Cruiser racing and engines

[ProDave]

At what point in a cruiser race does one have to turn the engine off? It may sound like an obvious question, you don't use the engine during the race, but you do use the engine to get out of the harbour and hoist your sails etc. At what point must the engine be off? At the start of the 5 minute countdown? What do the rules actually say?

 

[Minerva]

I would imagine that at the start of the 5 min countdown engines should be off.

However if I were RO* and there was a boat late leaving their berth who still wanted to race but were still motoring towards the start area during this 5min countdown, then I’d allow this provided they received no benefit from the propulsion crossing the line. Perhaps get them to do a 360 / 720 before crossing the start line? Depends on how light conditions were.

* I only ever do RO duties on mid week post work fun races where there is a solid probability of “life” getting in the way of sailing on time!

 

[crewman]

I think the rule is not about having the engine running , but having it providing drive, i.e. it must be in neutral. My understanding is that is the 5 minute class gun which is the core point, prior to that motoring is acceptable.

 

[flaming]

At what point in a cruiser race does one have to turn the engine off? It may sound like an obvious question, you don't use the engine during the race, but you do use the engine to get out of the harbour and hoist your sails etc. At what point must the engine be off? At the start of the 5 minute countdown? What do the rules actually say?

It's the preparatory signal. In the standard starting sequence this is the 4 minute signal. It is also not "engine off" but "engine not propelling the boat".

If you want the rule geek reason, here it is.

Firstly, you need to look in the definitions. Specifically at the definition of "racing"

Racing A boat is racing from her preparatory signal until she finishes and clears the finishing line and marks or retires, or until the race committee signals a general recall, postponement or abandonment.

Then look at rule 42, which deals with propulsion.

42.1 Basic Rule Except when permitted in rule 42.3 or 45, a boat shall compete by using only the wind and water to increase, maintain or decrease her speed. Her crew may adjust the trim of sails and hull, and perform other acts of seamanship, but shall not otherwise move their bodies to propel the boat.

 

[Neeves]

The engine can be used, in neutral, to charge the batteries etc.

Jonathan

 

[st599]

I would imagine that at the start of the 5 min countdown engines should be off.

I think the rule is not about having the engine running , but having it providing drive, i.e. it must be in neutral. My understanding is that is the 5 minute class gun

The engine should be off by the start of the 5-minute countdown.

There's no rule about having the engine off. It must not be providing drive by the preparatory signal (usually 4 mins before the start). You are not racing until the preparatory signal, you're free to use the engine to get in to a good position between the Class Flag and Preparatory Flag.

There also isn't a full ban on using engine propulsion - there are allowed uses for engine propulsion in the racing rules and this can be extended by the Sailing Instructions.

 

[awol]

I find it frightening that 4 of the posters to this thread are unaware of RRS 26 which has only been in the rulebook since 2001. Have they read any of the other rules?
Most of the races I take part in have a Sailing Instruction that allows engine propulsion after the 4 minute signal providing two 360 degree turns are made on the pre-start side of the line after engine propulsion is ceased.

 

[Birdseye]

It's the preparatory signal. In the standard starting sequence this is the 4 minute signal. It is also not "engine off" but "engine not propelling the boat".

If you want the rule geek reason, here it is.

Firstly, you need to look in the definitions. Specifically at the definition of "racing"



Then look at rule 42, which deals with propulsion.

Interesting. I have always religiously turned it off at 4 mins whether convenient or not. Mind you, if competitors saw the exhuast gushing water at the start they might take some convincing that the prop wasnt turning. Plus of course you want a feathering prop in reverse to minimise drag anyway. So maybe best engine off at 4 mins.

 

[st599]

We normally turn it off at 4 mins, but I think the main thing for cruiser racers to remember is that in a safety situation, the engine can be used.

 

[B27]

I find it frightening that 4 of the posters to this thread are unaware of RRS 26 which has only been in the rulebook since 2001. Have they read any of the other rules?
Most of the races I take part in have a Sailing Instruction that allows engine propulsion after the 4 minute signal providing two 360 degree turns are made on the pre-start side of the line after engine propulsion is ceased.

I think the two-turns thing was used in JOG and such, to enable people to compete if they were going to be late for the start.
It's a good compromise to have in passage racing or club handicap , where pre-start tactics are not really relevant or encouraged.
Also IIRC the requirement to be 'afloat and off moorings' at the preparatory signal was waived.
Handy for people who were racing down the M3 to get to the boat on a Friday afternoon.

Anything like that, you need some measures to avoid people taking the mick.

 

[Laser310]

As Flaming says; until the prep signal.., which is usually 4 minutes before the start in both 5 and 10 minute sequences.

In light wind starts, it is not uncommon for large heavy boats to motor until P.

You can not exonerate yourself for breaking this rule by doing two turns.

Turns can only be used for breaking a rule of part 2 of the rules; When Boats Meet.

The rule against motoring is a rule of part 4; Other Requirements While Racing.

The only option is to retire, or accept a lesser penalty, if the OA specifies one in the sailing Instructions.

Distance races especially often give the jury wide discretion to impose penalties other than DSQ.

 

[st599]

The rule against motoring is a rule of part 4; Other Requirements While Racing.

The only option is to retire, or accept a lesser penalty, if the OA specifies one in the sailing Instructions.

42.3 g allows use of the motor to assist in rescuing a person or vessel without penalty.

 

[Laser310]

42.3 g allows use of the motor to assist in rescuing a person or vessel without penalty.

sure, but the OP asked about motoring before the start...

if you give assistance, not only will you not get a penalty, but you will get some sort of redress to account for the time spent assisting.

 

[Mudisox]

Wise Ros often start passage races using the Foxtrot flag, with appropriate penalty stated in the SIs.

 

[musebut23]

During one of the races, I was told the ennine must be turned off before the preparatory signal (usually 4-5 minutes before the start). It's best to confirm with the organizers to avoid penalties

 

[st599]

During one of the races, I was told the ennine must be turned off before the preparatory signal (usually 4-5 minutes before the start). It's best to confirm with the organizers to avoid penalties

Why? Having the engine on is ok within the rules. You can't use it for propulsion, but charging batteries etc. is fine.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Our sailing instructions allow the use of the engine until prep down, at 1 minute. Mostly because you might well be startung in 3kn of tide, which is a tough call for a Contessa 26.

 

[musebut23]

Why? Having the engine on is ok within the rules. You can't use it for propulsion, but charging batteries etc. is fine.

 

[musebut23]

Thanks for clarifying! During that race, I followed what the organizers required, but it's good to know engines can be on for non-propulsion uses like charging batteries. I’ll double-check next time to ensure Im fully aware of the rules for each specific event—better safe than sorry.

 

[Laser310]

During one of the races, I was told the ennine must be turned off before the preparatory signal (usually 4-5 minutes before the start). It's best to confirm with the organizers to avoid penalties

The best practice is to read the rules, and not to rely on informal statements from the organizers.

the rules are contained in the Racing Rules of Sailing, the Notice of Race, and the Sailing Instructions.

The only reason to check with the organizers would be if the SI's or NOR contain rules about motoring that are confusing.

If someone who is a part of the OA gives you incorrect information, you aren't necessarily going to get redress.

Some events require that questions are submitted through an official channel, and all the questions that get answers are posted on a bulletin board. They do not have to answer all questions.