Blackpool  & Fleetwood Yacht Club

1  RULES

The race will be governed by the rules as defined in the World Sailing The Racing Rules of Sailing 2025 - 2028.

2.  SAIL NUMBERS

Any sail number differing from the hull number must be declared in writing on registration.

3.  STARTING SEQUENCE

As per World Sailing Rule 26. Class flag will be Flag ‘B’. In addition, a sound signal will be made.

3.1 STARTING SIGNAL

One gun and ICF B lowered for the first start at 12:50 hours which will be boats with an Eskimo Yardstick of 110. At the same time a time of 110:00 will be displayed on a timer at the Starting Point to coincide with the starting signal. Thereafter a SOUND SIGNAL will be made at ONE MINUTE intervals and the number on the timer at the Starting Point will be counting down (in seconds), to indicate the start of the next class. You shall only be deemed to have started when your allotted Eskimo Yardstick starting number is displayed. Your starting time for example if you have an Eskimo yardstick of 83 will be 83:00 NOT 83:59.

4.  RECALL SIGNAL: ONE MINUTE RULE

There will be no general recalls. If any boat is on the course side of the starting line during the minute before its starting signal, it shall thereafter return to the pre-start side of the line across one of its extensions (i.e. round – the – ends) and start. A sound signal shall be made immediately after the starting signal to indicate that one or more boats were over the line. Sail numbers may not be indicated, and it is the responsibility of each Helmsman to decide whether or not he was over the Start Line, prematurely.

5.   INTERFERENCE WITH BOATS STARTING

Any boat that, more than one minute before its start, interferes with boats that have started or about to start, will be disqualified. For this rule, a boat is deemed to be about to start during the minute before its starting signal.

6.   STARTING LINE

Will be an imaginary line between the Starting Point from its mast and an outer limit mark.

7.  FINISHING

One long horn / gun will be fired 110 minutes after the first start (When the timer reaches 000:00). Competitors shall continue to sail the course, maintaining position with respect to other competitors, ie. No boat shall overtake another until finished by a committee boat, flying a blue flag and sounding an individual finishing signal.

8.    COURSE

Will be displayed 30 minutes before the first start.

9.    PROTESTS

With a £5 fee (will be returned, if not deemed frivolous) to be handed in to the Race Officer within 30 minutes of the last boat finishing.

10.    DECLARATIONS

Must be signed in the Boathouse within the time limit as for protests. Please record sail no of boat in front & behind on the declaration sheet.

11.    PERSONAL BUOYANCY

Must be worn by Helmsman and Crew. Wet Suits and/or Dry suits although highly recommended, are not in themselves considered to be adequate personal buoyancy.

12.    ANCHOR, WARP AND PADDLE

Are recommended to be carried in each boat.

13.    ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES

The two-turn alternative penalty shall apply in accordance with World Sailing Rule (44.2).

14.    YARDSTICK

Your Eskimo Yardstick number is calculated by dividing your boats Portsmouth Number by a factor of 10.9 and rounding up or down to the nearest minute as appropriate. Your personal Eskimo Yardstick is shown at the top of this instruction.