APRIL 21, 2026 STARTING TACTICS AND RULES

 

APRIL 21, 2026

STARTING TACTICS AND RULES

Since there was a strong possibility of rain, I thought it would be good to have a seminar for race starting tactics and rules.   Chris Watts offered to discuss starting tactics and Chris Hofmann offered to discuss some rules centered on starting also.  I thought this would be more interesting for the group than dodging rain drops.

Chris gave an awesome presentation and emphasized the importance of “situational awareness”.  This is much more than being aware of other boats in close proximity.  You must keep track of the start line position and how long it takes to sail the line at full speed.   In anticipation of the start, while sailing, always sail at full speed.  This helps when trying to      time your start. Also, keep an eye on the wind for shifts to determine which end of the line is favored.  If there is a heavily favored end of the line, it may be better to start further down the line for clear air if there are many boats at that end.  Chris emphasized the importance of the skipper to communicate with his crew what you are doing.  It is good to have a race plan, noting where other boats are so you can  sail in clear air.  Chris commented on the common technique of sighting a line to something on shore to determine if you a OCS.  Unless you have a crew on the bow to sight this, it is not possible and seldom used.  There is technology that works very well to determine your position to the start line.

Another critical thing to know is the lay line for both ends of the line.  Also discussed is the ability to ascertain time and distance.  For this, You pass the end of the start line you want to start at and note the time to the start.  How long do you sail away from the mark to tack (or gybe) around to start right on time?  This is another reason to keep the speed up at all times to be able to gauge these times and distances.  This is a skill that develops with practice.

Chris Hofmann continued the presentation by discussing starting rules and barging.  This is interesting because you will never find  the word “barging” in any sailing rule book.  Yet the term is frequently used by sailors when a windward boat does not yield to a leeward boat on the start line.  This usually happens at an end of the start line.  

“Barging” actually involves 6-8 rules and Definitions;

Rule 11: same tack overlapped,

Rule 12 same tack not overlapped

Rule 15: acquiring ROW

Rule 16: changing course

Section C Preamble 18, 19, 20

31 touching a mark

All of these rules can be applied, but most sailors just consider rule 11 which states that when overlapped, windward boat must keep clear of the leeward boat.  If you get “hooked” (leeward boat establishes overlap with you) while sailing down the line, the leeward boat can luff you up no further than head to wind without breaking rule 16

It was a great presentation by both Chris Watts and Chris Hofmann .

I will add that if you are going to do any sailboat racing, you must have a copy of the US sailing rule book to refer to.  Chat GPT is not a reliable source of information.  You must join US sailing online to buy the book and download a copy of the book on your phone.

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NEXT TUESDAY IS THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH WHICH IS:

BARBECUE NIGHT AT THE CLUB!   BRING YOUR BEST BARBECUE FOOD TO GRILL AND ENJOY!

 This coming Sunday (April 26) is the first of the series for this seasons’s SCORE races.  It is time to register on line for the fun!

ZOOP SCOOP by Paul Tara

FLEET DEMOGRAPHICS

It takes about 10 quality hours afloat (not calm, not too sporty) for kids to learn how to sail. In the Beginners Class at Stockton Sailcamp, after Monday we’d be  thinking, “There’s no hope”.  By Wednesday afternoon, there would be some. Thursday was the day. By it’s end, they’d be asking questions about starting tactics and mark room.

 

Zoop was one of the first (if not the first) non-Catalina boats Barry invited to participate on Tuesdays.  That was in 2017. There was one fleet, with about 10 boats.  Over the intervening years, participation has steadily increased and the character of the fleet has changed. As more race boats began to compete, Barry dropped “cruising” from the series marque and split the fleet into A and B.  At the same time, the level of competence in the fleet has improved dramatically. Zoop’s slip on D dock offers an excellent venue for seamanship spectating. It’s probably safe to say that, when they were first invited, for half the SC27 fleet, docking meant “controlled crash”. Not any more.

 

Now, as the attendance at Tuesday’s starting and rules presentation shows, metaphorically we’re at Thursday afternoon at Sailcamp. Most boats now get around the course in good order and there is a heightened interest in tactics.  Particularly starting tactics. Because of the increased competitiveness on the line, it’s critical to remember the RULES are the basis for all tactics, and that boats don’’t all handle the same. Not having a thorough knowledge of the rules, is like being a deer in headlights, an analogy made more accurate by our mixed fleet, i.e., you can see the headlights, but you’re never quite sure how fast they’re coming at you. Above all, it’s important to remember that, although the rules can be used as a weapon, their primary purpose is to prevent damage and injury.  

 

OROGRAPHIC CORRECTION

How do you like that segue? From demographic to orographic in one fell scoop! (Sorry). In the last Scoop I incorrectly used the word orthographic to describe the characteristics of our local northerlies.  The correct word is orographic. Orographic winds are those influenced by geographic features or terrain. Most familiarly, the term “orographic lift” is used by meteorologists when describing precipitation caused when moisture laden air is forced upward by rising terrain. But the opposite can also occur. High pressure building aloft to the north and east, say behind a frontal passage, often forces lower level air to get out from under, literally squeezing it out downhill through gaps in the terrain to the lower pressure remaining offshore. Locally, the San Lorenzo Valley, Arana Gulch, Rodeo Gulch, and Soquel Creek act to funnel offshore flow down to the shore at the Boardwalk, Harbor, Corcoran Lagoon (KSCO) and Capitola.  These are the areas to watch for the first offshore puffs.  

 

PROPULSION

Recently, the question was asked, “Where do the rules say when to shut off your engine?” Good question. Because they don’t actually say it in those exact words. What they do say, in Definitions, is that “a yacht is racing from her preparatory signal until she has finished and cleared the line”.  Then, Rule 42, Propulsion, states a boat shall compete by using only the wind and water to increase or decrease her speed.  To compete, she has to race, ergo, no engine after her preparatory signal. EXCEPT, Rule 42.3 i states, “Sailing Instructions may, in stated circumstances, permit propulsion using an engine or any other method provided the boat does not gain a significant advantage in the race.” Our Tuesday Sailing Instructions do specifically state that an engine may be used to avoid a collision. Just watch out for those words “gain” and “advantage”.  The rest of the fleet will be. Oh, another word of advice, if you think we’re going to hit you, start your engine. Zoop’s engine is gas. By law, we must run our blower for 4 minutes to evacuate potentially explosive fumes before starting up. I guess we could skip the blower, but still…. 

 

Thank you Paul

I hope to see you sailing next Tuesday!

Barry Keeler

Sailing Pair A Dice