Race course etiquette for daysailors

[Malcolm Young]

Racing rules and other boats

Allen, Paul and Captain Al correctly identified - avoid the race course if possible but if you are the prvileged according to the COLREGS you have the a stand on duty irrespective of the race. As far as privileged and burdened (or the equivalent stand on or give way), the racing rules mirror the COLREGS for the most part except during starts and rounding marks which have special interpretations for racers based only on the fact that it is expected that all boats will start a race, follow a proper course, round marks and not take unreasonable advantage of the COLREGS except as allowed by the racing rules. Legally non racers don't have to worry about the racing rules - non racers must follow the COLREGS (racing rules are not law) - however as has already been said it is wise to try to keep away from the start line, finish line and marks even if you have the legal right of way.Randy, the reference to racing rules is handy. I like the quiz - I have book marked it.

 

[Malcolm Young]

JB Dyer - sure no problem

A caveat - I am familiar with the COLREGs for normal things that people bump into (pun intended) - I am not a guru.You can get hold of me via e-mail - I am listed in the Catalina owners directory under my name. I am not keen on listing it here as there are automated e-mail address collectors that comb the message text from forums. I get enough junk mail as it is.

 

[Rick Webb]

Folks Dragging Things Through the Water

I am usually more manueverable than the guys dragging things behind them. No matter if it is a skier or a lure if I can aviod them I will. The premise of most of the rules is that the more manueverable boat should manuever out of the way. Thanks for the clarification.