The Racing Rules of Sailing are revised and published every four years by the International Sailing Federation, the international authority for the sport. The new racing rules, 2005-8, are out and in use by SSSS as of September 2005. The right of way rules have not changed a lot. Still you should get a copy and read them, at least once every four years. The r-o-w rules are only five pages.
They are published by ISAF on their website and are for sale. USSA has publish its own version that includes all USSA Prescriptions. You may prefer this book. On U.S. Sailing’s web site, Racing Rules 2005-2008 are priced at $29.95 plus shipping. They will be sold at South Sound Meetings for $15 on a first-come-first-served basis.
Or you may want to wait for Dave Perry's book which will explain the rules. SSSS will have copies for sale once we can get them.
Remember, we do not run our races exactly as they run Olympic events. You not only need to know the Rules, you need to know how we modified them. You need to read our Sailing Instructions, in our Handbook. Make sure you get a copy at the September Meeting.
Do all the changes have you are interested in meeting with others to learn the new rules? Talk to Rod Tharp about doing so. A meeting or two of the Performance Sailing Seminar could well be devoted to the rules. Assuming there is interest.
Steve Worcester