Sailing Instructions 2008

Below are the 2008 combined sailing instructions for both dinghy and cruiser competitors.

There are three sections to these instruction: 

Dinghy sailors should read the General and Dinghy sections
Cruiser sailors should read the General and Cruiser sections

You can download a printable version below or scroll down to read the Sailing Instructions on this page.

Penzance Sailing Club Sailing Instructions 2008
New Start Sequence
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These instructions should be read in conjunction with the ISAF 2005-2008 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) availble on the ISAF website [RRS...]

General - This sections applies to all competitors

1. Rules
1.1. Racing will take place under the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2005 - 2008, these Sailing Instructions and appropriate class rules unless modified by a Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions for any specific event. In the event of a conflict with class rules these Sailing Instructions shall prevail (RRS 86.1).

1.2. For all events governed by these instructions advertising will be as described for ISAF Regulation 20, Category C.


2. Conditions of Entry
2.1. A competitor is entirely responsible for its own safety, whether afloat or ashore, and nothing, whether in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions or anywhere else, reduces this responsibility.

2.2. It is for the competitor to decide whether it is fit to sail in the conditions in which it will find itself. By launching or going to sea, the boat confirms that it is fit for those conditions and that its crew is competent to sail and compete in them.

2.3. The competitor is required to hold adequate insurance and in particular to hold insurance against third party claims in the sum of at least £2,000,000.

2.4. Nothing done by the organisers can reduce the responsibility of the competitor nor will it make the organisers responsible for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, however it may have occurred, as a result of the competitor taking part in the racing. The organisers encompass everyone helping to run the race and the event, and include the organising authority, the race committee, the race officer, patrol boats and beachmasters.

2.5. The provision of patrol boats does not relieve the competitor of its responsibilities.

2.6. The competitor is responsible for ensuring that it is equipped and seaworthy so as to be able to face extremes of weather; that there is a crew sufficient in number, experience and fitness to withstand such weather; and that the safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and in date and that the crew know how to use it.

2.7. The fact that the race committee may conduct inspections of a boat does not reduce the responsibilities of the competitor set out in these instructions.

2.8. The race committee may reject or cancel the entry of a boat which in its view is un-seaworthy.

2.9. At least one member of the crew shall be a member of Penzance Sailing Club or shall have submitted an application form and appropriate fees. This alters RRS 75.

2.10. All boats shall carry a distinguishing number on the mainsail. The Dinghy or Cruiser Committee (as appropriate) may permit the use of sails carrying a distinguishing number other than that required by RRS 77 and RRS Appendix G and given in the Sailing Handbook.


3. Liability
3.1. The race organisers shall not be liable for any loss, damage, death or personal injury howsoever caused to the owner/competitor, his skipper or crew, as a result of their taking part in the race or races. Moreover every competitor warrants the suitability of his boat for the race or races.

The safety of a boat and its entire management including insurance, shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/competitor who must ensure that the boat is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy, and manned by a crew sufficient in number and experience who are physically fit to face bad weather.

The owner/competitor must be satisfied as to the soundness of the hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. He must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained, stowed and in date and that the crew know where it is kept and how it is to be used.


4. Notice to Competitors
4.1. Signals made ashore will be hoisted on the clubhouse flagpole.

4.2. Changes to Sailing Instructions will be posted at least 45 minutes before the advertised starting time.

4.3. Schedules of races and start times will be as in the club Sailing Programme.

4.4. Notices will be posted on the noticeboard in the clubhouse porch, foyer or at the Race Desk.

4.5. Cruiser race courses will be posted on the notice board in the clubhouse porch and/or at the Race Desk.


5. Signals
5.1. For starts from the clubhouse line the light sequence in Table 1 may be used with signals given for Cruisers at 5 minute intervals, and Dinghies at 2 minute intervals. This alters RRS 26.

5.2. When the light sequence is not used, flag signals as shown in Table 1 will be used.

5.3. The starting times for Pursuit races vary from the times laid out here as detailed below.

5.4. Signal flags flown over IC Flag “C” indicates the cruiser fleet only. Signal flags flown over IC Flag “D” indicates the dinghy fleet only.

Table 1




6. Postponements
6.1. A postponement may be signalled by two sound signals and the fleet preparatory signal lights of all the postponed fleets being illuminated and flashed simultaneously. This alters RRS 27.3.


7. Recalls
7.1. Individual Recalls. A fleet preparatory signal light may be displayed in place of IC flag 'X'. This alters RRS 29.1.

7.2. General Recall. A flashing fleet preparatory signal light may be displayed in place of IC Flag First Substitute. This alters RRS 29.2.

7.3. In the event of a general recall the fleet that has been recalled will be start at the end of the sequence, with the exception of the boats starting on the first cruiser start which will start on the second cruiser start. The first signal of this restart will be the no later in the sequence than the preparatory signal of the fleet involved.


8. Starting
8.1. The Clubhouse Start Line shall be used unless otherwise signalled.

8.2. The Clubhouse Start Line will be between the red triangle on the Clubhouse and for dinghies: a spherical buoy, for cruisers: a large yellow pole buoy with a cross top-mark.

8.3. When laid no boat shall pass between the inner limit mark and the clubhouse when starting.

8.4. The Round-an-End Rule as defined in RRS 30.1 shall apply except that it will apply from the first warning signal of the whole starting sequence. This alters RRS 30.1


9. Finishing
9.1. The Clubhouse Finish Line shall be used less otherwise signalled or indicated in these sailing instructions.

9.2. The Clubhouse Finish line is defined identically to the Clubhouse Start Line.

9.3. When laid no boat shall pass between the inner limit mark and the clubhouse when finishing.

9.4. After dark, cruisers shall illuminate their sail number when finishing.

9.5. The Race Officer may award a finishing position to boats which are still racing for a fleet not racing on handicap. The decision of the Race officer is final and will not be grounds for competitors to seek redress.

9.6. Once a boat has finished she should not re-cross the line. The ODM should be left to starboard or the IDM to port.


10. Protests
10.1. Protests shall be lodged with the Race Officer or a Sailing Committee Member within 60 minutes of the last boat finishing in its class.

10.2. Protest forms are available from the Race Desk.


11. Scoring System
11.1. The Low Point System of scoring will be used as in Appendix A 4.1 with the following amendments (these alter RRS Appendix A 4.2):

• DNF, RAF - Number of boats scored as competing boats in an individual race + 1

• DNS, OCS - Number of boats scored as competing boats in an individual race + 2

• DSQ - Number of boats scored as competing boats in an individual race + 3

• DNC - Number of boats scored as competing in the race with the largest entry of the series + 3

• The starting area is defined as the water north of the start line and west of the Cruiser Outer Distance Mark on the clubhouse start line.

11.2. Discards allowed for all Club Series are as follows:

1 - 3 races 0 discards, 4 - 7 races 1 discard, 8 - 9 races 2 discards, 10 - 11 races 3 discards, 12 - 13 races 4 discards, 14 - 15 races 5 discards, 16-17 races 6 discards, 18-19 races 7 discards, 20-21 races 8 discards.

• A series is constituted for a boat when it counts as a starter in half plus one of the races sailed in that series; rounded down if necessary to a whole number.

• Overall trophies are determined by the sum of the positions obtained from the primary series', including series' for which the boat is ineligible for a prize without discard of any series.

• The primary series for Cruisers are Evening 1, Evening 2, Offshore, Middle Distance and Pursuit and for Dinghies are Monday, Combined, Thursday and Weekend.

• Where a member acquires an alternative boat within a class, they may apply in writing to the relevant Sailing Sub Committee to request to transfer results to the new boat.

11.3. Average points are calculated as the mean average points of all races sailed in the series by the member rounded to the nearest whole number and can be claimed when:

• Undertakes a scheduled rota duty (excluding Cruiser Race Officer duties and galley duties during the weekend series)

• Specifically asked by the Dinghy Race Officer to undertake a duty

• Taking part in training activities as sanctioned by the Training Group


12. PY Handicaps
12.1. The RYA Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme (PY) as set out in the current Royal Yachting Association (RYA) publication YR2 will be used for the Cruiser fleets with the following amendments:

12.2. A boat without a current PY, SY or RN number listed in YR2 shall be allocated a club number (CN) by the Sailing Sub Committee using all available information that is brought to their attention.

12.3. CN numbers may be adjusted at such intervals as determined by the Sailing Sub Committee.

12.4. Any changes that are made that could materially affect the performance of the boat should be reported to the sailing committee before the boat races again.


13. Local Variations
13.1. Boats may use sails other than those meeting the appropriate class rules in normal club racing providing prior permission is granted by the appropriate sailing sub committee.

13.2. All boats shall keep clear of Scillonian III and Gry Maritha on their approach or exit from Penzance Harbour. Any boat failing to keep clear shall be subject to instant disqualification without hearing by the Dinghy Race Officer. This alters RRS 63.1

Dinghy - this section applies to dinghy competitors

14. Dinghy Conditions of Entry
14.1. All competitors must wear adequate personal buoyancy at all times when afloat. Neither a wet suit nor a dry suit constitutes adequate personal buoyancy. Inflatable type buoyancy aids will not be considered adequate unless fully inflated. Failure to comply will result in automatic disqualification. This alters RRS 40.

14.2. All competitors must ensure that their boat has adequate built-in buoyancy and may be asked to demonstrate this at any time.

14.3. Competitors shall ensure that names of the helm and crew are entered on the race sheet; any helm not complying with this procedure is liable to disqualification without a hearing. This adds to RRS 63.1.


15. Course Setting
15.1. Unless otherwise stated the Course 1 shall be sailed. See Appendix A.

15.2. IC Numeral Pennant 4 will signal that the race officer has defined an alternative course with details posted at the race desk. See Appendix A for alternative courses.

15.3. The number of laps for Mirror, Topaz Training and Topper Classes shall be indicated from the Clubhouse. Handicap boats with a PY number of 1000 or less will sail an additional three laps. Handicap boats with a PY number greater than 1000 will sail one additional lap.”

15.4. In the case that Course 2 (Old Olympic) is used, boats in the handicap fleet shall sail an even number of rounds. If SI 15.3 indicates that a boat shall sail an odd number of rounds this number shall be rounded up to the next even number.

15.5. When the first boat of the handicap class finishes all other boats in this class shall cross the finishing line at the end of the lap they are sailing (or the end of the next even number lap in the case of Course 2).

15.6. Course marks for dinghies are orange cylindrical inflatable buoys unless otherwise stated.

15.7. The Race Committee may decide that a mark should be moved after the start to maintain a good course. There may not be any notification of this; however the Race Officer will endeavour to cause as little disruption as possible. This amends RRS 33.


16. Dinghy Scoring
16.1. All Laser helms shall race in the Laser class whether rigged with Full sail, Radial sail or 4.7 sail with no variation in handicap.

16.2. Counting laps (dinghy handicap races only). When calculating average lap times the first lap will be counted as one third, two thirds or a whole lap whichever is appropriate.


17. Groups within Fleets
17.1. Laser Radial / 4.7 Rig Group: Laser Radial/4.7 rigs may form a Group which shall sail the same course as the Laser fleet.

17.2. A boat shall sign on as a Radial/4.7 and to qualify as a Group they shall use the same rig for at least half plus one races in a series.

17.3. A minimum of three boats must compete to constitute a series.

17.4. This Group will also be scored as part of the Laser Fleet.

17.5 Other Class groups may be formed at the discretion of the Dinghy Sailing Committee and they shall sail within their Fleet as described in 17.2, 17.3 and 17.4.


18. Junior Group
18.1. Junior helms and crews under 18 years old on 1st April of the season in question may form a Group whilst sailing in any class of boat.

18.2. The helm and crew shall sign on the Race Sheet as Juniors and to qualify as a Group shall do so for at least half plus one races in a series.

18.3. A minimum of three boats shall compete to constitute a series. Boats will be scored on PY handicap, finishing times will be taken for all Junior competitors.

18.4. This Group will also be scored as part of their Fleets and shall start with these fleets. The number of laps will be the same as for the main Fleets.


19. Committee Boat Starts
19.1. When a committee boat start is used the start sequence will be in accordance with RRS 26 with all fleets starting together. This alters the normal start sequence as details above.

19.2. The "class" signal shall be IC Numeral pennant 3rd Sub.

19.3. When a committee boat start is used the course may not consist of whole laps due to not starting at, but finishing at the clubhouse line. For the purpose of counting laps the first lap is completed when rounding the turning mark nearest the finishing line for the first time.


20. Shortening Courses
20.1. The dinghy course may be shortened to finish at the clubhouse start and finish line.

20.2. A shortening of course will be signalled by the display of the appropriate class lights along with two sound signals which may be repeated to draw attention to the signal. All class lights illuminated indicates that the course is shortened for all classes.

20.3. At the Race Officer’s discretion, IC Flag ‘S’ superior to the flag(s) of the class(es) to be shortened may be flown in addition to the above signal. The ‘S’ flag if flown alone indicates that the course is shortened for all classes.

20.4. The course may be shortened at any course mark by a safety boat acting on the authority of the race officer. A safety boat will make the flag and sound signals described above.


21. Change of Course
21.1. If the course is changed on the instruction of the race officer then neither a compass bearing nor any indication of a change of leg length will normally be given. This changes RRS 33.


22. Abandoning Races
22.1. A race may be abandoned by displaying an orange flashing light from the clubhouse and/or a safety boat with three sound signals. This alters RRS 27.3.

22.2. Safety boats may also display abandon race signals (flag N over H or N over A with three sound signals).


23. Time Limits
23.1. The time limit shall be 30 minutes after the first boat of the fleet finishing. This alters RRS 35.

Cruiser - this section applies to cruiser competitors

24. Cruiser Conditions of Entry
24.1. To be eligible to race all competitors shall complete and return to the Hon Secretary the “Entry Application Form”.

24.2. Boats shall be equipped with a VHF radio capable of receiving Channel M1.

24.3. For races in the Offshore, Pursuit and Middle Distance series (self-timed races) competitors shall ensure that they have a person ashore who is aware of their intention to go to sea.

24.4. For all races (except self-timed races) competitors shall ensure that the name of the boat, sail number and number of persons on board is entered on the race entry sheet at the race desk. This alters RRS 63.1.

24.5. Cruisers are permitted to use automatic steering.

24.6. Each competitor shall complete form CG66 and submit it to HM Coastguard.


25. Start Times
25.1. There are two cruiser start signals/times for all races (excluding pursuit races). The first start time is the published in the club handbook with the second start programmed for 10 minutes later (see SI 5)

25.2. The start time of all boats shall be determined by its current PY number. The details of which start signal each boat should start on will be published with the current PY Numbers.

25.3. In the event that a boat is given a choice of which start signal to start on, that boat shall start on the same signal for each race in that series and declare which start signal they will be using to the Cruiser Committee before sailing in that series.


26. Course Setting
26.1. Cruiser Course setting is the responsibility of the Cruiser Race Officer or a nominated deputy. In their absence, the following people may act as Race Officer in order of preference: Rear Commodore (Cruisers), a member of the Cruiser Sub Committee, any skipper.

26.2. The race course shall be posted on the noticeboard in the clubhouse porch and on the Race Desk at least 45 minutes before the start of the race. If not posted at this time it is the responsibility of the Cruiser Race Officer to transmit the course on Channel M at the Warning Signal AND the Preparatory signal.

26.3. A cruiser course may not be changed once posted unless considered dangerous or over-length by a flag officer and then only before the Preparatory Signal. Any changes will notified on Channel M, at the Warning Signal AND the Preparatory signal.

26.4. Gear pole is not to be used as a turning mark and Cressar and Ryeman poles are to be passed to seaward on any course.

26.5. Mount and Ryeman shall not be used as the first mark of a course, except for pursuit races.

26.6. The positions of race marks are listed in Appendix B.


27. Special Finishing Lines
27.1. The clubhouse finish line will be used except as follows or otherwise signalled.

27.2. For cruiser pursuit races the finish line is defined as an imaginary line from the previous mark extending beyond the finishing mark. As a signal to those following, each boat shall make, with due regard for good seamanship, a 360° turn as soon as reasonably possible after finishing.

27.3. For cruiser Offshore races the finishing line shall be between Gear Pole Isolated Danger mark and the Gear turning mark, leaving the Gear isolated danger mark to PORT. In the absence of Gear turning mark the finish will be between Gear isolated danger mark and the Promenade turning mark, leaving the Gear isolated danger mark to STARBOARD.


28. Shortening Courses
28.1. The decision to shorten course shall be made by the Cruiser Race Officer before such rounding mark is reached by any boat. The decision to shorten course shall be communicated on VHF Channel M1. Failure of a boat to hear this message will not in itself be considered grounds for redress.

28.2. The course may be shortened to finish at any rounding mark with the finishing line defined as for a pursuit race.

28.3. In the event of a shortened course, competitors shall radio their time to the clubhouse or if this is not possible, record their finish time and submit a time-slip as for a self-timed race.


29. Abandoning Races
29.1. The decision to abandon a race will be made by the Cruiser Race Officer.

29.2. The decision to abandon a race will be communicated on VHF channel M1.


30. Time Limits
30.1. The time limit shall be 40 minutes elapsed time for every hour (pro rata) of elapsed time that the leading monohull takes to complete the course.


31. Pursuit Races
31.1. A cruiser's start time for pursuit races shall be calculated by adding (150 - (PY Number ÷ 10)) minutes to the programmed start time rounded to the nearest second.
eg. for a PY of 1100 and a published start time of 1430: first calculate (150 - (1100 ÷ 10)) = 40, you therefore start 40 mins after 1430 ie. 1510.

31.2. The finishing mark is defined as the first mark the lead boat passes after the "Bogey Time".

31.3. The "Bogey Time" is 140 minutes after the published cruiser start time.


32. Self-timed Races
32.1. For self-timed races boats shall post a time slip in the box provided in the clubhouse foyer within 24 hours of finishing or within 24 hours of finishing the final race for a passage races.

32.2. To be valid the time slip shall include the following information: race start time, boat start time*, finish time, date, boat name, skipper's signature, Name of boats immediately ahead and astern (if known) and finishing mark. * It is essential for handicap calculations that if a boat starts more than 30 secs later than the scheduled race time that this is marked on the time slip for self timed races.


33. IRC Rating
33.1. Any boat wishing to compete under IRC shall present a valid in-date IRC certificate to the Cruiser Sub Committee prior to racing in the series(s) in which she wishes to compete.

Appendix A - Dinghy Courses

Course 1 – Triangle

This course is to be used unless otherwise signalled A triangular course. The turning mark may be ignored on the first and final legs of the race.

Course 2 – Old Olympic

A triangular course. On even numbered rounds boat may miss out the wing mark. Handicap boats must complete an even number of rounds. The turning mark may be ignored on the first and final legs of the race.


Appendix B – Cruiser Marks

The Cruiser Racing Marks are Yellow Special Marks positioned in Mounts Bay in the following positions (positions given in WGS84 datum).

These buoys are also marked on all new charts of Mounts Bay.

ODM - 50º 07’.30 N, 005º 31’.48 W
Gear Mark (NOT Gear Pole) - 50º 06’.47 N, 005º 31’.47 W
Prom Mark - 50º 06’.63 N, 005º 32’.03 W
Newlyn Mark - 50º 06’.33 N, 005º 32’.48 W
Midbay Mark - 50º 05’.75 N, 005º 29’.69 W
Mount Mark - 50º 06’.92 N, 005º 29’.00 W
Ryeman Mark (NOT Ryeman Pole) - 50º 07’.11 N, 005º 30’.33 W