Rules and Procedures
The Seven Lakes Sailing Club (SLSC) is devoted to the promotion of sailing, sailboat racing and safe boat handling in general. It abides by the universal maritime right-of-way rules and the US Sailing Rules for Racing. The SLSC sponsors mixed fleet races which are scored under the Portsmouth Number (DPN) handicapping system as administered by the US Sailing Association. Where required, we are also using Lake Auman specific handicaps on a trial basis since 2012.
There are four major topics on this page:
Visual and Sound Signal Starting Sequence
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Last Updated: 27 May 2016
RACING START EXAMPLEBased on a 1:00 PM start... |
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Time |
Flag Signal |
Flag |
What you will see |
Sound
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Explanation |
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12:55 PM (Start -5 min) |
WARNING |
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White Flag UP 5 Sounds |
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12:56 PM (Start -4 min) |
PREPARATORY | Blue Flag UP White Flag DOWN No Sound |
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12:59 PM |
Blue Flag DOWN No Sound |
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1:00 PM | START | Red Flag UP 1 Sound |
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Visual signals take precedent over sound signals. |
Recall
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Last Updated: 25 May 2016
All boats must make a proper start; i.e. cross the starting line between the committee boat and the pin in the direction of the first mark after the START signal. If a boat is over the starting line early, it shall be hailed by the Race Committee, identified by skipper or boat number, and told "Over Early". Boats over early must sail around either end of the starting line and re-cross the line. "Over early" boats have no rights over any other boats who have started properly and must remain clear of them until re-crossing the starting line.
If many boats are "over early", a General Recall signal shall be given. The Red flag will be waved and two sound signals shall be given. When all boats have returned to the Preparation area, the last five minute starting sequence will begin with the Preparation signal.
It is the responsibility of the Over Early boat to detect the hail from the committee boat. A boat not making a proper start will be scored DSQ by the RC.
Race Abandoned
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Last Updated: 25 May 2016
If a race must be abandoned (terminated), the Race Committee shall notify all skippers by hailing and/or by contact through the safety boats. Races abandoned or canceled may be re-scheduled at the discretion of the SLSC officers.
Shortened Course / Time Limit to Complete Race
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Last Updated: 25 May 2016
The established course may be shortened at the discretion of the Race Committee. If the lead boat has not crossed the finish line by a designated time (generally an hour), the race may be abandoned. Any boat not completing the race within thirty minutes of the first boat to cross the finish line shall be scored DNF (did not finish).
The course may be shortened by the Race Committee at any turning mark of the course. However, this must be done before any of the boats reach the mark. Three sound signals shall be given to alert the skippers of the changed location of the finish line.
Finishing the Race
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Last Updated: 25 May 2016
The first boat crossing the finish line shall be recognized by one sound signal. Other boats crossing the line will not receive a sound signal. As each boat approaches the finish line, a designated member of the Race Committee shall identify the approaching boat, sight along the finish line, and call "Over". The timer shall record the time. As each boat finishes, it shall clear the finish line to one side or the other and shall not interfere with boats still racing.
If a course shortening or special mark placement/windshift results in a 'buttonhook' finish (a line through the RCB and the pin makes an angle of less than 180 deg. to the next-to-last mark), the RC should reverse finish direction, to accommodate the shortest course, by displaying the white flag over the red racing (starting) flag. Such reversal shall be signaled in time for the first finisher to finish properly and will not be changed after it is displayed. The RC (or a safety boat) will attempt to verbally inform boats who cross in the wrong direction and leave the line.
Second Race
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Last Updated: 25 May 2016
At the discretion of the Race Committee, and upon successful completion of the scheduled race of the day, a second race may be scheduled. The Committee shall notify skippers completing the scheduled race that a second race will be conducted. The procedures used in the first race shall be the same as for the second race. Scoring shall also be the same. The race shall be considered an additional race in the series.
Scoring
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Last Updated: 12 March 2018
The method used for scoring races shall be the USSA Low Point System, with DNF, DNS, DSQ, etc. per Rule A4.2.
An entity's series score is sum of the best scores for one more than 1/2 the number of races, i.e. A 2-race series uses 2 scores, a 3-race series uses the 2 best scores, a 4-race series uses the 3 best scores, a 5-race series uses the 4 best scores, etc.
US Sailing Association Appendix A SCORING
A4.1 Each boat starting and finishing and not thereafter retiring, being penalized or given redress shall be scored points as follows:
Place | Points | |
First | 1 | |
Second | 2 | |
Third | 3 | |
Fourth | 4 | |
Fifth | 5 | |
Sixth | 6 | |
Seventh | 7 | |
Each place thereafter |
Add 1 point |
A4.2 A boat that did not start, did not finish, or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series. A boat that is penalized under rule 30.2 or that takes a penalized under rule 30.2 or that takes a penalty under rule 44.3(a) shall be scored points as provided in rule 44.3(c).
Ties are broken by USSA score ranking method, Rule A8.1. If a tie still exists, the boats will receive equal awards.
Protest Procedure
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Last Updated: 25 May 2016
If the skipper of a boat believes that a "foul" has been committed against his boat by another boat, he may elect to file a protest for the alleged infringement. The protesting skipper shall immediately hail the other boat(s) involved, so that they can discharge penalties if they agree, and, upon reaching the finish line, shall verbally notify the RC of intent to file a protest. The RC will issue instructions to the affected parties. The protest procedure should be viewed by skippers involved in the racing program as a means to resolve differences of opinion in a sportsmanlike manner. A protest can only be made by the skipper of the boat directly involved in and/or witnessing the incident. The race committee, however, can disqualify boats for observed violations. If appropriate, the skipper of the disqualified boat may appeal through the protest process. A protest flag is not required to be flown by eithr boat.
It is the responsibility of the protesting skipper to immediately notify the skipper of the boat which allegedly committed the foul that a protest will be filed, and shall upon reaching the finish line, notify the SRO of the intent to file a protest. A written protest should be filed with the RC Chair within 24 hours with a copy to the protested skipper. The protest should include:
- Time and location of the rule violation.
- Rule(s) violated
- The identity of the boat.
- A description of the situation
Protest Hearing
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Last Updated: 08 July 2016
The Race Committee Chair shall appoint an ad hoc Protest Committee of three. The Committee may include the RC Chair, members of the RC, or other skippers who where not involved in the incident. A hearing should be scheduled within one week of the completion of the race. The Committee should review the facts and determine if a rule was violated. A penalty, determined by the Committee shall be assessed if in fact a rule was violated. The judgement of the Committee shall be in writing with copies to all involved. Scoring of the particular race should be adjusted as necessary. Judgement shall be recorded and kept on file by the Secretary of the SLSC.
Fleet Handicaps
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Last Updated: 24 June 2023
BOAT | CLASS | HANDICAP | ||
American 14.6 | Centerboard | 96.1 | ||
O'Day Daysailor 17 | Centerboard | 98.5 | ||
Flying Scot 19 | Centerboard | 89.6 | ||
Highlander | Centerboard | 84.3 | ||
Precision 15 | Centerboard | 96.6 | ||
Sunfish | Centerboard | 99.6 | ||
Laser | Centerboard | 91.1 | ||
Catalina 22 | Offshore | 97.1 | ||
Hunter 212 | Offshore | 93.0 | ||
Hunter 216 | Offshore | 91.0 | ||
Hunter 22 | Offshore | 96.5** | ||
J22 | Offshore | 82.7 | ||
O'Day Mariner 19 | Offshore | 102.1 | ||
Cape Dory Typhoon | Offshore | 106.7 | ||
** The DPN value for the Hunter 22 is USSA Provisional = 98.4; USSA Yardstick Value = 96.5.
The Shorts requested the SLSC Handicap for their Hunter 22 be assigned 94.0 by the SLSC Handicap Committee.