Notice of Race

The 2nd annual Decanter Challenge Sailboat Race

Organizing Authority - The Rat Island Yacht Club

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

 

1          RULES

 

1.1           The Race will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and the prescriptions of the US Sailing Association.

 

2          ADVERTISING

 

2.1           The regatta is classified as a Category "C" event in accordance with ISAF Regulation 20.

 

3          ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

 

3.1       Boats whose configuration does not conform to the configuration prescribed by the class rules for that boat shall indicate so on their race registration in writing to the Race Committee prior to the start of the race.

 

3.2           Except for boats in PHRF classes, boats will be grouped into RIYC specific classes hereinafter referred to as a "Class".

 

3.3           All yachts are eligible for entry that can fit in one of the categories listed in 3.4 below.

 

3.4           Entrants will be divided into the following categories:

 

3.4.1     Monohulls

(1)      Class (one design)

(2)      Open (RIYC scoring)

(a)    Spinnaker

(b)    Non-Spinnaker

 

3.4.2     Cruising Monohulls

(1)      PHRF

(a)    Spinnaker

(b)    Non-Spinnaker

(2)      RIYC "Classes" (boats without PHRF ratings)

(a)    Spinnaker

(b)    Non-Spinnaker

 

3.5           A minimum of 4 registered yachts is necessary to constitute a class for race and trophy purposes.

 

3.6           PHRF class yachts producing a rating certificate issued by First Coast Sailing Association will be rated using their certificate. Current certificates from other areas will be accepted subject to review and possible adjustment as necessary to ensure conformity. All other cruising boats will be rated using the PHRF tables provided by US SAILING if listed. Boats not listed by US SAILING will be rated by RIYC and may participate in Cruising class 2.

 

3.7           Eligible boats may register by completing the registration form and submitting it to the Rat Island Yacht Club.

 

3.7.1     Advance Registration

Boats may register in advance by completing the registration form and sending it with the appropriate fees to:

 

The Rat Island Yacht Club

P.O. Box 1053

San Mateo, FL 32187

 

3.7.1     Advance Registration shall be postmarked no later than November 8, 2008.

 

3.7.2     Boats not registering in advance may register as in section 5.

 

4                FEES

 

4.1           Advance  registration fee ($10 discount - Before 11/8) - $35.00

 

4.2           Registration Fee - After 11/8 - $45.00

 

4.3           US Sailing Discount $ 5.00

Note: To be eligible for the US Sailing discount, members must be a current member of US SAILING. Registrants must provide their US SAILING membership number on the registration form and provide a copy of their US SAILING membership card. Late registrants must present a current US SAILING membership card at the time of late registration.

 

5          SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 

5.1      Late registration at Boat House Marina, Palatka, FL. November 8, 2008 7:00a.m. - 8:00a.m.

 

5.2       Competitors Meeting Nov 15, 2008 7:30a.m. at Boat House Marina, Palatka, FL.

 

5.3      The Decanter Challenge Saturday Nov. 15th Warning signal for the start sequence will be at 8:55 a.m. Race committee will signal boats over early at the start in accordance with the RRS.

 

6          MEASUREMENT

 

6.1       All boats are subject to measurement by the Race Committee at any time.

 

7          SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

 

7.1       Sailing Instructions will be available online at www.ratisland.com and at the Competitors Meeting.

 

8          COURSE

 

8.1      The course will be from Marker #48 in front of the Quality Inn on the St Johns River at Palatka Florida, north to the finish line at Marker #25, an estimated 24 miles.

 

9          SCORING

 

9.1           If four or more boats are entered in a one design class or handicap class they will be scored as a class as well as for an overall position.

 

9.2           All entrants will be assigned a RIYC handicap and will be scored for overall positions in the race using the RIYC handicap.

 

9.3           Handicaps under the RIYC will be computed as follows:

 

9.3.1        PHRF - RIYC Handicaps will be based on a boat's PHRF Handicap as assigned by the First Coast Sailing Association or other PHRF Handicapping authority.

 

9.3.2     Cruisers not holding a PHRF Certificate, but for which a PHRF rating exists for a similar boat, will be assigned a RIYC rating based on the US SAILING assigned PHRF rating.

 

9.3.3     Boats not rated by PHRF but with a Portsmouth Rating will be assigned a RIYC rating based on the US SAILING Portsmouth to PHRF conversion formula. RIYC - (DPN x 6) = 330. For US Portsmouth ratings see Portsmouth Yardstick at www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/pyindex.asp.

 

9.3.4     For boats with no rating base, a RCHS rating will be assigned by the RIYC Handicapper.

 

10        PRIZES

 

10.1      The first place winner will receive a crystal decanter.

 

10.2      The first three finishing boats in each class will receive an engraved commemorative glass with the name of the Decanter Challenge Race and their finishing position in their class and the year of participation.

 

11        DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

 

11.1        Competitors participate in the race entirely at their own risk. See Racing Rules of Sailing. Rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.

 

12        INSURANCE

 

12.1     Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance. This rule is not protestable.

 

13        FURTHER INFORMATION

 

13.1     For further information please contact:

 

The Rat Island Yacht Club, Inc.

P.O. Box 1053

San Mateo, FL 32187

(386) 328-0762  - www.ratisland.com

Email:  info@ratisland.com or Tkight12@bellsouth.net

 

The registration form can be downloaded at www.ratisland.com/Decanter_Download.html