Don Ellis Memorial Regatta

Saint Lucie Sailing Club

Stuart, Florida

           Don Ellis Memorial Regatta

March 18, 2023   

Warning Signal 11:55am

Starting signal 12:00 pm

 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

1 RULES

The races will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) including US Sailing Prescriptions, except as changed by these sailing instructions.

2 ENTRIES

Entry is limited to members of the Saint Lucie Sailing Club (SLSC) or other recognized club who have obtained an appropriate handicap from the SLSC Handicapper. Boats with skippers who do not belong to a club may be entered if approved by the SLSC Race Committee. 

There will be one starting sequence one course and one to two classes.   At check-in before the Warning Signal, entrants shall declare which SLSC Class they choose to race with: Class A (spinnaker) or              J&M  (non-spinnaker) . 

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3 NOTICES TO COMPETITORS

Notices to competitors will be e-mailed.  Changes to the Sailing Instructions will be made by the Committee Boat on VHF Ch 71 (such as shortening the course in the event of very light winds or postponements)

4 SCHEDULE and CLASS FLAGS

March 18, 2023

 Warning signal 11:55, Starting signal 12:00

                     Class Flag: Blue.

5 RACING AREA

The North Fork of the Saint Lucie River near Stuart, Florida.

6 COURSES and MARKS

The Don Ellis Memorial Regatta course is:

Start, 5s, 1p, OCBp*, 5p, Bs, 6Ap, 7s, 6As, Bp, 5s, Finish        (6.5 nm) Marks 5, 6, 6A, 7, 9, and 10 are government day beacons shown on Chart 11428.  Mark B, a white mooring ball near Bessey Creek at 27‑12.50 N, 080‑16.92 W, and OCB is a Orange Buoy at 27-12.52N, 080-16.026 W are SLSC marks.  If an RC boat is not present, the course may be modified by any entrant if the wind direction is inconvenient as determined by a consensus of the entrants.                                                 * OCB = Orange Club Buoy east of day marker #5

7 STARTING AND FINISHING LINES; STARTING SYSTEM

The RC boat will be anchored in the area west of Mark 5 and identified by a blue RC flag. The RC will monitor VHF Channel 71 for check-in, handicap declarations, updates, and safety.  The starting and finishing line shall be between the RC flag on the committee boat and the Yellow line mark. A five-minute starting sequence will be used per RRS rule 26. Times shall be taken from the visual signals; the absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded. 

S - 5 min                      Warning signal             Class Flag up               One sound signal         

S - 4 min                      Preparatory signal        P Flag  up                    One sound signal         

S - 1 min                      One-minute signal         P Flag down                 One long sound signal 

S = 0 min                      Starting signal              Class Flag down           One sound signal   

Recalls will be handled per RRS rule 29.  The RC will sound a short horn blast and attempt to notify OCS boats via VHF Channel 71. 

8- CHANGES TO RULES

   Use of propulsion engines:

All propulsion engines are requested to be shut down at five minutes or (Warning signal) prior to starting time. A boat shall compete by using only wind and water to maintain her speed.

Racing Rule 42.3(h&i) will be changed as follow: The exceptions are that the propulsion engine may be use to help a person or another vessel, to get clear after grounding or colliding with a vessel or object. This is provided the boat does not gain a significant advantage in the race.

Racing Rule 52 will be changed as follows: A boat’s standing rigging, running rigging, spars and movable hull appendages shall be adjusted and operated by power provided by electric, hydraulic or manual by the crew. 

9 TIME LIMITS

     The time limit shall be 45 minutes after the first boat to finish.

10 PROTESTS

A list of protests received will be will be e-mailed.  Hearings will be held as soon as possible at a mutually acceptable location and time.

11 ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES

If a boat believes she may have broken one or more rules of RRS Part 2 in an incident while racing, she may take a one-turn penalty per RRS rules 44.1 and 44.2 instead of withdrawing.

12 SCORING

Results will be calculated based on the declared handicap and the elapsed time using the US Sailing PHRF time-on-distance scoring method. If an RC boat is not present, the entrants shall argue among themselves until a consensus is reached on the results.

13 HISTORY 

The Don Ellis Race started in 1987 when his wife donated the perpetual trophy in memory of Don, a past commodore and dedicated race. Jean’s only stipulation was that the race be sailed on the North Fork in March and results calculated by using the Club handicap. 

14 QUESTIONS and COMMENTS

Questions and comments concerning these Sailing Instructions or the Saint Lucie Sailing Club racing program should be addressed to the Race Committee Chairman

Mike Brescher (305) 632-9663 mikebrescher@yahoo.com 

15 AFTER RACE PARTY

Trophies will be presented during the After Race Party following the Race at the "Sailor’s Return" Restaurant Bar Area.

t race instructions here