The Gig Harbor Yacht Club

May 2010 In-Harbor Series

May 6,13,20.27

Warning Gun 6:25 p.m.

Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions

The Event: A four race series of informal sailboat races to be held in the waters of Gig Harbor on the following four Thursday evenings in May 2010 (May 6,13, 20, 27).

Entries: All fixed keel, multihull or centerboard sailboats and sailboards are invited to participate in this event. There will be no flying sails allowed. This is a low key, low stress event. If a keelboat does not maintain a PHRF rating for this series, one will be assigned. Centerboard boats will compete in a modified and arbitrary handicap system. Complaints may not be accepted. Entry fee is $10 for the Series or $5 for each individual race. The entry fee will be waived for first time racers seeking temporary handicaps. Prizes will be awarded and will be commensurate with the total entry fees collected.

Rules: The races will be governed by the current Racing Rules of Sailing and the prescriptions of US Sailing, except as modified by these instructions. Protests will be frowned upon and decisions by the protest committee will be final and not subject to appeal. The 720 rule is in effect.

Safety: It is the responsibility of the skipper to provide for the safety of the crew and to have proper safety equipment and to sail in a safe and prudent manner.

The course: This will be set each race. There will be the start line and three course marks. The start line will be in the vicinity of Arabella’s Landing Marina. There will be a committee boat and an orange buoy to denote the starting line. One turning mark will be placed in the area of Anthony’s Shoreline Restaurant. The other turning mark will be set near the entrance to Gig Harbor. These will be orange buoys.

North Wind: If the wind is blowing from a Northerly direction, boats will start in a Northerly

Direction, the first mark will be the orange buoy in the area of Anthony’s Shoreline Restaurant-

-then around the turning mark near the entrance to Gig Harbor.

Leave all marks to Starboard.

South Wind: If the wind is blowing from a southerly direction, boats will start toward the

turning mark located at the entrance to Gig Harbor then around the Turning mark located near

Anthony’s Shoreline Restaurant.

Leave all marks to port.

The standard race will be twice around. IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL RACERS MUST GO THROUGH THE START/FINISH LINE AT THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST LAP. This is important as the race may be shortened after on lap. The standard course for classes 1 and 2 will be two laps unless shortened by the committee. For class 3 (dinghys) the standard course will be one lap. Boats should not go through the start/finish line after rounding the windward mark and proceeding to the leeward mark.

Race requirement. All boats must report to the committee boat before each race. This is to ensure that we have your entry correct. You will also be advised of your class and order of start.

Start: There will be up to three separate starts, one for each class, provided there are sufficient boats in a class to warrant a separate start (see classes below). See the attached starting sheet for sound and visual signals. We will sound three quick sound signals 15 seconds before the start of the 5 minute sequence for class 1. Remember that the second and subsequent starts are five minutes after the first start. The first warning signal is scheduled each Thursday of racing at 6:25 p.m. We will try our best to get races started on time.

Classes: Your assignment to a particular class will be at the sole discretion of the Race Committee. Basically, the class breaks MAY be as follows: Note that depending on turnout, classes 1 and 2 may be combined for the start at the digression of the committee.

Class 1 First Start Faster boats (J-35, Mumm 36, Ericson 35, etc.)

Class 2 Second Start half-fast boats (Thunderbird, Olson 25, San Juan 28, etc.)

Class 3 Third Start Dinghies—(depending on numbers there may be a separate laser start)

Time limit: Each boat not finishing within 120 minutes of its start will be scored DNF (Did Not Finish). The committee may shorten the course. Remember to pass though the Start-Finish line at the completion of the first lap.

Scoring: Each boat will receive the number of points equal to the finishing position within the class. Points will be totaled after the series to determine the series winner. DNF will be scored as the number of finishers +1 for each race. OCS, DNS and DSQ will be scored as the number of starters +1.

Special Instructions: May 13^th will be “Women or Junior Sailor at the Helm” night. Except for single-handed boats, a female or junior sailor shall be at the helm for the entire race. If you are unable to find a female or junior sailor (having not celebrated their 18^th birthday yet) to helm, the race committee will provide a suitable, arbitrary, Handicap for your boat for this race. In other words, it may be impossible for you to win. Of course, women or juniors may helm at any time in all of the races.

The fleet and committee will gather at Spiro’s for a no host function and results. Results will also be posted at www.gighaboryc.com