Sail Numbers

[Spanjaard]

Hi everyone,

Please forgive me if this thread has already been addressed somewhere else.

Can anyone point out to me the following in regards of sail numbers?

First about the class numbers: are the same as the hull number (ie hull no. 128 = sail no. 128?

Then the offshore numbers, can you have displayed both, the class and the offshore number or only one?

And last in regards of where to display the relevant numbers other than the main sail; are there any rules requiring display on jibs, storm sails, spinnakers etc?

I am looking more on compliance or best practice to prevent any issues if sailing abroad.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tranona]

Class and sail numbers rules vary from class to class and may have no connection with hull numbers. National numbers are issued by the RYA who will advise sizes and location - or your sailmaker will attach them in the right location.

 

[dunedin]

As far as I am aware, the only rules on sail numbers apply to racing - where a UK registered boat typically has a number (allocated via the RYA), with a GBR prefix if competing in an international event. Must be on mainsail, but depending on class rules and race instructions, may also need to be on spinnaker, jib and/or bow.

For cruising as far as I know there are no specific rules, and no sail number needed at all, though a sail number can be useful for emergency identification.
Class related numbers rarely relate directly to hull number (and certainly not to the complex formal HIN on more recent boats).
Dinghy classes often start with a number much bigger than 1, to look like a more established class - eg start 501 or similar :-;

Being based in Scotland, I chose a number that was memorable and registered it with CYCA to get a number with a C suffix.
So if cruising, put whatever you fancy on your sail - but ideally not 666 or 999

 

[Spanjaard]

Good to know that it is not a legal requirement if you sail abroad. I was a little bit concerned due to possible penalties when sailing to other countries. I need to get new sails, so I will think about if it is really worth to get a random number and stick it to the sails just for the sake of identifying your vessel.

Thank you for the info.

 

[Sandy]

When I bought the boat it came with sail numbers. I asked at the RYA stand at the Southampton Boat Show a few years back if I needed to register them as the new owner and they said I did not. If I ever get a new set of sails I won't bother with them.

Depending where you are planning to go perhaps having GBR on display might not be a good thing.

 

[Daydream believer]

Good to know that it is not a legal requirement if you sail abroad. I was a little bit concerned due to possible penalties when sailing to other countries. I need to get new sails, so I will think about if it is really worth to get a random number and stick it to the sails just for the sake of identifying your vessel.

Some sailmakers include the numbers in with the price. You may also have a logo to indicate the class of boat that you have. Why not just contact the RYA & get an official number. Then advise the sailmaker when you order the sail. He will fix to spinnaker & mainsail at a point above the upper reef. They will be of suitable size & nice & level . They will be fitted to a dry sail, to a flat piece of cloth on a flat bench, so not likely to come off, at some time in the future. Spinnakers usually have the number impregnated into the cloth rather than applied vinyl. If you do go abroad, you will have a number that indicates country of origin. Some like that.
Sometimes helps with identification, if being aided by rescue services, I would imagine

 

[DanTribe]

Hi everyone,

Please forgive me if this thread has already been addressed somewhere else.

Can anyone point out to me the following in regards of sail numbers?

First about the class numbers: are the same as the hull number (ie hull no. 128 = sail no. 128?

Then the offshore numbers, can you have displayed both, the class and the offshore number or only one?

And last in regards of where to display the relevant numbers other than the main sail; are there any rules requiring display on jibs, storm sails, spinnakers etc?

I am looking more on compliance or best practice to prevent any issues if sailing abroad.

Thanks in advance.

If the boat is or has been an offshore racer, the sail number may be registered with RORC
Probably worth checking, I found them very helpful.

 

[Spanjaard]

Wow! RYA, CYCA, RORC.. how many authorities to issue sail numbers?

 

[Spanjaard]

When I bought the boat it came with sail numbers. I asked at the RYA stand at the Southampton Boat Show a few years back if I needed to register them as the new owner and they said I did not. If I ever get a new set of sails I won't bother with them.

Depending where you are planning to go perhaps having GBR on display might not be a good thing.

My biggest worry is if I buy the sails, don't bother as it is not required today... then legislation changes tomorrow and then it is a requirement.

 

[Spanjaard]

Some sailmakers include the numbers in with the price. You may also have a logo to indicate the class of boat that you have. Why not just contact the RYA & get an official number. Then advise the sailmaker when you order the sail. He will fix to spinnaker & mainsail at a point above the upper reef. They will be of suitable size & nice & level . They will be fitted to a dry sail, to a flat piece of cloth on a flat bench, so not likely to come off, at some time in the future. Spinnakers usually have the number impregnated into the cloth rather than applied vinyl. If you do go abroad, you will have a number that indicates country of origin. Some like that.
Sometimes helps with identification, if being aided by rescue services, I would imagine

For the sake of £30 , I think that is probably the best thing to do.

I am seeing the sailmakers tomorrow. I will bargain the inclussion of the numbers within their price.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Slowboat35]

What is the point in "sail numbers"?
They are not required.
Apparently any number of self-appointed "authorities" can "issue" them yet no one can tell who "issued" which number.
A sail number means diddly-squat to any observer and there is no database from which to identify a boat from it .
Any non-boaty person would naturally assume it was some kind of registration number and might waste valuable hours in the event of an emergency trying in vain to use it as an ID or means of contact
You'd do better to put your library card number on the sail. At least that is rferenced to a bational database...
Why the digamma isn't it ever the SSR, the only thing that would make sense? Oh no! far too sensible, that!

Though I accept Class/type numbers make sense amongst others inthe same class.

 

[Tranona]

My biggest worry is if I buy the sails, don't bother as it is not required today... then legislation changes tomorrow and then it is a requirement.

Absolutely no chance of any legislation.. Your sailmaker can put anything on you want. I have just had a new mainsail and requested the makers log on it like the original. downloaded from the internet and CNC cut.

Save your worrying for deciding on the right cloth and cut for your sails. Far more important!.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

What is the point in "sail numbers"?
They are not required.
Apparently any number of self-appointed "authorities" can "issue" them yet no one can tell who "issued" which number.
A sail number means diddly-squat to any observer and there is no database from which to identify a boat from it .
Any non-boaty person would naturally assume it was some kind of registration number and might waste valuable hours in the event of an emergency trying in vain to use it as an ID or means of contact
You'd do better to put your library card number on the sail. At least that is rferenced to a bational database...
Why the digamma isn't it ever the SSR, the only thing that would make sense? Oh no! far too sensible, that!

Though I accept Class/type numbers make sense amongst others inthe same class.

The number itself tells you who issued it, and they all keep registers. For example, mine is 3131C. The "C" immediately tells you it is a CYCA number, and on looking up their database, it tells you what she is and who owns her. I rather like it because she is a Moody 31 - but I didn't choose the number; the first owners did. Other registers have similar identifying characteristics.

Sail numbers are readily visible at a distance and are usually recorded on safety databases such as RYA SafeTrx.

 

[Spanjaard]

Being based in Scotland, I chose a number that was memorable and registered it with CYCA to get a number with a C suffix.
So if cruising, put whatever you fancy on your sail - but ideally not 666 or 999

I got news from the RYA
In-sequence number (the next available number) £30

Out of secuence (your choice):

4 digits: £225
3 £510
2 : £1021
1 : £2000

Big money for fancy number/s, considering is non transferable. Hey -ho, if that is what is worth, it means somebody has already pay it before.

I dont know the CYCA. I would imagiine same type of bussines.

 

[prv]

Wow! RYA, CYCA, RORC.. how many authorities to issue sail numbers?

They’re basically the sail racing equivalent of the number cards that marathon runners and other athletes wear on their chests and backs, and used for much the same purposes. Your London Marathon number isn’t registered any public database either, but the race organisers can look it up. Sail numbers are slightly less ephemeral because it’s harder to sew one to the sail than it is to pin a card to your running top, so you keep the same one between races, but it’s a mistake to think of them like car number plates. The nearest thing to that is the SSR number, which should be on the hull in digits of a regulation size and is issued and recorded by a government department.

Pete

 

[scottie]

When you are involved in a search and rescue situation a number is a lot easier than the white boat with white sails I would imagine

 

[Sandy]

When you are involved in a search and rescue situation a number is a lot easier than the white boat with white sails I would imagine

But we keep being told by many that it is all done 'electronically' these days and the pyrotechnics can't be seen, what use a sail number? Asks cynical Scot who still carries pyrotechnics.

 

[Spanjaard]

Well, if is a search and rescue situation they would already know what are the searching for through the may day call...
I would not expect sails up on that situation either...

I think the offshore numbers are more to do with burocracy than anything else. I willl get then just for the sake of not having an argument if sailing abroad.

 

[scottie]

Well, if is a search and rescue situation they would already know what are the searching for through the may day call...
I would not expect sails up on that situation either...

I think the offshore numbers are more to do with burocracy than anything else. I willl get then just for the sake of not having an argument if sailing abroad.

It does facilitate elimination

 

[prv]

I think the offshore numbers are more to do with burocracy than anything else.

They’re for identifying yachts crossing the start or finish line or involved in a protest, and are of zero interest to any bureaucrat who isn’t on a race committee.

(Not disagreeing that they could also be of some minor help in some emergency situations, but I suspect not very often and it’s not their intended purpose.)

Pete