Sailboat Race

Sailboat Race Course

Starting the Race
The race will commence at approximately 1:30 PM. There will be a Start Finish (S/F) vessel anchored on the start finish line. At 10 minutes to start – the S/F vessel will signal with two short horn blasts. At 5 minutes to start, the S/F vessel will signal with 1 short horn blast. The race will start with several very long horn blasts.

Each vessel will be assigned a PHRFNE (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet, New England) rating handicap number. This number represents seconds. The rating number assigned to your vessel is multiplied by 4.85 (distance of race). This is the “time allowance” (in seconds). The time allowance is then subtracted from your elapsed time over the course to give a “corrected finish time”.

Use of Sails
This is a fun race. Sailing vessels may use any sails at their disposal. Also, the more flags the better!
Awards
Category 1 – Below 200 PHRNE Category 2 – Above 200 PHRFNE
Line Honors (1st vessel across the finish line) 1st Place corrected finish time
1st Place corrected finish time 2nd Place corrected finish time
2nd Place corrected finish time    3rd Place corrected finish time
3rd Place corrected finish time

The Start
This years race will be a little shorter and a little easier than in previous years. Boats will gather within Rough Bay and prepare to race.

The race will commence at approximately 13:30 hours. There will be warning sounds leading up to and at the start, as follows.2 short blasts of horn will indicate 10 minutes to start:

•1 short blasts will indicate 5 minutes to the start
•Long continues blasts of the horn will be the start of the race.
•Boats must be behind the Start/Finish line at the sound of the start. Engines must be shut down. Failure on either point will result in a “DNF” (Did Not Finish). The offending vessel may continue to race by crossing back over the start/finish line. This can only be accomplished with the use of sail, by moving forward or backing over the line, to restart.

The Sailing Direction
The race will follow a counter clockwise direction keeping markers to the port side.

The Course Layout
Markers
The start/finish markers are rectangular 12 X 12 X 16 cans, painted red with the Sointula Canada Day Regatta trademark in blue on each side. They are relatively small, but the locations for each are fairly specific. I apologize for their size, but due to currents, they had to be lightweight – besides, it’s the best we could do on our budget.

Start / Finish Markers
West marker – Piggy Point – will be the start/finish vessel Mary Kate
East marker - beside breakwater

East Neill Ledge Marker (between Neill Ledge and Haddington Island).
Starboard Red/Green lateral buoy “N.P.” – approx. 50* 36’ 17” N. - 127* 02’ 26”W

Sailing Directions
Special Notes:
Race Marshall: Andreas Naumann
Start/Finish Vessel: MV Mary Kate - John & Marilyn Everson
•Radio watch. Please maintain a radio watch on channel 7A for the start of the race (this will facilitate the start/finish boat contacting any vessel that crosses the start/finish line prematurely).
•Once the race has commenced maintain radio watch on channel 16.
• Race conversations will take place on channel 7A. Any clarification will be directed to Jim MacDougall, on board Islay Mist. Channel 7A/16 Cell Phone 250-902-8108
•Any collisions will result in a “DNF” for both vessels.  This is a fun race!
•From the Start/Finish line vessels will sail in a southwesterly direction to lateral bouy NP keeping this mark to the port side.
•Vessels will round NP keeping it to port side and make for the Start/Finish line.
•Be aware of commercial and non-commercial traffic at all times. Avoid any potential collisions!
•There may be the chance of a cruise ship transiting from Pulteney Point, east bound. Please “Give way” to these vessels. Smile for the cameras!
•BC Ferry – The race start time of 13:30. The ferry leaves Sointula for Port McNeill at approximately 13:00. Therefore the ferry should not be of concern. It’s next sailing from Port McNeill will be to Alert Bay. This should not be of concern.
•Please consult tide and current publications prior to race start.
•It is strongly advised that all sailors wear a life jacket or PFD at all times. The use of harnesses and jack lines is also recommended.
•Please check your safety gear prior to the race. (i.e.: flares, throw lines, MOB recovery systems, life lines etc.).
•Please return with the same number of sailors, as you started with! For each sailor lost, your vessel will have 10 minutes added to it’s time.

If you have any questions, concerns or constructive advice, please let Jim MacDougall or Andreas Naumann know prior to the race.

Have a great sail!
PLEASE REMEMBER - THIS IS A FUN RACE!
Any collision will result in both vessels involved being DNF

Navigational Notes and Cautions.
Malcolm Island Shoreline – harbor to ferry dock.
Generally there are no hazards along this shore – that said, there are several large rocks (not noted on any chart), along the shore and are generally fully exposed at low tide. Stay off the shore a suitable distance.

Neill Ledge
Generally speaking, vessels can transit on either side of the green barification markers. Be aware there are some shallow spots on the reef. To date, the kelp situation on this reef is minimal, but one may encounter kelp balls.

Debris in the water
Often we experience large volumes of debris after a high tide. It is mostly made up of logs etc.

Safety
All crew must ware life vests at all times. It is also suggested that any crew on deck use safety jack lines. A radio watch must be maintained on channel 16 at all times.

Commercial Traffic
All vessels must be mindful of commercial traffic in the area and avoid collisions – tacking or changing direction early. MCTS Comox is aware of this event and will also be contacted just before the start time. They will monitor traffic.
* On Sundays, usually in the PM, we can expect several cruise ships to be transiting west to east in this area. Please give way to these vessels.

Special Note
Please ensure the racing form with vessel information is filled out and in the possession of Jim MacDougall on S.V. Islay Mist or Andreas Naumann, well prior to the start of the race. (Jim is racing in this event so do not wait to the last minute please!) These forms will be on board the Start Finnish vessel to facilitate identification of each vessel when crossing the start/finish line.

Final Note
This is a FUN event.

If there are any questions or concerns, Jim MacDougall will be aboard S.V. Islay Mist for the duration of the weekend. Have fun.

2017 Sail Race Winners
Line Honours and First Place
SV Tack Tic (skippered by Dave Graham)