Notice of Race

 

The Classic Boat Rally

Beaufort (SC) – Hilton Head - Savannah

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March 27 – April 1, 2010

                        Welcome to the fifth annual Classic Boat Rally (“CBR”) being held on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) for sailboats of classic design having an overall length of 15 to 24 feet, combining the adventure of sailing round trip from Beaufort to Savannah, racing daily along the journey, and sharing social interaction on shore in the evenings. The number of entrants will be limited to 20 on each leg (day) of the event except for Classic Boat Day in Beaufort, Sunday, March 28, when no limit will be placed on the number of participating boats. On that day only, at the discretion of the Race Committee, certain rules of the event may be relaxed as the sailing will be close to the sponsoring club. Note that you can stay ashore at night in comfortable accommodations, or you may stay on your boat if you prefer.

 

The SBC is organized by, and conducted under, the authority of Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club (BYSC) with the support of South Carolina Yacht Club (SCYC) and Savannah Yacht Club (SYC), and under the comprehensive umbrella authority of U. S. Sailing Association. Additional support for the event is provided by the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce and sponsors who volunteer time and financial donations. The net proceeds of the event, if any, are distributed to the junior sailing programs of the host yacht clubs.

 

Participation as a sailor in this event is inherently dangerous. The racing area is on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) which is open to commercial traffic which has rights of way. Additionally, the courses of the races are, at times, distant from shelter in the event of the development of adverse weather conditions. Further, the ICW is subject to shifts in the bottom contours (shoaling) which may not be accurately shown on charts or electronic navigation aids. In addition, tides are typically 7 to 9 feet vertically in this area, and tidal currents typically run 1 to 4 knots, causing hazards entering and leaving harbors and sailing under bridges, and often causing significant differences, under sail, between the directions of bearing and heading.

 

In light of the foregoing, the following will apply to all participants, to be relaxed only on Beaufort Classic Boat Day when the racing will be round the buoys near BYSC:

 

The tide takes approximately 6 hours each way to go from low to high and high to low. Going aground can be particularly problematic on an ebbing tide, so getting off a shoal, if grounded, must be done quickly to avoid having to wait for the next rising tide. Each skipper is responsible for making sure he and his crew are prepared, in the event of a solid, immovable grounding, to spend some time on a shoal, unassisted, until the boat is refloated by the next rising tide.   Consequently, the following should be noted:

1) Every participating vessel is responsible for being able to dislodge from a shoal; (2) if a vessel becomes lodged on a shoal, neither the RC nor the "buddy" will be obligated to render assistance for longer than 15 minutes; and (3) effective in 2010, every boat must be equipped with navigation lights (fixed or portable) and a waterproof flashlight with sufficient battery power for 8 hours of burning time.

 

1.         RULES

1.1       The races will be governed by the rules as defined in Racing Rules of sailing, 2009-2012. 

1.2       Bow numbers will be issued to each participating boat.

 

2.         ENTRY AND REGISTRATION

2.1       The racing will be open to up to 20 pre-registered sailing vessels for each day except for Classic Boat Day in Beaufort which will be unlimited with respect to the number of participating vessels.

2.2       All participating vessels shall be of classic design (as determined by the Race Committee) having an overall length (stem to stern) of at least 15 feet but not more than 24 feet and having a PHRF rating, as published by a recognized PHRF source and adjusted (by the Race Committee) for the specific sailing equipment of the vessel, between 250 and 370 inclusive.

2.2       All participating boats must have on board a functioning motor capable of propelling the boat at a speed of at least 3.5 knots and sufficient fuel to run 8 consecutive hours. The Race Committee may grant an exception to this rule on a day-by-day basis if the participant has an accompanying boat capable of towing at these speeds and distances.

2.3       “Classic Design” is defined as sailboats other than those designed primarily for one-design fleet racing and must be approved by the Race Committee. Examples of approved classes are Herreshoff 12 ½ (including “Doughdish”), Montgomery 15 and 17, Cape Dory Typhoon, Marshall 18 and 22 catboats, West Wight Potter 15 and 19, Precision 16 and 18, Ensign, Flicka 20, and Bristol 24. Other designs are welcome within the spirit of the event upon approval of the Chairman of the Regatta Committee.

2.4       Registration Form must be completed and Fees paid for each day not later than the day prior to the scheduled departure from the dock, and acceptance is subject to the daily limit of participating vessels.  It would be much appreciated if registration and meal reservations, payment of fees and meals in total could be made prior to March 1.

2.5       Bow numbers will be assigned by the Race Committee and must be displayed on the bow of each participating vessel.

 

3.         FEES, COSTS AND EXPENSES

3.1       The daily participation fee is $25 per participating boat, to a maximum of $100 for the entire event.

3.2       You are asked to register and pay for scheduled group dinners at the time of Registration, prior to March. Meal commitments will be made by the organizers based on reservations received.

3.3       Additional expenses will include optional evening meals, your personal housing, launch fees, dock fees and haul-out fees (if any). You are on your own for breakfast and lunch.  Dinners at yacht clubs and restaurants are shown in the schedule. The local restaurants where we will eat as a group are informal and reasonable (figure about $20 - $40 with liquid refreshments). Some evening meals will be on your own.  There will be no dock fees at the yacht clubs or charges for ramp launching and retrieval.

 

4.         SAFETY

4.1       It is the sole responsibility of each participant to decide, each day, whether to participate, whether to wear a PFD, whether to continue to sail, and how to respond to changing weather, sea, and tidal conditions.  

4.2       All participating boats are required to have safety equipment on board in conformity with Coast Guard regulations. The Race Committee may inspect each boat for having on board at least one wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) per person on board, one USCG Type 4 PFD (throwable cushion or life ring), an adequate bailing device (pump or bucket) unless the boat has a functional self-draining cockpit, a distress noise maker (horn or whistle), and a suitable anchor with at least 150 feet of rode. Sponges and sail bags are not considered adequate bailing devices. Night bow and stern navigation lights are required to be on board either properly fixed to the hull or capable of being attached properly in the event of the necessity of navigating after sundown. A flashlight or beam is also required to be on board.

4.3       All participating boats must have on board a compass and up-to-date, detailed navigational charts applicable to the area being sailed each day (subject to inspection by the Race Committee). The Maptech ChartKit (Norfolk to Florida) is highly recommended as the best chart set for the entire event. As a further aide, it is highly recommended that each boat have a GPS unit with “Blue Charts” or equivalent for the applicable area.

4.4       All participating boats must have a functioning hand held VHF radio on board. The Race Committee will call for reporting in by each participating boat via VHF radio, and significant communications regarding the course, course changes, and weather conditions will be made via VHF radio. Participants may speak with each other on the VHF radio but are subject to disqualification based on sportsmanship if the communication relates to supplying a competitive advantage. It is required that each boat also have a backup VHF and ample battery supplies.

4.5       All participants must have sufficient food and water on board for a day for all individuals that will be on board.

4.6       Participants will be paired into a “buddy” system, with each “buddy” having responsibility for helping the other, reporting breakdowns or problems, and staying in touch, visually or by VHF radio, with each other until both have safely reached the daily destination. 4.7  It is the obligation of the nearest boat to render help to any other participating boat that is in distress, and the Race Committee will make time adjustments for time lost in rendering such assistance. A “buddy” is not required to stay with a grounded vessel longer than 15 minutes and may proceed to finish the route after rendering whatever assistance is reasonably possible for a period of up to 15 minutes.

4.8       Engines may be used to avoid dangerous situations. If a significant racing advantage is gained by such use, the skipper must report such motor usage to enable the Race Committee to make appropriate time allowances.

4.9       Participants found not in compliance with the safety aspects described in this section are subject to being restricted from sailing in the event until compliance is achieved, and to disqualification from one or more of the day’s races if the non-compliance is found after the races have begun for the day.

 

5.         TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Note: The distances and starting times are approximate at this time and will be fine tuned by the Race Committee in the Sailing Instructions to be issued prior to the commencement of the event.  

Date    Day     Time   Description____________________________________________

3/27     Sat       9 to 1   Launch at BYSC and rig for sailing.

                        1 PM   Lunch at BYSC ($10)

                        1:30     Participants’ Briefing (at lunch)

3/28     Sun      12:00   Concurs d’Elegance Judging  

1:30     Participants’ Meeting (CLASSIC BOAT DAY)  

                        2:15     Start Race at BYSC to Bridge and Return (2 laps)

                                    Total distance sailing is 8.8 nautical miles

3/29     Mon     10:00   Participants’ Meeting, the dock at BYSC

                        10:30   Depart BYSC Dock

                                    Total Distance 17.5 nautical miles

                        4 to 5   Arrive SCYC, Windmill Harbour, Hilton Head Island

3/30     Tues       8:00   Participants’ Meeting, the dock at SCYC

                          8:30   Depart SCYC, through lock

                                    Total Distance 23.5 nautical miles

                        5 to 6   Arrive at Savannah Yacht Club

3/31     Wed    8:00     Participants’ Meeting, the hoist at SYC

                        8:30     Depart SYC

                                    Total Distance 23.5 nautical miles

                        5 to 6   Arrive at SCYC, Windmill Harbour, Hilton Head

____________7          Dinner at SCYC (coat and tie).  ($40 pp + cash bar.)

4/1       Thur     10:00   Participants’ Meeting, the dock at SCYC

                        10:30   Depart SCYC, through lock

                                    Total Distance 17.5 nautical miles

                        5 to 6   Arrive at BYSC

4/2       Fri        9 to 5   Haul out and depart

           

 

6.         HANDICAPPING AND RACE FORMAT

6.1       The “pursuit” format will be used in all races. The boats with the highest PHRF handicap (the slowest) will start first, and the lowest PHRF (the fastest) will start last. The time differential between the start of the participating boats will be determined by the Race Committee based on the length of the race. The Time on Distance formula will be used in applying the PHRF handicaps.  

6.2       PHRF certificates are not required. Published resources will be used, where available, to determine each boat’s PHRF handicap. Published resources include, but are not limited to, New England Region or Western Long Island Sound Region or U.S. Sailing. Differences among published sources will be resolved by the Race Committee. Adjustments from base PHRF ratings may be made by the Race Committee in advance of a race depending on factors such as equipment, rig, sail plan, weight, and other factors in the sole judgment of the Race Committee. The Race Committee may also make temporary adjustments to the PHRF of any participating vessel that, in its judgment based upon actual performance, deserves such a change in order to keep the racing fleet more evenly matched. The Race Committee will assign handicap ratings for boats not having a published PHRF rating or certificate based on the judgment of the Race Committee. The Race Committee’s decision regarding each vessel’s PHRF will be final, for each day’s races, although the Race Committee may adjust the PHRF for subsequent races. 

6.3       In application, differences in handicap ratings between the boats represent the number of seconds per mile of racing that, if the boats are sailed to their performance expectations, would make them equal in “corrected” time. For example, if one participating boat has a handicap rating of 270 and another has a rating of 300, the 30 point difference means that the boat rated 270 is expected to be 30 seconds faster per mile than the one rated 300. If the race is 10 miles long, the total difference is 300 seconds, or 5 minutes, and the boat rated 300 would start that race 5 minutes ahead of the one rated 270. They would be expected to cross the finish line at the same time.

6.4       The Race Committee may make adjustments to the estimated distance of a race depending on the direction and velocity of the wind and tidal conditions. For example, a race that is predominantly a beat to windward will require sailing a longer distance through the water than a race that is predominantly a reach or a run. Adverse tidal conditions will inherently add to the mileage that the boats go through the water even if the course is a straight line. Light winds give an inherent advantage to the boats with a lower handicap (the faster ones) since they have more time to make up distance after their delayed start. The objective of any distance adjustments made by the Race Committee will be to attempt to ensure fairness in application of the handicap ratings.

6.5       The races will be scheduled to be 5 to 14 miles in length and will be between a pre-designated starting line and finish line. The Sailing Instructions will specify the intended daily races; however, the RC may modify these courses to consider weather conditions and other factors that impact the safety and enjoyment of a particular leg of the event and will notify the participants of any changes prior to the start of each race. The Race Committee may adjust the time differentials in case of a shortened course.

 

7.         SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

The Sailing Instructions will be posted on the web site well in advance of the event. The web site is www.ClasicBoatRally.com . They will also be available at the Participants’ Meeting each day of the event.

 

8.         RACING AREA AND COURSES

8.1       The Racing Area will be on the ICW or on the related tributaries as described elsewhere herein.

8.2       The courses on each leg of the event will be described in the Sailing Instructions. All government navigational buoys must be observed unless explicitly made optional in the Sailing Instructions or by the Race Committee in advance of the race.

 

9.         SCORING and PRIZES

9.1       Each day having at least one race will be considered a Regatta.

9.2       In the pursuit format, first to finish is the winner of each race unless adjustments are made in consideration of delays due to bridge openings or assistance given to another participating boat or the use of an engine to avoid a dangerous situation. Failure to make a timely start, or running aground, or the development of equipment failures will not be cause for adjustment.

9.3       A “high Pont” system will be used. A “Finisher” is a boat that, having properly started, finishes within twenty minutes of the first boat to finish. The “Time Limit” for each race is twenty minutes after the first boat finishes. Each “finisher” within the “time limit” is awarded one point plus one point for every boat beaten. All others that properly started the race will be scored as having finished one place behind the last boat to finish within the time limit.  Daily ties will be broken by the finish in the last race of the day.

9.4       Awards will be given to the overall winners at the Victory Dinner in Beaufort on April 1. The “Bunky Helfrich Spirit Award”, the “Most Helpful” award, and the “Crab Pot” award will also be given at that time. Daily winner awards will be given out each evening during the event. Winners of the Concurs d’Elegance, including “Most Bristol” for boats older than one year”, and “Most Authentic” will be recognized at the BYSC dinner Sunday, March 28.

 

10.       VEHICLE AND TRAILER PARKING.

There is sufficient room at the BYSC to store your trailer and vehicle for the length of the event. There is no charge for this.

 

11.       DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY.

Competitors participate in the event entirely at their own risk.  See Rule 4 in RRS.  Decision to Race.  The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the event.

 

12.       FURTHER INFORMATION

Any questions may be addressed in advance to the contacts listed below or brought up for discussion at the daily Participants’ Meeting.  Additional information and updates will be provided on the web-site at: www.ClassicBoatRally.com .

 

Co-Chairmen:              Woody Norwood                                Frank Pontious

(h) 404-352-9536                                (h) 843-522-3320       

(c) 678-427-2937                                (c) 843-252-4900

                                    (e) snorwood3@me.com                     (e) fponti@islc.net