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Engine shutdown prior to start of race?

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Fleet
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USA
151 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/12/2012 : 16:11:23

Reviewing the RRS, I can't find a clear definition or rule as to when a boat's engine must be off at the start of a race. We use a 5 minute start sequence and I had always thought it was when the class flag goes up at 5 minutes. Our Commodore states that it should be at 4 minutes when the Prep flag goes up. Is it variable and should be stated in the Sailing Instructions or have I missed the governing rule?

Fleet
Kamikaze
1983 Hull #397
Lake Guntersville, AL

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 08:12:15

I've heard 5 or 10 minutes before the sequence. We like to use the time before the sequence to practice tacks etc so it's never been an issue for us.

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Prospector
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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 08:19:36

Its only come up as an issue twice for me.

1. Aboard a Tripp 33 - A crew member "treed" the main halyard, and we couldn't get sails up. Sent crew aloft for the halyard, and maintained power towards the line. Got the Halyard down, and sail up, killed engine and continued on our course toward teh line.Engine went off about 2 minutes before start. No Protest. Club Race.

2. Aboard Iris - Light wind, hard to maintain steerage, found ourselves in the path of another fleet's start. Fired up the OB & motored away from the line to get clear of their start. Killed engine 6 minutes before start. Got challenged by another boat for using engine in pre-start, when they approached the RC after the race, the challenge was thrown out without a protest hearing.

Our race instructions don't provide for a time limit to turn off engines. RRS does mention engines in the propulsion rules, IIRC.

Edited by - Prospector on 03/13/2012 08:31:28

SJ
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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 09:59:19

Usually 10 mins prior to your start

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DaveR
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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 14:52:47

I'm thinking at the first prestart flag, 10 minutes for us. How would it be if you could power around and put yourself in perfect position until 4 or 2 minutes before the start? On the other hand, as long as there IS a rule and everyone is aware.

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Fleet
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151 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 16:11:01

It looks like under the Definitions section of the RRS, A boat is racing at the preparatory signal. Rule 42.1 states a boat shall compete by using only wind and water. I'm interpreting that competing starts at the prep signal, thus no engines at the prep signal (4 minute mark).

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dmpilc
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Response Posted - 04/09/2012 : 10:17:11

I would say no engine after the 5 minute warning signal for your specific start, i.e, 1 minute before the preparatory signal. We consider the 5 minute warning, when our fleet flag goes up, to put us "in sequence" to start a race.

Edited by - dmpilc on 04/09/2012 10:18:06

Derek Crawford
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Response Posted - 04/09/2012 : 13:23:05

Fleet is correct. You don't actually start racing until the prep signal 4 mins before your start in a 5 minute sequence, or, if anyone is still using the old 10 min sequence than you start racing at 5 minutes. At that point your motor needs to be off.
BTW - if you "foul" another boat before the prep signal there is no foul as you are not racing.

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Champipple
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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2012 : 12:24:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 Fleet is correct. You don't actually start racing until the prep signal 4 mins before your start in a 5 minute sequence, or, if anyone is still using the old 10 min sequence than you start racing at 5 minutes. At that point your motor needs to be off.
BTW - if you "foul" another boat before the prep signal there is no foul as you are not racing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

+1 for Prep Flag.

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