RAcing Cheats

[West Wing]

We were on a weeklong fun regatta just recently and had a tough time keeping up with the fleet on the upwing legs (we had the secong highest PHRF at 246). Just for fun we rigged a trapeze using the unused Jib halyard and a bumper - it flattened the boat out alot and we really took off. There were a few dunkings however which slowed us down.My question is what are the rules of this? - I imagine that it is illegal although I wondered if the swing keel on the 240 allowed for an exception of any sort? What would allow a Cat to do this and not a swing keel like the 240 - is it ballast??Any Nautical Lawyers out there who can provide an argument that can keep us from the DSQ?

 

[Wanderer138]

Hmmm

For a fun regatta it probably is no big deal. For more organized racing, most clubs use US Sailing's Racing Rules for Sailing. Here's what they have to say:RULE 49: CREW POSITION49.1 A boat shall use no device other than hiking straps to project a competitor's body outboard.The H240 has no hiking straps, so your maneuver would have been protested in a "real" race. About the only thing the rules allow you to do is lean outboard through the lifelines. Even then, the rules are pretty strict about how that should be done. I hope this helps.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Brad Amundson]

Leech Lake Regatta

Hi Peter,I just read over the rules for the Leech Lake Regatta held on Leech LakeMinnesota. A 20 year old race with many attending boaters. I did not seeany rules agansist that in fact they will allow adjustments to keel boards. They do however don't allow Auto Pilot which I have on my boat unless your sailing alone. I won't be running in this race because of time restraints but will be out on the water and I might try your idea. I also have a free Jib line and fender. Can you tell me what PHRF stands for and how its calculated? Thanks, Brad

 

[Tony]

Waht did you do with the bumper?

I can understand that you used the jib halyard for a trapeze, but in what way did you use the bumper? Did you hook the halyard on to it and then hold on to the bumper? Great idea!

 

[West Wing]

Instructions

In order to use a bumber we attached a rope to the tie ons at each end so that it was almost like a belt m- the bumper at your bum and the rope around your hips and waist. We then attached the halyard right where you would find a belt buckle - then when you hile out the bumber supports your weight. We found that we needed about 10 inches of slack around the aist to allow the to slip on and off easily and for comfort. bumper

 

[VEGA]

Good for going under bridges

Reid, We met in Souix Narrows during LOWISA. It looked like you used you hiking approach to go under the bridge - nicely done.All is well with us - headed to Bayfield in a couple of weeks.Cheers!Dave MillerH-260 VEGApuffin-charters@juno.com