Despite what is considered the ‘norm’, there are no ‘hard and fast’ rules for setting a course. These notes are based on what makes a ‘good’ course, for an enjoyable sail for the competitors.

1. Try and set a course with all the points of sailing (beats, reaches and runs – one or more of each).

2. Try and make the beat as true as possible.

If the wind is ‘shifting’ in direction then it is a good idea to put in two beats at slightly different angles to try and get at least one ‘true’ beat. The reason this is important (and is probably the thing most complained about when the Race officer gets it wrong) is that this leg gives the competitors the best chance, on the course, to overtake. If it is ‘one sided’ then this opportunity is lost and the course may be described by some as a ‘procession’.

3. This may seem obvious, but always ensure that the finishing line is on the natural route of the course (It will normally be between the last buoy and the first, but does not need to be.). Note that if the start and finish line are different then you CANNOT use average laps, and all boats must complete the same distance.

4. It is normal (but note the introductory paragraph) to have the start/finish on one of the ‘beat’ legs of the course.

5. Set the number of laps to ensure a race of about 1 hour (20 – 30 mins for the 10:30 race) always go on the long side – you can shorten a race, but you cannot lengthen it! Please display the number of laps on the board visible from the water OR ensure that you use the shorten course flag.

That is basically it. People do not expect the course to be perfect – none of us are professionals.
If someone recommends a change, ask them ‘Why?’ and if they respond with one of the above then, perhaps you missed something when you set the course – consider changing, at least in the subsequent races.

The start sequence for the Handicap races (10:30, 11:00 and 15:00) is the simple 5 – 4 – 1 – go.

Time to Start	Flag	Direction	Description
5 Minutes		↑	Raise ‘H’, One sound signal.
4 Minutes		↑	Raise ‘P’, One sound signal.
1 Minutes		↓	Drop ‘P’, One sound signal.
0 Minutes		↓	Drop ‘H’, One sound signal.
Recalls
If one or more boats, that can be identified, are over the line then
the Individual Recall flag should be raised with one sound signal. Boats only need to cross behind the line – they do NOT need to go round the end of the line unless you have specified with the ‘Round the End’ flag. That is not described here and will be up to you. I do not see the need for this with the small fleets we have at MKSC at present.
If you cannot (or will not be able to) identify which boats are over the line then
the General Recall flag should be raised with two sound signals and the start sequence started again from the beginning.

The race officer/assistant needs to keep an eye on the fleet: to ensure that the boats follow the correct course, and to keep track of each boat’s progress. It is a good idea to mark the boat’s position after each lap as well as indicating that they have completed a lap. For the normal Handicap races, please ALWAYS mark a boat as completing their last lap – as well as noting their time, as the number of laps is needed for calculating average lap times, when appropriate, for the slower boats.

The finish of the Handicap races (10:30, 11:00 and 15:00) is either after the set number of laps, or after raising the Shorten Course flag. If the end time of the race is approaching, and the lead boat will not complete the set number of laps then use the shorten course flag as the lead boat approaches the buoy before the finish line (normally the last buoy of the course) and make two sound signals.

↑

Shorten Course: Raise ‘S’, and make two sound signals, as lead boat reaches buoy before finish.

A boat then finishes when any part of the boat, in its normal position, crosses the finishing line.

• One Sound Signal

If the start and finish lines are the same, then it is possible to finish all boats that finish behind the lead boat. However, to be fair, if the lead boat is half way through lapping a group of similarly paced boats then all boats in the group should be allowed to continue, so that they are all finished in the same lap.

There are no set laps and no finishing line for the pursuit. As the race time for the slowest fleet reaches 1 hour, note the position of the boats on the water.

• At 1 hour, make One Long Sound Signal to indicate the end of the race. At this point the boats SHOULD continue to sail and SHOULD NOT over-take.

• Confirm the position of the boats on the water and this is their race finishing positions.

• Make One Sound Signal to indicate that boats may return to the pontoon/slip.

If you are unsure of the position of two boats (perhaps because they are on a beat and on different tacks) then you may wait until they either cross or they reach the next buoy, to determine their positions, before sounding the final signal.