Racing rules.

Allan

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I would like to find out more about standard racing rules and modifications allowed. I would like to find a downloadable document and I have a couple of specific questions.
At what point prior to the start must a competitor stop their engine?
If a competitor has to recross the startline, does the whole boat have to cross?
If a race is abandonned are there normally any positions allocated?
Allan
 
Racing Rules of sailing
But to answer your questions....
A competitor must stop their engine at the preparitory signal (normally 5 minutes)
The whole boat must recross the line.
If a race is abandonned there are normally no positions scored. If the race is part of a series it may impact on the number of discards then availiable.

What's the context to this, general inquiry or something specific happen!?
 
After racing as crew many times if France I did my first race single handed on Saturday. I had a slight problem prior to the start, a tangle, and suddenly realised I didn't know if I could push the tide using my motor to get back behind the line. I suspected not so sailed completly over the line. My motor was ticking over while I sorted the tangle out, up to the two minute signal, so I consider myself disqualified. Everyone in the race later abandonned as the wind disappeared and the tide turned. I still had my best single handed sail for years and used my cruising chute single handed for the first time!
Allan
 
I'm really not sure if it was in gear or not, so I will consider myself as DNS as well as DNF! As I said before, still a day which was right up there with best days sailing ever!
Allan
 
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.

You can run your engine as long as it isn't used to propel the boat.
 
As flaming says, you can have the engine running but not in gear. In fact you can have the engine running but not in gear for the duration of the race if you like. There is nothing in the rules about having an engine running. The rules refer generally to means of mechanical propulsion (if my memory serves). So as long as the prop. isn't turning, then there is no mechanical propulsion.

Must type quicker.
 
[ QUOTE ]
So as long as the prop. isn't turning, then there is no mechanical propulsion.

[/ QUOTE ]
Ah - the prop can turn - if it is freewheeling .... as long as it isn't driven by anything .... like an engine ....
 
I was interested to see a sign down below on an X-Yacht I crewed on in France. It was an official RORC sticker that stated it was against the rules to move spare sails ect. to help with the trim of the boat.
Allan
 
In the Burnham week rules I have to remove my engine (an outboard) before the race start!!! Anybody in class 6 mind rafting while the crew wrestle the thing off the transom while trying not to drop it in the briny?
 
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