- SKIFF SAILING RULES
- (FOR HANDLING YACHTS FROM SKIFFS)
- Revised Edition 1941
- Previous Issues are Rescinded
m A f o n o i t a i c o s s A g acht Racin Cri cq SKIFF SAILING RULES (FOR HANDLING YACHTS FROM SKIFFS) { Revised Edition 1941 Previous Issues are Rescinded Obtainable from the Treasurer Single Copy, 10 cents 10 or more Copies, 8 cents each W. E. TOPPING, Treasurer 1208 Lillibridge Ave., Detroit, Mich. MODEL YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA SKIFF SAILING RULES (FOR HANDLING YACHTS FROM SKIFFS) Revised Edition 1941 Previous Issues are Rescinded Obtainable from the Treasurer Single Copy, 10 cents 10 or more Copies, 8 cents each W. E. 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Once or more around the course as designated. A triangular course should be, as nearly as possible, equilateral, with one leg dead to windward. (2a) Rectangular Course, laid out to represent the shores of a pond, with anchored buoys, floats or markers, spaced every few yards and connected by lines to simulate the theoretical confines of a pond. Skiffs must keep outside the lines, and tack or re-trim only when the yacht comes to the line. As this method is intended to simulate pond sailing, the Rules for Pond Sailing shall be observed. The course shall be one windward and one leeward, or two reaching boards. The first board shall be completed by all the yachts in a heat before starting the return board. (For informal races, with limited number of skiffs, models may be followed, but not touched within the prescribed boundaries.) (2b) Alternative Rectangular Course, marked by four buoys. The start to be from outside the farthest buoy on the starting line, around the two outer buoys, and back outside of the nearer buoy on the finishing line. Or viceversa. (3) Straight Course, two legs, consisting of one windward and one leeward leg, or two reaching legs. Course to turning buoy or marker and return, finishing on same line as starting line. Once around only. (4) Composite Course, formed when one or more sides consist of a bank, shore, sea-wall, retaining wall, ete. A mate is allowed to handle the yacht by hand or pole from his position on shore, etc., as in pond sailing. S-2 TOUCH TAKING Touches shall be taken when sailing a triangular or a straight course. There should be enough touch-takers yacht participating in a heat or race. 5 to watch every Touch-takers shall begin to tally touches when the yacht crosses the ‘starting line, and shall. cease when the yacht has crossed the finish line. Touch-takers shall be posted in plain view of the yachts they watch, either on shore or in skiffs. They shall report the total of touches progressively to the skippers, if possible, and; at the end of the heat.or race, shall report the total to the scorer. Any contact of yacht with skipper, skiff, oar, etc., whether for re-trim or change of course, is a TOUCH. Touches will not be taken when sailing a Rectangular Course as described above. in Rule S-1, Clause 2a. Touches need not be taken for informal racing. 8-3 PENALTY FOR TOUCHES When. races are sailed by taking TIME, a penalty of ten seconds for each occasion a skipper handles or touches his yacht during the heat or race shall be added to the elapsed time. .The result shall be declared upon the corrected time. When races are sailed without taking time, a penalty of one-twentieth of a point for each occasion a skipper handles or touches his yacht during a heat or race shall be deducted from his score. S-4 ELIMINATION RACES, INFORMAL RACES, ETC. See Rule G-14, 8-5 TAKING TIME In Time. racing, the time at start and finish shall be taken when the foremast of a schooner or the mainmast of a sloop crosses the line. 8-6 TIME LIMIT A time limit for the course may be imposed’ by the O0.D. at any regatta. A yacht which does not finish within the time limit shall be scored zero (0) for that race. If no yacit has finished within the time limit, the.O.D. shall declare “No Race”, S-7 THE STARTING LINE AND FINISHING LINE The starting line and the finish line shall be as nearly as possible at right angles to the course, and shail be indicated by suitable markers. 8-8 STARTS There are three kinds of STARTS, the Timed Start, the Flying Start, and the Standing Start. 6 The first consists of taking the time of each yacht as it crosses the starting line, with the provision that all boats must cross within a given time of the starting signal, usually two minutes. The Flying Start takes the starting time of all boats at the starting signal, thus giving the advantage to the boats cross- ing first. The Standing Start is used for groups of yachts when no time is taken, and the yachts are lined up together at the starting line. 8-9 STARTING SIGNALS (A) The starting signals for all time races, to which (1) Preparatory Signal, to be given one minute before (2) Starting Signal, to be given one minute after the attention shall be called by whistle, gun, klaxon, horn, bell, etc., shall be: the Starting Signal. Preparatory Signal. (B) For small groups of yachts, the Preparatory Signal may be omitted, and the Starting Signal made as soon as the group is fairly lined up and ready to start. (C) If at the Starting Signal any yacht is over the line, she must return and start over again. A yacht so returning, or one working into a position from the wrong side of the line, must keep clear of, and give way to all other competing yachts. ; S-10 MARKS Suitable and substantial buoys or markers shall be used which shall be plainly visible from each leg of the course. S-11 WRECKING OR SHIFTING OF MARKS Should any mark be wrecked, or drifts, or is moved from its proper position during a race, the O.D. shall, if possible, have it re-placed. In the event that the mark cannot be re-established during a race, the O.D. may order a re-sail. S-12 READINESS FOR A PUNCTUAL START. All competing yachts must be off the course and the skippers on shore at least ten minutes before the scheduled time for the start of the day’s racing. 8-13 INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETITORS Before the start of the racing, each Competitor is entitled to know, and the O.D. is required to point out the following: (1) The course, and the number of times around. (2) The start and finish lines. (3) The turning marks and the sides on which they are to be rounded. (4) The direction of sailing, clockwise or anti-clockwise. (5) (6) The tack on which to start. The points to be scored, and whether or not touches will be taken, (7) The time limit for the course, if any. It is the responsibility of each Competitor to see that he is correctly informed as to the conditions of the race and the course to be sailed. 8-14 STATIONS AND STARTING (a) The position of the starting line, and placing of the marks shall be determined by the O.D. The distance between skiffs shall be not LESS than three yards. (b) The marks may be changed ONLY at the end of a round or race. (c) The starting tack may be changed at any time be- cause of a shift of wind. (d) Starting numbers may be drawn for before the start of the race. Upon option of the O.D., pre-arranged starting positions shall be as designated by standard authorized schedules. The first number called shall start on the left, facing the direction of the first leg of the course, and the others take places in the order called. (e) In windward boards, competitors must start on the same tack, as directed by the Starter or O.D. (f) In starting yachts they are not to be pushed, but are to be let go fairly on the starting signal. (g) At the start, yachts shall be allowed at least a skiff-length’s start before rowing after them to re-trim. 8-15 FINISH OF A HEAT OR RACE A yacht shall be deemed to have completed a heat or race as soon as her mast has crossed the finish line. After finishing, yachts must keep clear of those still in the race. S-16 HANDLING YACHTS FROM SKIFFS (a) Whenever a yacht is being tacked, or a re-trim is made, her way must not be accelerated by the skipper or skiff. (See S-17 also.) — (b) Any adjustment of the sliding-rig or steering-vane (c) A yacht must be tacked or re-trimmed ~4 hand only. shall constitute a re-trim. The use of the oar, pole, or skiff is prohibited. (d) A skipper may stop his yacht or draw her back to avoid collision, but must not advance her. Pushing a yacht sidewise to obtain offing is also prohibited. (e) A skipper may hold his yacht as long as is necessary, provided that he does not interfere with or block another yacht or skiff. (f) A re-trim is a re-adjustment of a yacht’s sails, gear, or rudder, that will allow her to proceed fairly on her course. Application of the tacking-gye constitutes a retrim. (g) On windward legs, a yacht may be tacked without making a re-trim. (This is counted as a touch.) If a yacht is touched and it is desired to keep her on the same tack, aretrim MUST be made. On leeward legs, a re-trim MUST be made every time the yacht is touched. (h) A skipper shall not perform a mere change of direction of his yacht without tacking or re-trimming, unless to avoid immediate collision. (See S-17b.) (i) A jibe is permissible only when the yacht is stopped in relation to the attending skiff. NOTE: Failure to conform to any clause of these Rules shall entail disqualification for the board, heat, or race in progress. 8-17 PROPULSION Progress of the boat in a race is permitted only by means of fair sailing. Propulsion by pushing, pulling, or towing in any direction by the skipper and/or the skiff, including lifting and dropping the counter, or manipulating or swinging the skiff so as to produce a wave, are PROHIBITED. The following are exceptions to this rule: (a) Should a yacht get aground or become fouled, the skipper is permitted to use reasonable means to get her afloat or free. She shall not be towed, pushed, or carried any distance by the attendant skiff. (b) A yacht may be stopped or drawn back to avoid collision. 8-18 HANDLING OF SKIFFS (a) Attendant skiffs must keep out of the way and out of the wind of the competing yachts and skiffs as far as possible, and unless a skipper is less than one oar’s length away from his yacht for the purpose of making adjustments, and his yacht has the right of way, the skipper shall give away with his skiff upon hail of another. (b) While handling or re-trimming a yacht (also bail- ing) the attendant skiff shall not be propelled or backed except when absolutely necessary to avoid collision with a competitor or to keep the yacht and skiff head-to-wind or down wind, as the case may be, in a heavy blow, or rough sea. (c) The penalty for unnecessary blocking or fouling of an opponent’s yacht or skiff is disqualification for the board, heat, or race. 8-19 TAKING YACHT ABOARD SKIFF (a) A yacht may be taken aboard its attendant skiff when disabled, or for the purpose of repairing damage, or for bailing out. Ordinary re-trims or adjustments must be made while the yacht is in the water. (b) For racing in the smaller classes, a yacht may be carried in the skiff to the starting line and launched at the starting signal. 8-20 CHANGING SAILS AND GEAR (a) Changing Sails. Sails may be changed while ashore, provided such change does not infringe the Rating Rules of the Class, but such changes shall not be permitted to delay the racing. (b) Changing Rudders. It is forbidden to change rudders during a race or series of races, except in case of bonafide damage to the original rudder. (c) Changing Steering Gear/s. A skipper is not obligated to use the same Steering gear/s throughout a race or series of races. (d) Changing Spars. In the A-CLASS and 6-METRES CLASS the yacht must always sail with spars as measured. NOTE: The jib-club is not measured, hence, a short jibclub may be used with small-suit jib. Alternate spars, if of identical dimensions and markings, may be substituted for the originals in the event of damage to the latter. Sails of less than the rated areas, such as storm suits, may be substituted for the rated suit, on the same spars. 10 In the M-CLASS and‘X:CLASS, complete rigs of spars, if within rating limits, and sails of the same or less than rated areas, may. be substituted for the rated sails and spars at any time. S-21 DISABLED YACHTS OR SKIFFS Ifa yacht is notrready to start when called upon to (a) do so, and thus misses two starts, she shall be considered a non-starter, and all points for and against her shall be deleted from the score. Loss or breakage of oars, rowlocks, or any other (b) part of a skiff, or. the overturning or foundering of a skiff shall not be grounds for claiming a re-sail, unless the acci- dent was directly caused by collision with a competitor. (c) Dismasting, disabling, or foundering of a yacht shall not constitute, grounds to claim a re-sail, unless the acci- dent was directly caused by collision with a competitor. S-22 REMOVAL OF DISQUALIFIED YACHTS When a yacht has been disqualified, she shall be removed from the course at once. $-23 ‘COLLISIONS AND FOULS (a) Tacking or re-starting a yacht shall not be done so as to involve the risk of immediate collision. (b) If two yachts foul or collide unavoidably, that which had the Right of Way shall be ‘started first. The skipper whose skiff first reaches the fouled yachts may not alter the trim of a competitor, but shall hook up any sheets that may have come adrift by reason of the collision, and shall start her on her proper course first. (c) Interference by an opponent’s skiff shall be suflicient grounds for a re-sail, provided that in the opinion of the O.D., the injured skipper had a chance to place or win. If such interference was.avoidable, or caused by negligence or indifference, the offending skipper shall be disqualified. (d) ‘If-one ofa pair or group fouls an obstruction, and is tied up for an appreciable period of time, the board, heat, or race shall be re-sailed only‘if the O.D. is of the opinion that the yacht so tied up had a chance to win or place. (e) If, during a race, a skipper demands a_re-sail by reason of collision, foul, or obstruction, and a re-sail is granted by the O.D., all.skippers in the heat will be com- pelled to re-sail, whether or not one shall have won the heat or race after all. ll S-24 BUMPERS To minimize damage by collision, no yacht shall be allowed to start in a race unless equipped with an efficient DurORer or fender which is subject to the approval of the 8-25 RE-SAILS (a) A re-sail must be sailed off before a heat or race is complete. When a re-sail has been ordered or granted, it is compulsory and not a matter of arrangement between the competitors. If in the opinion of the O.D., a re-sail is impracticable, the points for the heat or race shall be divided between the competitors affected. (b) If, when a re-sail is called, having been ordered or granted, or a tie score is to be sailed off, one of the com- petitors refuses to sail or is absent, the points for the heat or race shall be awarded to the other competitor/s, provided the latter be present. (c) Ina heat involving disqualification of a yacht, the heat or race may be re-sailed by such other yachts in the heat whose scores may have been affected due to such involvement. Re-sails of heats or races involving incidents of unavoidable nature shall be at the discretion of the O.D. NOTE: The penalty for withdrawal or refusal to sail is prescribed in General Rules. 8-26 (G-i16 and G-17.) ROUNDING MARKS Marks shall be rounded fairly on the correct sides as defined by the O.D. before the start of a race, but a yacht shall not be disqualified for touching a mark in rounding. If a yacht rounds a mark from the wrong direction, she must be re-sailed around the mark in the proper direction. Failure to do so shall automatically disqualify her, 8-27 RIGHT OF WAY Right of Way must be conceded by Competitors and pro- tected by the Race Officials. Being rights, not merely privi- leges, they must be conceded and respected. necessary to fight for them. It must not be (a) All skiff-sailing races sailed under the auspices of the M.Y.R.A.A. shall be conducted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Right-of-Way clauses. (b) Yachts, whether competing or not, shall observe Rules of the Road, i.e., yachts sailing free have right of way over those on other tacks. 12 (c) Competing yachts are required to observe the rules of the right of way, and must give way immediately whether or not hailed for the right of way by a skipper entitled to such right of way. (See also S-18 and §-23.) (d) When one yacht approaches another so as to involve the risk of collision, then one yacht shall keep clear in accordance with the following: (1) On Different Points of Sailing. The yacht sailing free shall have the right of way over those on other tacks, (2) Sides. On Same Point of Sailing with Wind on Opposite (a) When both are close-hauled with the wind on opposite sides, the yacht with wind on the port-side ear tack) shall keep clear. (b) When both are free, or both have the wind aft, but on opposite sides, the yacht with the wind on the port side shall keep clear. (3) Converging, Close-hauled. When two yachts, both clouse-hauled on the same tack, are converging by reason of the leeward yacht holding better wind, and neither can claim the right of a yacht being overtaken, then the yacht to windward shall keep clear. (4) Overtaking, Luffing, and Bearing Away. An overtaking yacht shall keep clear of an overtaken yacht as follows: PASSING TO WINDWARD: providing that the overtaking yacht makes her overlap on the side opposite to that on which the overtaken yacht carries her main boom, the latter may luff as she pleases to prevent the former from passing her to windward, until the overtaken yacht is in such position that her bowsprit or stem would strike the overtaking yacht abaft the main shrouds. At this point her right to luff from her course shall cease. PASSING TO LEEWARD: An overtaken yacht must never bear away to prevent another from passing her to leeward (the side on which she carries her main boom). The overtaking yacht must not luff until she has drawn clear and ahead of the yacht she has overtaken. The provisions of this clause over-ride those of Clause 2, part b; Clause 3, and Clause 4. (5) Altering Course. When one yacht is obliged to keep clear, the other (subject to the following clause), shall not alter her course so as to involve the risk of collision. (6) Rights on New Course. A yacht shall be entitled to her rights on a new course: (a) When she has filled away, but she shall not have the right to alter her course so as to involve the risk of fouling another yacht which (owing to her position) cannot keep clear. 13 (7) Overlap and Buoy-Room. If an overlap exists when Maren ss without tacking are about to pass a mark on the quired side, then the outside yacht and skiff must give the «other yacht and skiff enol buoy-room to pass clear of the mark. A yacht shall not, however, be justified in attempting to establish an overlap and thus force passage after another yacht has altered hat course for the purpose of rounding. (8) Obstruction to Sea Room. When a yacht is ap- proaching a shore, shoal, dock, rock, boat, or other ob- struction and cannot clear by altering her course without fouling another yacht, then the latter shall, upon being hailed by the former, immediately give room; and in case one is forced to tack or to bear away in order to give room, then the hailing yacht shall also tack or bear away, as the case may be, at or as nearly the same time and place as is possible without danger of fouling. But should the ob- struction be a designated mark of the course, a yacht thus forcing another to tack under the provisions of this rule shall be disqualified. A row-boat, or another yacht racing, of which the yacht concerned is obliged to keep out of the way, ranks as an obstruction for the purposes of this clause. 8-28 PENALTIES, DISQUALIFICATIONS If by disregard of the Skiff Sailing Rules, one yacht shall foul another, or compel another to foul a third yacht, or an obstruction, or to run aground, or which wrongfully causes another to luff, bear away, or tack in order to avoid collision, or which without due cause compels another yacht to give room or to tack, or which herself shall fail to tack or bear away as required, or shall in any other way infringe or fail to comply with any of these rules, or at- tempt to win by any other means than by fair sailing and superior speed or skill, shall be disqualified, unless in the opinion of the O.D., such violation or infringement was unavoidable. DEFINITIONS (See also General Rule G-22) Close-hauled. A yacht is close-hauled when sailing by the wind as close as she can lay her course with advantage in working to windward. Wind aft. A yacht with the wind aft is deemed to have the wind on the side opposite to that on which she carries her main boom. Overlap. Two yachts sailing the same, or nearly the same course, are said to be overlapping when either no 14 longer has a free choice on which side of the other she shall pass, and the overlap continues to exist so ay as the leeward yacht by luffing, or the windward one, by bearing big is in danger of fouling. Otherwise, they.are said to e clear. Luffing. A yacht is luffing when she so alters her course as to sail more nearly into the wind. Overtaking yacht. Of two yachts sailing the same or nearly same course, the one astern, if approaching the other so as to involve an overlap, is said to be the overtaking yacht, and she continues to be such after an overlap has been established and until she has drawn clear. Mark. A mark is any object used to indicate the course. Every essential or ordinary above-water part of the mark counts as a mark for the purposes of the definition, but no part below the water, nor an object accidentally attached to the mark shall be considered as part of it. S-29 (a) SCORING Scores for skiff-sailing shall be counted as follows: One point for completing the course, and one point for each yacht beaten. (NOTE: If sailing a RECTANGULAR COURSE (See Rule S-1, clause 2) scores shall be counted as in Pond Sailing Rule P-12.) (b) Tie-Race or Dead Heat. In the event of a tie-race or dead heat, the points shall be divided. (c) Tie Score. Should the leading yachts have scored equal points at the end of an Elimination, Division, or Race, or the Regatta, the yachts in question shall sail over the course once to decide the winner or place. 8-30 DISPLAYING SCORES At formal regattas, the Scores must at all times be conveniently and conspicuously posted at the pond-side. Skippers shall check their scores with those posted at the end of each heat or race. Any discrepancies in scores other than those pending decision by the O.D. or Regatta Com- mittee, unless cleared by the Scorer, shall be settled by the O.D. before the final results are announced. No subsequent question regarding scores shall be entertained. 15 FORM OF AGREEMENT FOR THE RECEIPT, SAFE KEEPING, AND RETURN OF TROPHIES, CUPS, Ete. (To be secured by the O. O. D. and transmitted to the Secretary of the M.Y.R.A.A within seven days after completion of races.) (See SAILING RULES No. 3, Clause c) PUACE..sencsnseesssesaeseneeserscuattasend teat nen Diat@inscsenscecisvestcacseassocsstertg eeenerseet , 19 I hereby acknowledge receipt Of the ………..:sssssssessseesssnessce cossessnsees on and promise toreturn same, in good condition, properly packed and insured, by mail or express, to such person as may be designated by the Secretary of the Model Yacht Racing Association of America, at least thirty days before the date set for the next following annual race. Signature Of Winer s.cccccsesec
