll be one of those "ballast" people then!

In response to the example from the ballast.. 

 A similar example would be when approaching a race mark at speed, the Kind, considerate, helpful, skilful and joyful helm assists in clearance of the mark by pulling slightly harder on the go fast rope thereby lifting the windward hull into a position to enable the ballast to clear the mark.. the ahfofoxake comes into consideration when the ballast’s knuckles (which were previously slowing the craft down by dragging in the water) clip the course mark, forcing an awebolaxe infringement, closely followed by a combination "chuffinidiot-w(here's you) anchor" hail. It is at the point of penalty when the ahfofoxake is proclaimed.

Good question, I would suppose on a boat with a crew greater than 2, then the Awebolaxe rule is still excercised by the perpatrator(s), the chuffinidiot rule remains unaffected..  your question however about boats with lumps of lead (to slow them down) on the bottom..  I suppose capsize could apply to the spilling on Pimm's, G&T, Champagne etc..  however, on a slightly more nautical theme, there is still the broach.. and don't forget.. with a fixed lump of lead, the hailing distance for running aground is extended.. possibly even to the use of VHF..

The great thing about a discussion on these rules, is that we can get the nub of the problem before the actual rule is introduced.

Personally, I think there should be an addendum to the rule:

 - If there is a camera (either an official photographer, or an amateur) within 30 metres of the awebolaxe perpetrator, the call should be made BEFORE the incident, and not after.

This is like calling for water at a mark: You should hail your intention before manouvering!

Could we not get our self into a similar situation then as was when competitors used to fly a protest flag 'just in case'..

I know that sometimes when the wind is howling and the rain is almost horizontal, I know for a fact I start rehearsing the awebolaxe rule.. quietly under my breath… sometimes before I'm even fully awake or even at the beach..

I can see your point however it does devalue the ‘you’ve been framed’ factor and I’m not quite sure how the hail would be made “ready to awebolaxe”, “gybe awebolaxe”..  it just doesn’t make sense.. perhaps further thought or research should go into an additional rule..

The “chuvinheck” or maybe the “ohmigodd” rule.. your thoughts?