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Race #1 report and question

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/11/2004 : 11:24:58

I guess if you're going to lose - lose in style. tako kichi came in DFL in the first weekly race of the season last night. Of course this was not a handicapped race and we're not going to do well in first over the line racing against J44's, Mum 30's, and similar hardware. The next slowest boat to us were a pair of C&C 36/r's. Good training at the start though and by my calculation we did alright on corrected time.

So the question: The start was off the wind. Most boats started under chute. The first leg was a deep starboard reach. At the start, boats were coming in parallel to the line and enforcing their rights to crowd out the other boats. Where is the layline? Why weren't they barging? These guys are serious and they know the rules, so I assume they were in the right.

jwa

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 12:59:22

When the first leg of the course is downwind, or nearly so, you can make the fastest start if you can hoist the spinnaker before the start, get up to maximum speed, and time your approach so that you hit the starting line at full speed at the sound of the horn. But, you have to be really good to do that without going over early or late, because there are too many variable factors that you can't control. For example, another boat with right-of-way over you could force you off your intended course, or you might get a strong windpuff that would put you over the line before the horn. So, an alternative approach that is used by many racers is to cruise parallel to the line on a beam reach on starboard tack. Because they are on starboard tack, they have right-of-way over any port tackers as well as any other starboard tackers that are to windward of them. While cruising parallel to the starting line, they can look for an opening in the line, so that they will be able to turn downwind and shoot across the line with clear air. The crew should be positioned so that, as soon as they cross the starting line, they are hoisting the spinnaker (or, if they're not flying a spinnaker, so that the crew is setting the whisker pole for a wing-and-wing). By cruising along the line on a beam reach, they are also generating good speed, so that their speed will carry the boat long enough to hoist the spinnaker after the starting horn.

I looked in my 2001-2004 rule book, and the word "barging" is not used. I believe the authorities consider the term confusing, because the actions that we consider to be "barging" are not always illegal, so the authorities don't seem to be using the term anymore. But the basic principle hasn't changed. As two boats are approaching the starting line, the windward boat is obliged to keep clear of the leeward boat. If the leeward boat luffs up so high that there isn't enough room for the windward boat to pass between the leeward boat and a starting mark, then the windward boat is not entitled to demand room at the starting mark. In short, a boat is usually thought to be "barging" is when it tries to squeeze between a leeward boat and a starting mark, without enough room to do so. In your post, your description didn't sound like your opponents lacked right-of-way over your boat as they approached the starting line, or that a starting mark was implicated in any way.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 06/11/2004 13:03:26

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 14:25:15

If a boat is approaching the starting line to start, and is above the layline to the RC boat, he is in a "barging position". If a boat to leeward (on the same tack) is aimed at the stbd side of the transom of the RC boat or can luff up to close the space, the guy in barging position has nowhere to go and must bail out or duck the leeward boat. If he attempts to force his way in, then he is guilty of "barging" and should be protested. This is really a normal windward/leeward confrontation. However, the leeward boat MUST close out the "barger" before his bow pulpit overlaps the transom of the RC boat or he can claim "obstruction" and the leeward boat must bear off. Also, the leeward boat cannot sail above head-to-wind in an attempt to luff out the "barger". And if the gun has already gone off he cannot luff above close-hauled.
If you want to understand the racing rules, I heartily recommend Dave Dellenbaughs book "Understanding the Racing Rules". He takes every rule and explains it concisely with diagrams.
Derek

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 17:39:31

ok - I'm with you guys so far. I didn't do a good job describing the situation, though. Also - I wasn't involved since I screwed up my start enough to be out of the way at the time.

Clarity: the start is a deep starboard reach. Traversing the line from pin to boat is just about close hauled on starboard. Imagine the line continues beyond the pin on the same course as the line. I understand what happens if all the boats are on the off course side of the line and its extension.

The boat I wonder about is extremely close winded - Mum 30. He comes in from the on course side of the line extension. He's leward of everyone. Comes up on the pin and uses his rights as leward boat - not a call for room at a mark - to drive everyone else up and toward the boat end. Then dives down around the pin, over the line, and makes almost for the boat end so that everyone else who turned to starboard to avoid him at the pin either has to head up with him and then tack away from the line to avoid the boat or duck him.

Looked like a brilliant start. He was way on the upwind side of the reach in clean air without anyone to mess with him and his nearest threats at the start had to tack away and jibe to start. One got really fouled b/c he had already set his chute.

Legit? If so its a trick to remebmer since the Thursday night starts are often like that.

jwa

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 20:14:15

What was the timing on his move?
I always thought you weren't allowed down course between the 5 minute signal and the gun...?

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 20:18:12

What was the timing on his move?
I always thought you weren't allowed down course between the 5 minute signal and the gun...?

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 23:33:20

Not so Bruce. As long as you come back entirely below the line to start it's legal. Some folks even do a dip start - come back on port tack towards the line, go below it and flip onto stbd and start. Of course, if they can't find a hole to flip into they have a bit of a problem!
Derek

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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3323 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2004 : 23:35:00

P.S. Bruce - if the RC boat is flying the "I" flag, you can't be over the line or it's extensions in the last minute before the start.
Derek

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2004 : 18:36:46

timing - the guys was over the line until ~ 15 seconds prestart, but even when being on-course is prohibited all you have to do to clear the foul is round the boat or pin - he did that.

I was just surprised that we was entitled to room - but I guess it was a straight up leward boat moment.

jwa

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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3323 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2004 : 19:58:42

Next time he tries that, come in under him on the same tack and luff him up over the line as the gun sounds!

Derek

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