There is a very interesting series starting in a couple of weeks, the Elliot Bay Marina Downtown Sailing Series. There are a lot of races this time of year, but this one if sort of different in that there doesn’t seem to be much point to the “race”. Note some of the more interesting rules like you don’t need to round the marks, you can motor if there is no wind and trophies will be selected at random. Very fun !
RELAXED RULES OF SAILING
The primary rule is that fun still rules.
There shall be no contact between vessels.
The only exception is verbal contact which at all times shall be friendly courteous, and constructive. For example: “Hey, nice spinnaker and you’re doing a great job of trimming it.” Or “I like the cut of your jib.” Or “Do you have any Grey Poupon?”
When Vessels Meet:
A vessel has right of way when another vessel is required to keep clear of her. The four basic relaxed rules of sailing are as follows:
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On Opposite Tacks or Gybes
When vessels are on opposite tacks or gybes, a vessel on a port tack or port gybe shall keep clear of a starboard tack or starboard gybe vessel.
- On The Same Tack while overlapped
When vessels are on the same tack or gybe and overlapped, a vessel to windward shall keep clear of a vessel to leeward.
- On The Tack or Gybe, Not Overlapped
When vessels are on the same tack or gybe and not overlapped, the vessel clear astern shall keep clear of the vessel clear ahead.
- When Rounding or Passing a Mark
- When vessels are about to pass or round a mark of the course, the outside vessel shall give the inside vessel room to round the mark. This includes room to tack or gybe if that is an integral part of the rounding maneuver.
- If the outside vessel cannot give room because of vessels outside of her, the inside vessel is not required to round the mark and may simply proceed to the next mark.
TROPHIES
Trophies and Prizes will be awarded to the yachts that complete the course and whose names are selected through random drawing. All yachts that complete the course are eligible.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
If in the event of little or no wind, the race will NOT be cancelled - use your engine to navigate the course.