To play the game, you got to know the rules.
In addition to the Racing Rules of Sailing, our particular race is governed by an additional set of documents, which are made available here, for your convenience.
NOR Amendment 1: Elimination of white flares. Allowing generators. Check it out .
The official NOR is posted and attached below. We are also pleased to provide you with an interactive web version .
A few facts about the NOR
The NOR contains numerous references, of course, to the Offshore Special Regulations. USSailing has kindly provided an extract of these regulations for monohull and multihull category 1 races.
For your convenience, we have posted a mash-up of the 2007 Special Regs , the NOR, and other materials in a single document for planning purposes.
This is the Notice of Race for the 2008 Pacific Cup race from San Francisco to Hawaii. With its appendices, it defines the rules and requirements for entering and preparing for the race. The Sailing Instructions, published about a month before the start of the race, will set out the rules and procedures applicable during the race itself.
In these documents, the words “shall” and “must” are mandatory: you must comply with them. The word “should” indicates something recommended but not mandatory. The words “can” and “may” are permissive: you may take it or leave it. If this is the first time you have participated in a long distance ocean race, you may have questions about the following information. We encourage you to contact us with any and all of your questions. Visit our website (www.PacificCup.org) for advice. Contact us at the contact link on the site or in person. We are happy to help and enjoy talking to fellow sailors pursuing the adventure of the fun race to Hawaii.
The organizing authority for the Race is the Pacific Cup Yacht Club. The Race will be governed by the 2005-2008 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) including the US Sailing Prescriptions, except as modified by this Notice of Race and its appendices, including the Equipment Requirements, and the Sailing Instructions (“SI”), to be published in May, 2008. This is an invitational race designated Advertising Category “A” under ISAF Regulation 20 .
Certain specific alterations to the RRS are listed in Appendix I .
Yachts must, except as specifically exempted by the NOR or Sailing Instructions, comply with all requirements imposed by their rating certificates or, if racing as a class, class rules. Yachts may disregard maximum crew and sail number limits.
All yachts are strongly encouraged to follow the STC Safety Guidelines and STC Guidelines for Rendering Assistance. These guidelines are available on the website: www.stormtrysail.org .
Based on the composition of the fleet, the entries will be divided into several divisions. Division assignments will be announced after the deadline for entries.
In addition to overall and division competition, yachts may be entered in special classes based on common characteristics. These classes may span divisions. A class may be formed by PCYC or by a group petitioning PCYC for such a class. If a special class is formed, PCYC may include or exclude any yacht from it.
Double-handed and fully-crewed monohull yachts will compete for all yacht awards listed in paragraph 12 . Multihulls will compete for all yacht awards other than the Pacific Cup.
Each yacht shall designate a Skipper and a Navigator. These may be the same person. The skipper is the person ultimately responsible for the yacht and represents the yacht for the purposes of race entry, protests, trophies, etc.
The minimum number of crew is two persons for monohulls and four persons for multihulls.
Within five years before the start, at least 30% of those on board the yacht– one of whom must be the owner/charterer -- must have attended a US Sailing sanctioned Safety at Sea Seminar. For double handed entries, both members must have attended.
Yachts will compete on corrected time using a time-on-distance Pacific Cup Rating (PCR) rating. Formulae used to calculate PCR ratings may be found at www.pacificcup.org/ [when available. Not up as of May]
The PCR rating will be calculated from the yacht’s official rating certificate which shall be
For Multihulls, a PHRF certificate issued by the Bay Area Multihull Association (“MPHRF”)
For Monohulls, a PHRF certificate issued by Northern California PHRF Committee (“PHRF”), or
an ORR Measurement Certificate issued by US Sailing (“ORR”).
Specific requirements for when PHRF or ORR may be used are detailed in Appendix III .
Any yacht failing to submit a valid certificate by the deadline in paragraph 13 will be penalized ten minutes of elapsed time for every day the valid certificate is late past the deadline.
A yacht shall race only in the configuration specified by the certificate under which she is racing, including carrying on board all equipment, furniture, and so on as required.
A yacht shall carry a copy of her current valid rating certificate onboard during the race.
All yachts must comply with the 2006-2007 ISAF Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Equipment and Preparation and the US Sailing prescriptions to them, with adjustments and amendments by PCYC as defined in Appendix IV. This is a Category 1 long distance race where yachts will be well offshore and must be completely self-sufficient for long periods of time.
The Equipment Requirements of this Race exist to foster greater safety afloat and to discourage the sacrifice of safety to considerations of weight or competition.
It is the duty of the Skipper and crew of each yacht to assure compliance with the Equipment Requirements . Each yacht will be assigned an Inspector whose role is to attempt to identify any omitted requirements, review the proper installation of required equipment, and review any proposed variations with the Technical Committee. The Inspector may additionally provide informal advice and coaching on safety and other factors affecting a successful race. These inspections in no way relieve the Skipper of ultimate and full responsibility for the safety of his or her yacht and crew.
The Skipper must arrange with the Inspector a mutually acceptable time and place for the pre-race Inspection of his or her yacht. Inspection scheduling deadlines and late fee can be found in section 13 “Schedule of Events, Fees, and Deadlines”. A yacht that fails to complete and pass her inspection prior to starting is not an entrant.
PCYC may re-inspect any yacht before the start and after finish. A yacht racing and found not to comply with the Equipment Requirements may be disqualified, otherwise penalized, and/or excluded from future Pacific Cup participation.
To be complete, an entry must include the following items:
1. Completed Entry Form and Waiver, Part One.
2. Completed Entry Form, Part Two (supplemental information).
3. Completed Entry Form, Part Three, for each crew member (Crew Info and Waiver).
4. Signed copy of the appropriate rating Certificate
5. Entry fee paid to The Pacific Cup Yacht Club and any late fees.
6. Life-raft Certificate (as per OSR 4.20.4, copy to be submitted to inspector).
7. Completed and signed Skipper’s Certificate.
8. Late fee(s) (if required under NOR 5 and/or NOR 8) .
Forms and instructions may be found at www.pacificcup.org/
Facilities at Kaneohe Yacht Club are limited. Only a limited number of entries can be accepted. Priority for entry will be accorded to yachts pre-entered and who have completed entry Part One with the entry fee. Completed entries received after the entry limit is reached may remain on a waiting list in the order of receipt. Historically, wait-listed yachts have a very good chance of participating in the race.
The principal means of announcing changes to the NOR, Sailing Instructions and other documents will be posting on the PCYC website (www.pacificcup.org). PCYC additionally intends to announce changes by mass e-mail.
Submissions to PCYC Shall Be made in the following ways, as may be further updated by notice posted on the PCYC website:
1. By online submission using the forms provided at www.PacificCup.org
2. By fax sent to (925) 906-9282
3. By a file attachment (such as a scan or pdf) sent to PacificCup+entries@gmail.com
4. By mail sent to
PACIFIC CUP YACHT CLUB
Bobbi Tosse
817 Hawthorne Dr.
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Checks payable to “Pacific Cup Yacht Club” if not paid online should me mailed to the above address.
All submissions will be deemed sent as of the date submitted or (if physical) postmarked. Submissions are deemed received as of the actual receipt date. Entrants are encouraged to use the links and forms on the PacificCup.org website to avoid errors in document submissions and subsequent penalties.
Inquiries by email:
Inquiries by mail or phone:
PACIFIC CUP YACHT CLUB
Mary Lovely
2269 Chestnut Street #111
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 441-4461
Awards will be presented at the Awards Banquet. The distribution of awards at the Awards Banquet is final. The principal awards are as follows:
Yacht Awards:
· The Pacific Cup, a bronze cup awarded as a perpetual trophy for first place monohull on corrected time.
· The Latitude 38 Performance Trophy, a perpetual trophy awarded for statistically best performance relative to division, as compared to winners in other divisions.
· The Fastest Passage Trophy, awarded as a perpetual trophy for the shortest elapsed time without time allowance.
· For a New Record Passage, the “Merlin” half-model awarded as a perpetual trophy for the fastest passage on record from San Francisco to Hawaii. The time to beat is Mari-Cha IV’s 5 days, 5 hours, 38 minutes and 10 seconds set in 2004 by Robert Miller.
· For each Division: First, Second and Third place trophies on corrected time (depending on the number of entries in each division).
· Best First Passage, awarded to the best passage by a “rookie” yacht and crew as identified by the Race Committee
· Best Prepared Yacht, awarded to the yacht which, as identified by the Chief Inspector with input from all Inspectors, best demonstrates a thorough, thoughtful, and seamanlike preparation for the race, including implementation of the Equipment Requirements.
· The First Hawaiian Yacht to Finish Trophy is a 3 foot high carved wooden statue of King Kamehameha, awarded to the first yacht to finish on corrected time, skippered by a resident of Hawaii.
· The Carl Schumacher Trophy, awarded to the first Carl Schumacher-designed yacht to finish on corrected time.
· Team Trophy A trophy will be awarded to the three-yacht team with the best total performance. Any three yachts from the same yacht club may register as a team entry.
· The Oceana Trophy, awarded to a yacht selected by the trophy committee for demonstrating a substantial commitment to a clean and healthy ocean environment.
· Valuable and Invaluable Prizes for FUN and Significant Accomplishments during the race will be awarded and announced at the awards presentation.
Individual Awards:
· The Henri Lloyd Navigator's Award, presented to the navigator who demonstrates the highest level of skill at the art of navigation by classical as well as modern methods. The winner will be chosen based on logs and charts submitted to the Race Committee, as well as on the finish position of the yacht.
· The George R. Barrett Memorial Trophy, a teak sailboat awarded as a perpetual trophy to an individual, chosen by the PCYC Commodore, who has exhibited outstanding seamanship as well as distinguished service, dedication and enthusiasm for the Pacific Cup Yacht Race.
· The Doug Vann Memorial Trophy, five silver dolphins leaping over a cresting sea awarded as a perpetual trophy to an individual chosen by Kaneohe Yacht Club, who through his/her enthusiasm and dedication best exemplifies the spirit of the “Fun Race to Hawaii”.
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Nov 1, 2007 |
- Entry fee of $650 + $5/ft LOA - Last day for full refund upon withdrawal |
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Feb 1, 2008 |
- Deadline for application for a new PHRF certificate |
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March 1, 2008 |
- Last day to submit a photo of your yacht. - $150 late fee added to entry fee - Last day to withdraw and obtain a partial refund (75% of entry fee) |
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May 1,2008 |
- Entry deadline (Part One with entry fee) |
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May 30, 2008 |
- Last day to make an inspection appointment without fee. Scheduling an inspection after this date incurs $200 fee |
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June 20, 2008 |
- Deadline for completion of entries. - Final valid rating certificate must be sent by this date (Note penalty for late certificate submission in paragraph 6.) |
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July 3, 2008 |
- Inspection Deadline. Any inspections after this date incur $300 fee, in addition to late scheduling fee. |
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July 12, 2008 |
- Skipper's Meeting. - Last day to submit Skipper’s Certification. - Last day to correct inspection deficiencies. - Bon Voyage Party. |
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July 14, 2008 |
- Earliest Race Start (slowest-rating yachts). |
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July 19, 2008 |
- Latest Race Start (fastest-rating yachts). |
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August 1, 2008 |
- Awards Dinner and Trophy presentations at Kaneohe Yacht Club. - Rating Certificates must be valid through this date. |
1. For determination of the right of way between contestants, Part 2 of the racing rules shall govern, except between sunset and sunrise, the following shall be substituted for Rule 17: “When two yachts are on the same tack and within three overall lengths of the larger yacht, the yacht being overtaken shall maintain her proper course. The overtaking yacht shall keep clear and neither yacht shall bear away toward or luff the other.”
2. The forestay of a yacht may be temporarily removed for the purpose of jibing and must be reattached at the first opportunity after the jibe is completed.
3. Delete RRS 55.
4. Powered Winches: No restriction is placed on the use of powered winches, powered hydraulics, powered pumps, or powered furling devices (amends RRS 52).
5. Shiftable-ballast: RRS 51 is modified to allow entry of yachts employing shiftable-ballast (e.g. water ballast or canting keel), providing such ballast shift is accurately represented on their ORR certificate. RRS 51 will be enforced for all yachts not rated for moveable ballast. Portions of RRS 51 not related to moveable ballast will be enforced for all yachts.
6. RRS 50.2 is modified to allow the use of two spinnaker or whisker poles when no spinnaker is set. This is to allow twin jibs to be set wing and wing. Poles shall not be longer than JC.
Yachts are eligible to compete in the 2008 Pacific Cup race as follows:
1. To be eligible, a yacht must be seaworthy and capable of making a safe passage from San Francisco to Hawaii and return. Additionally, the skipper and crew must be prepared and committed to handle serious breakdowns (e.g., loss of rudder or mast) without outside assistance. The Race Committee will scrutinize (and may exclude) entries from yachts (or skippers) that in the past have required outside assistance to complete an offshore race (and in particular a previous Pacific Cup Race).
2. All yachts must be prepared to anchor out at Kaneohe if requested to do so. Those exceeding 40 feet or draft over 7.0 feet and all multihulls should expect to be required to anchor out.
3. Each yacht shall have a current and valid rating certificate as described in this document.
4. All yachts shall be equipped as minimally specified in Appendix IV .
5. The Race Committee reserves the right to require additional documentation from a naval architect that the yacht is seaworthy and capable of making a safe passage from San Francisco to Hawaii and return.
6. ISAF Regulation 22 (Definitions for Competitor Classification) applies to this event. All classifications in any composition are eligible to race.
7. If supplied by the race management organization, all yachts will be required to carry a position transponder (rented from the provider specified by the race management organization) on board to aid in the tracking of vessels. A security deposit will be required by the provider and will be refunded in full upon return of the undamaged transponder.
8. Yachts shall exhibit a negligible port or starboard list when in measurement trim (i.e. with no crew, sails, life rafts, provisions, gear or personal gear aboard). Upon departure to start the Race, a yacht shall exhibit at the dock in sheltered water, fully loaded, fueled and provisioned but with no crew aboard, no more than a 2-degree list. Except as noted in this NOR, RRS 51 shall apply from departure from the dock.
9. Monohull length and stability limits
· Minimum overall length (not including overhanging spars) is 24 feet.
· For the purpose of OSR 3.04.3, a minimum limit of positive stability of 105 degrees is required. For yachts with moveable ballast, an ORR/IMS stability index of at least 115 is required. Documentation of stability may be required for individual yachts at the discretion of the Race Committee, and may take the form of a stability calculation from a measurement rating certificate, an analysis and certification from a naval architect, or demonstration.
10. Multihull length and stability limits
· Minimum overall length (not including overhanging spars) is 33 feet.
· The ratio (Displacement * LOA) / (SAd * RigHeight) must exceed 2.1, where overall length is as defined above, Displacement is in pounds without crew or consumables, SAd is downwind sail area (sum of main and spinnaker), and RigHeight is rig height above water.
11. The Race Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry.
The PCYC technical committee will make the final determination whether a yacht’s PCR will be based on MPHRF, PHRF, or ORR.
Attention is called to deadlines in Paragraph 13 , and penalties in paragraph 6.
An ORR certificate will be required of monohulls fitting any of the following categories:
· Any yacht with a PHRF rating less than 40
· Any yacht sailing with moveable ballast
· Any yacht flagged by either the Northern California PHRF committee or the Pacific Cup Technical committee as having an unreliable PHRF rating. This may include yachts having a short PHRF rating history with Northern California PHRF, or other unusual or extreme designs. “Short rating history” includes yachts with recent spinnaker area changes of greater than 10%.
Yachts not fitting these categories may submit an ORR certificate and request that their PCR be based on ORR.
All yachts holding both ORR and PHRF certificates are requested to submit both. This is to facilitate improved ratings for future races.
Requirements for PHRF certificates:
· Any application for a new PHRF certificate must be filed with the Northern California PHRF committee no later than Feb 1, 2008.
· Note that if this yacht type has not been rated before 2008 by Northern California PHRF, then “short rating history” will probably apply.
· Requests for a rating application form should be sent directly to: YRA, Quarters 35 S, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123. Information is available on the web at: http://www.yra.org.
Additions and modifications to the 2006-2007 ISAF Special Regulations for Category 1 Races (OSR):
1. Scantlings (OSR 3.03.1): The requirements of OSR 3.03.1 are waived except that the Race Committee reserves the right to require that the architect and/or builder of a yacht to which this Section would apply provide a certification that the yacht was designed and built in accordance with the requirements of OSR 3.03.1.
2. Toilet (OSR 3.18): A fitted bucket or other suitable head will meet the toilet requirement.
3. Water Tanks and Drinking Water (OSR 3.21): OSR 3.21.1 & 3.21.2 are amended to read: Each yacht shall start with at least 15 gallons of drinking water per person on board. At least one third of the water shall be stored in properly installed tanks. Water storage shall be arranged so that failure of any component (tank, pump, hose) will not cause loss of more than half the total supply. The remaining water may be stored in suitable and properly stowed portable containers. No other beverage is an acceptable alternative to water. The water required by SR 3.21.3 (amended below) may be included in the required 15 gallon total per person. Whether or not there is an onboard water maker, each yacht shall consume its potable water in a prudent and timely fashion, and shall not rely on a water maker as an alternative supply of potable water, except in emergencies.
4. Emergency Water (OSR 3.21.3): OSR 3.21.3 is amended to read: For emergency use, at least one gallon of potable water per crew member in sealed containers is required, to be available for inspection at the end of the race." This water is for emergency use only, and if used, the yacht must withdraw from the race for noncompliance with this section, or be subject to disqualification or protest. Note that water stored in a "grab bag" will be counted towards this requirement, but that any water packed in the life raft will not be counted.
5. Halyards (OSR 3.25): OSR 3.25 is amended to require, in addition, that each yacht shall have a halyard that may be led to a winch and still be of sufficient length to reach the yacht’s waterline. The strength of this halyard and winch shall be more than sufficient to safely hoist the heaviest crewmember in water-soaked clothing aboard the yacht.
6. Emergency Navigation Lights and Power Source (OSR 3.27): A masthead tricolor is recommended for the primary navigation lights offshore due to its superior visibility by ships. When used in this manner, the normal bow and stern lights will suffice for emergency navigation lights if of suitable power and if coupled with more than one battery and separate wiring. The common battery selection switch does not disqualify this arrangement.
7. Engine and Fuel (OSR 3.28): OSR 3.28 is amended to permit, as an alternative to the inboard engine required by 3.28.1, an outboard engine which may be carried on the transom or securely stowed belowdecks in such a way that it is available for immediate deployment. The requirements of 3.28.3 apply, except that a sealed and approved portable container may be carried above the working deck or in a vented locker such that there is no possibility of leakage into the bilges or interior of the yacht.
8. Battery (OSR 3.28.3 d): If an inboard engine (with a separate starting battery per OSR 3.28.3 d) is not provided, then a separate battery (fully charged) of at least 50 amp hours capacity shall be provided, the primary purpose of which is to act as a reserve for the SSB marine radio. If an inboard engine is fitted, then there must be a provision for powering the SSB radio from the separate battery required by OSR 3.28.3(d). Note that a robust electrical system and radio installation is advisable because there is a severe penalty for every failure to report at daily roll call.
9. Marine Radio (OSR 3.29): OSR 3.29 is amended to require, in addition, the following: Each yacht shall be equipped with two radio transceivers, one VHF-FM and one HF-SSB.
10. Antennae (OSR 3.29): OSR 3.29 is amended to require, in addition, the following: Each yacht shall carry a second antenna for emergency use with the SSB transceiver.
11. Sail Numbers (OSR 4.01): The requirements for sail numbers described in OSR 4.01 and in RRS Rule 77 and RRS Appendix G are amended to require as a minimum, that each yacht must have a number of the specified size (but not necessarily style) on her mainsail. The required number does not need to be an officially assigned sail number but shall be unique within the Pacific Cup fleet. In the event of duplicate numbers, priority will be given to (1) officially assigned numbers, and (2) the earliest entry. A subsequent entry with duplicate numbers will be required to change. Also, class insignia and nationality letters (as per RRS G1.1, G1.3) are not required. Contravening nationality letters (as per RRS G3) are allowed.
12. Anchors (OSR 4.06): OSR 4.06 is amended to require, in addition, that the anchors be suitable for anchoring the yacht safely. “Suitable” as used in this paragraph and in OSR 4.06 will be satisfied by gear which meets the recommendations of the yacht manufacturer, anchor manufacturer or West Marine. A suitable rode consists of a minimum of one-half yacht length of chain of suitable diameter plus 200’ of rode of suitable diameter.
13. Charts (OSR 4.11.1): OSR 4.11.1 is amended to require, in addition, that each yacht shall carry on board a current copy of Chart No. 19359 for Kaneohe Bay.
14. Emergency Steering (OSR 4.15): OSR 4.15 is amended to require, in addition, that a yacht’s skipper and crew shall test the alternative method of steering under sail in no less than 10 knots of wind and demonstrate the ability of the method to steer the yacht both upwind and downwind. Following a successful test and prior to starting the race, the skipper shall submit to the committee a written statement that such a test was performed successfully.
15. Tools and Spare Parts (OSR 4.16): OSR 4.16 is amended to require, in addition, that each yacht shall carry on board a banding tool capable of applying a steel band. Each yacht shall also carry bolt cutters capable of cutting the yacht's heaviest stay or a minimum of two (2) hacksaws with carbide blades.
16. EPIRB (OSR 4.19): The EPIRB required by OSR 4.19 may not be packed inside a life raft, and must be accessible without opening a life raft canister or valise. If an EPIRB is packed with a life raft, then an additional unit will be required to meet this section.
17. Liferaft Stowage (OSR 4.20.3): OSR 4.20.3 is amended to read: A liferaft shall be stowed either on the working deck, in the cockpit, in an adjacent compartment, or below decks. Stowage must be in a secure location and accessible, such that deployment is not obstructed by other gear. Liferafts not stowed on deck or in the cockpit may not exceed 40kg unless deployment does not require lifting. Trigger lanyard must be enclosed but readily accessible for rafts stowed below deck.
18. Life rafts (OSR 4.20, OSR Appendix A3.0): OSR Appendix A, Sect. 3.0 is amended to allow identification attached to the raft (or painter) and container, for example, by a label written on waterproof tape, with no size requirements, provided that the portable sail numbers are packed with a grab bag containing the rest of the abandon-ship gear (such as flares, water, EPIRB, etc).
19. Storm Sails (OSR 4.26.4 e&f) OSR 4.26.4 e&f are amended such that a yacht may carry either the storm jib or the heavy weather jib referenced.
20. Life Jacket (OSR 5.01.2): Yachts using inflatable PFDs to meet all or part of their lifejacket requirement under OSR section 5.01.2 are required to carry spare CO2 cartridges for half of the required inflatable PFDs on board.
Optional Permitted Equipment and Other Provisions
21. Each entrant is required to submit an energy management plan to the inspector. (A model can be found on the PCYC web site. )
22. Self-Steering Devices: No restriction is placed on the use of self-steering devices, including those using electrical power.
23. Cruising Spinnakers: The Pacific Cup will follow the Northern California PHRF Committee's restrictions regarding the use of asymmetric or "cruising" spinnakers. The use of asymmetric spinnakers, and of any associated pole is permitted, only to the extent that this use is allowed and documented on a yacht's PHRF or ORR certificate.
The 2008 Sailing Instructions are attached as a .pdf below.
See NOR section 1. The Sailing Instructions and Notice of Race continue to apply to a yacht until she has moored and completed her post-race inspections.
Between sunset and sunrise the following shall be substituted for RRS 17 (On The Same Tack; Proper Course).
When two yachts on the same tack are within three overall lengths of the longer yacht from each other, the yacht being overtaken shall maintain her proper course. The overtaking yacht shall keep clear, and neither yacht shall bear away toward, nor luff the other.
All times used for the race are in 24-hour format and, except for finishing, are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC minus 7 hours). For finishing, times are Hawaiian Standard Time (HST, UTC minus 10 hours). All distances are in nautical miles.
Yachts racing must stay clear of commercial or other vessels limited in their ability to maneuver.
A meeting for all skippers and navigators will be held at 3:30 PDT on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere, CA. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory and each skipper and navigator is responsible for receiving and understanding the material.
Notices to Competitors, including amendments to these Sailing Instructions, will be available at the skippers’ meeting. Additional notices made after that meeting will be broadcast on VHF channel 71 approximately 30 minutes before each start.
If supplied, all vessels are required to carry a Race Tracker. It shall be the responsibility of the Skipper to ensure that the transponder remains as installed or is installed according to supplied directions, and must make every effort to ensure it is functional for the entire race.
Except during an emergency, boats are restricted from receiving any data with respect to the performance or location of competitors other than that acquired by scheduled roll calls and transmissions from race committee. Access to the Race Tracking website by any
means, and the information contained therein is not available to competitors for the duration of the race. Use of the website or information contained on the website is considered outside information and use of said information is a violation of RRS 41.
The Starting Line will be a line extending from an orange panel on the race deck of the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco to spherical buoy “A”.
A second spherical buoy “B” may be in place as a limiting mark, and may or may not be on the starting line; no yacht may pass between this buoy and the shore.
At the discretion of the Race Committee, a temporary buoy may be placed outside Buoy A and deemed to replace Buoy A as part of the start line. In that event, the Race Committee shall announce the extended start line by radio to the racers in the affected division.
Timing for Elapsed Time and Record Time will be from the starting time. To qualify for Record Time, a yacht must make a proper start within one hour of her starting time.
On the day of her scheduled start, each yacht shall monitor VHF channel 71 from one hour before her start until one hour after. Late Amendments to the Sailing Instructions may be announced by the Committee, and attempts will be made to notify premature starters on VHF 71. Each starting yacht is invited to check in via VHF channel 71 with the Committee prior to her warning signal. A yacht that will be starting late shall comply with SI 2.9. The starting-line Committee intends to monitor VHF channel 71 from one hour before the first start until one hour after the last start or all starters pass under the Golden Gate Bridge.
All yachts shall display the Race Participation Flag (available at the skippers meeting) from the backstay while in the vicinity of the Starting Area and continue to display it until approximately 25 miles from the start (amends RRS 55 – US Sailing Prescription).
Yachts will start by class from Monday, July 14, 2008 through Saturday, July 19, 2008 according to their PCR ratings. Division assignments, start times, and any possible modification to the starting line will be announced no later than the skippers meeting.
The start sequence of RRS26 will be used, modified to further include a Pre-warning signal 5 minutes before each Warning signal. The Pre-warning signal consists of a yellow shape accompanied by one sound signal. The yellow shape will be removed 1 minute before the associated Warning. All signals will be displayed from the St. Francis Yacht Club race deck. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded.
The lines between the closest associated shore to the following areas shall be considered as obstructions: Anita Rock and any buoy marking same; the vertical "H" piling off the Water Quality Control Plant just west of the St. Francis Yacht Club.
The South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge must be left to the south, and the Mile Rock Light and any rocks visible at MLLW adjacent to either the Marin County or San Francisco shores must be left to shoreward.
If any part of a yacht or her equipment enters or crosses any of these obstructions, she shall be considered to have violated RRS 31 (Touching a Mark). The 360 degree turns penalty for correction in RRS 31.2 is replaced by SI 6.6. Correction of the course sailed as offered in RRS 28.1 is not allowed.
Postponement is signaled by the display of the Answering Pennant with two sounds.
The postponement’s end is signaled by removal of the Answering Pennant with one sound signal. One minute later, the starting sequence will resume with the hoisting of the new Pre-Warning signal and the start times will be shifted accordingly.
Premature starters will be signaled by the display of the Code Flag "X" with one sound signal. The Race Committee will also attempt to hail premature starters via VHF channel 71.
The Code Flag "X" will remain displayed until all premature starters have returned or until four minutes after the starting signal, whichever occurs first. Irrespective of any attempt by the Race Committee to notify premature starters, it remains the sole responsibility of each yacht to start correctly.
General recall is signaled by the display of the First Substitute with two sound signals. The First Substitute will remain displayed until one minute prior to the display of a new Pre-Warning Signal.
The class recalled shall have a new start time which is 15 minutes after the last class scheduled to start that day, with its start sequence commencing 5 minutes after the last scheduled class’ start. If multiple classes have been recalled, they shall start in multiple sequences at 15 minute intervals in the relative order of their original starting sequence.
A yacht unable to cross the starting line while the committee is on station must take her own time as she crosses the starting line and report it during the next official roll-call. If possible, the yacht shall check in with the starting-line committee via VHF or otherwise and inform it of her circumstances.
If a yacht is late for the start, and has either not cleared her mooring, or is not within one quarter mile of the starting line at the time of her Preparatory signal, she will not be considered to be racing for the purposes of RRS 42 (Propulsion) and 41 (Outside Help) until she has both cleared her mooring and is within one quarter mile of the starting line.
The course will be from the Starting Line to the Finish Line. The distance for the purpose of computing time allowances is 2070 nm.
Competitors may receive publicly available weather data during the race. Private weather data and routing is not allowed during the race and will be considered a violation of RRS 41 (Outside assistance). Prior to a yacht’s preparatory signal, there is no limitation on private weather forecasts.
“Publicly available” data includes:
l broadcasts or weather fax transmissions from NOAA, USCG, WWV, NMC, KVM70, or from the race communications vessel
l imagery from satellites, such as NOAA, APT satellites
l data retrieved from the Internet (e.g. grib files or similar from the web, from ftp sites, from email responders), provided that those data are intended for public use without charge, are routinely available throughout the year, and are publicly indexed (e.g. can be found via www.google.com).
Daily roll call will be conducted by the Communications Vessel (CV) at 0900 PDT. When the CV reaches Hawaii, KYC will take over all duties of the CV and roll call will start at 1100 PDT (0800 HST). The CV shall announce the transfer to KYC in advance if possible.
Each yacht racing shall participate in daily roll call between her start and her check-in at 100-mile before the finish. At roll call, each yacht shall provide her position as of 0900 PDT rounded to the nearest minute. Position reports shall be received by the CV via voice on SSB or VHF and should be in the format and order set out in the Communications Plan.
A yacht unable to make its participation report directly may relay her position by any practicable means to another station which may relay the report to the CV by voice on SSB or VHF. During the roll call, all yachts shall monitor VHF 16 for possible relays of position or emergency traffic. Willful disregard of a position relay request is grounds for disqualification.
The CV will attempt to contact yachts that were unable to make their scheduled check-ins, using SSB voice on the channels set forth in the Communications Plan. At 10:30 PDT (1230 if KYC), the roll call period shall close.
For each day that the CV does not receive a given yacht’s daily position report (directly or by relay) by voice on SSB or VHF before the close of the roll call period, one hour shall be added to the yacht’s finish time. If the CV receives a false position report the same adjustment will apply as a minimum penalty. These are mandatory and may be assessed without a hearing. This modifies RRS 63.1.
The Communications Officer (CV operator or KYC operator) shall determine whether a check-in has been received. "Received" means a voice transmission of sufficient broadcast clarity to understand the position. The Communications Officer may additionally raise an inquiry as to the accuracy of the report, and if he believes it to be false may direct the imposition of the penalty. A yacht challenging the findings of the Communications Officer shall have the burden of proof. If the reported position is different from the actual position, then the determination of the Communications Officer shall stand and the yacht shall be penalized as if failing to report.
A willful false position report is grounds for disqualification.
The Communications Plan will specify the channels, times, and proper format for daily roll call, as well as other information. It does not form part of these Sailing Instructions. Nothing in the Communications Plan shall supersede the Sailing Instructions.
Yachts shall honor any request by the CV or Communications Plan to keep a channel clear.
· Yachts withdrawing from the race after starting shall notify the Communications Vessel, or a member of the race committee at Kaneohe Yacht Club.
· Yachts with protests may log them during roll call as provided in these instructions.
· If the engine is used for propulsion, the details shall be entered in the log and reported to the Committee via radio at the next roll call or promptly after finishing, whichever occurs first.
· The Communications Vessel will be conducting an informal conversational period commencing at 1700 PDT each day on a stated channel and ending as declared by the CV or, if not declared, at 1730 PDT. This is known as "Children's Hour." Communications made on that channel during Children's Hour are considered to be fleet-wide communications available to all racers and do not constitute "outside help." To the extent inconsistent, RRS 41 is so amended. Racers are cautioned that not all statements made during this period may be accurate.
The Finish Line is an extension of a line from the Aeronautical Beacon on top of Puu Hawaiiloa through the light atop Pyramid Rock (shown on Chart 19359). A temporary buoy, located 1.2 nm from Pyramid Rock, limits the south end of the finish line and must be left to port. The finish line extends 0.5 nm past the buoy, and yachts crossing the finish line beyond this point may not be scored as having finished. The temporary buoy will be yellow, and may be equipped with a strobe light at night. The buoy may or may not lie exactly on the finish line. If the buoy is missing, a committee boat may be on station to mark the port end of the line; failing this, yachts should cross the finish line at, or within 0.5 nm north of, the designated position of the buoy. Note that although escort and committee boats may be in the vicinity of the finish, official finish time is taken by race committee representatives sighting the line from shore. (See paragraph 4.5) The estimated midpoint of the line is at 21° 29.1N, 157° 46.4W. This position is for information only and has no official status.
The "Danger Zone" shown on chart 19357, extending north from Mokapu Point and including Mokumanu Island, is restricted and no vessel may enter or transit this area. Any vessel doing so is subject to the penalty defined by SI 6.6 in addition to any civil penalties and potential adverse effects of artillery. In addition, correction of the course as offered in RRS 28.1 is not allowed. For reference, the NW corner of the Danger Zone is taken as 21° 29.0N, 157° 44.0W.
When 25 miles from the finish each yacht shall display her Race Participation flag until she is finished and moored (amends RRS 55 – US Sailing Prescription).
As she approaches the finish, each yacht shall contact "KYC Base" (SSB) or "Pacific Cup Finish" (VHF) with her position and ETA (Hawaiian Standard Time) as follows:
100 miles from the finish......................... SSB Channel 4A 4146 kHz
25 miles from the finish........................... SSB
Channel 4A 4146 kHz
5 miles from the finish................................................................. VHF
71
At the finish.................................................................................... VHF
71
After the finish................................................. VHF
68 for escort vessel
Following each contact, each yacht shall continue to monitor the appropriate SSB or VHF channel for further communications if necessary.
When 25 miles from the finish each yacht shall advise the finish committee whether she wishes to enter Kaneohe Bay via the Sampan channel or main channel.
Each yacht shall attempt to make contact with the finish-line committee as she approaches the finish. A yacht finishing at night shall illuminate her sail numbers as necessary to assist the Committee in recording her finish.
A finishing yacht shall sound a horn, record her own estimate of her finish time, and subsequent to her arrival ashore, confirm her official finish time with the Race Committee.
Any communications from an official representative of the finish line race committee, including any navigational advisories, will not be considered outside assistance for the purposes of RRS 41.
The time limit for being scored for the race is 1500 HST, Friday Aug 1, 2008. Yachts which finish after that time should record their own times as they cross the finish line and report this to the Race Committee. Such yachts will be listed in the standings as “FNS” (Finished Not Scored) and are not eligible for division or overall trophies.
A "follow-me" boat representing the Pacific Cup Yacht Club will be available to escort any yacht desiring assistance through either channel to the Yacht Club mooring and berthing area. After finishing, each yacht shall contact the escort boat on VHF channel 68, even if assistance is not desired. Whether or not assistance is offered or accepted, the safe pilotage of each vessel remains solely her skipper's responsibility.
Yachts equipped with outboard motors per NOR 1.7 shall deploy them before entering the KYC mooring area, or if the winds in the entrance channel become too light to sail effectively, or at the request of the escort vessel.
The State of Hawaii requires all yachts entering the State to comply with Hawaii agricultural requirements. Information will be available at the Skipper's Meeting.
A yacht may be inspected at any time and is responsible for her own compliance with the equipment requirements of this race. If a yacht has any deficiencies during the original, pre-race inspection, such deficiencies shall have been corrected and the corrections properly documented through either a second inspection or, in the case of minor deficiencies, written notice to the Inspections Committee.
Inspection at the finish is almost a certainty for the first several yachts in each division. An Inspector may board the yacht while on the way to the Kaneohe Yacht Club mooring after her finish to commence the inspection. Yachts should keep their safety gear in place and available for such inspection until any inspection is completed and the yacht is moored at KYC.
A yacht not in compliance with any part of the equipment requirements may be protested by a competitor, the race committee, or an inspector.
If the protest committee finds that a yacht has violated the equipment requirements, it shall impose a penalty. PCYC may refuse the entry of such a yacht in future races. In imposing a penalty, the protest committee may, in lieu of disqualification impose a lesser penalty. The penalty may include time, loss of place, DSQ, or other penalties as provided by the RRS. The protest committee shall be guided by the following standards.
1. A severe omission (missing liferaft, storm sails, anchors, jacklines, running lights) shall be cause for DSQ.
2. A less severe violation whereby the yacht did not obtain any racing advantage should be penalized at one hour per violation. Where the omission is minor, does not involve any material savings in weight, bulk, or cost, not willful, and was not likely to compromise the safety of the yacht, the protest committee may apply a minimum penalty of 15 minutes per violation.
3. An uncorrected inspection deficiency shall be penalized at least six hours per deficiency with the loss of at least one place. Where the yacht has falsely certified that the deficiency has been corrected, the penalty minimum shall be loss of at least three places, and the yacht shall be ineligible to receive any trophy or prize.
Scoring will be within each class and also overall, based on elapsed time, minus time-on-distance time allowances computed from PCR ratings as published. For the purposes of awarding trophies (NOR 11) the terms “elapsed time” and “corrected time” are to include any added penalties. The decision of the Race Committee shall be final in all scoring.
In case of a tie in Elapsed or Corrected Times, the tie shall stand. Equal awards will be granted.
Unless otherwise noted, only monohulls are eligible for the trophies listed below.
Protests and the assessment of penalties for infringement of any of the rules will be governed by RRS Part 5 with the additional provisions of this section.
A yacht that wishes to protest another yacht for infringement of any rule shall follow the procedures of RRS 61, with the following additional provisions:
The race committee must be notified of the intent to protest, including the name of the protested yacht, during the first Daily Roll Call following the incident, and again during the protesting yacht’s check in prior to the finish.
A protest flag need not be displayed continuously until the finish, provided that it is initially displayed for at least one hour, and that it is displayed again from at least 5 miles from the finish until finished (amends RRS 61.1).
The time limit for filing of the written protest shall be three hours after the protesting yacht's finish.
A protested yacht may acknowledge infringement of a rule of RRS Part 2 and accept an alternative penalty of one hour. If she chooses to do so, she must notify the race committee at the next Daily Roll Call and again immediately after she finishes the race. This amends only the voluntary penalty portion of RRS 44.1, replacing the Two-Turns Penalty.
The Race Committee will assess time penalties added to elapsed time in lieu of disqualification for the following violations. Penalties will be assessed without a hearing modifying RRS 63.1 and A5.
· Touching a Starting Mark without exoneration per RRS 31: Two hours
· Not returning after a premature start: Two hours
· Not returning after general recall: Two hours plus the delayed starting time
· Entering a restricted area: Two hours if the yacht survives. (See SI 2.5, 4.3)
· Failure to report during Roll Call: One hour per day of failure
Protest hearings will be held at Kaneohe Yacht Club at 1500 HST on Thursday July 31st, 2008, or at some other time and date agreed to by the parties concerned and posted on the bulletin board at Kaneohe Yacht Club.
· The penalty for intentionally giving a false position report shall be not less than one hour for each incident.
· The penalty for the willful disregard of any timely position-report relay-request by a yacht will be her mandatory disqualification.
· Infringement of a rule of RRS Part 2: Two hours,
o Except for one hour as an alternative penalty for acknowledgment of an infringement pursuant to SI 6.5
o Except where said violation results in injury or serious damage or gives an advantage to the guilty party, then the Protest Committee may instead assess a time or percentage penalty in lieu of disqualification per RRS 64.1
· Penalties for Safety Equipment violations: see SI 4.9
As stated in the Notice of Race , some boats will use the PHRF certificate, while others will use their ORR certificate, which is the successor to Americap. Now, we're not trying to perpetrate any Criminal Mischief, and we hope nobody will fly off in a Rage. The difference is to provide a reasonably accurate rating. This should be done in a Flash. If you have questions, we'll try to answer them as well as we can.
Here is the list of certificate assignments as of today
| Name |
|
Comments | |
| Acacia | PHRF | ||
| Ada Helen | PHRF | ||
| Alternate Reality | PHRF | ||
| Azure | PHRF | ||
| Bar-ba-loot | PHRF | ||
| Bequia | PHRF | ||
| Bullet | PHRF | ||
| Buzz Off | PHRF |
||
| California Girl | PHRF | ||
| Checkered Past | PHRF | ||
| Cirrus | PHRF | ||
| Compromise | PHRF | ||
| Criminal Mischief | ORR | ||
| Dart | PHRF | ||
| E. T. | PHRF | ||
| Elise | PHRF | ||
| Flash | ORR | ||
| Freewind | PHRF |