1. Rules
2. Eligibility
3. Equipment Requirements
4. Class Divisions

5. Courses
6. Starting Area
7. Starting
8. Recalls

9. Time Limits
10. Use of Engine During Races
11. Special D-Class Rules

12. Communications
13. Changes to these instructions
14. Interfering with Commercial Traffic

15. Penalties
16. Protests
17. Accidents
18. Fouling the Committee Boat

19. Race Results
20. Series Scoring
21. Trophies and Awards

22. Safety
23. Race Cancellations


Race Instructions
Buoy Courses
Race Chart

Sailing Instructions

1. Rules
The races will be governed by the 2009-12 Racing Rules of Sailing, the prescriptions of the USSA, and the class rules: PHRF NW rules for PHRF classes, except as any of these are altered by the Sailing Instructions; and by these Sailing Instructions.

2.1 Races are open to members of South Sound Sailing Society and members of PIYA-affiliated boat clubs on registration with the Race Committee and payment of appropriate entry fees.
Any member assigned as Committee Boat by the Class Captain or Race Chairman is required to accept the assignment or to provide a replacement. Failure to do so may render you ineligible for that series.

2.2 Boats must obtain a handicap from the club handicapper prior to the first race entered. Boats racing in PHRF Classes A, H, B, or S must obtain a PHRF rating by joining PHRF-Northwest. To race in "D Class" you need a club handicap.
2.2.1 The club handicapper or a boat on its own behalf may petition the Race Committee, for an alternative rating for a boat in a PHRF class for club use only. No boat racing in a PHRF class shall have an alternative rating without express approval by the Race Committee.
2.2.2 At its option the Race Committee may randomly or selectively inspect boats for validity of handicaps.
2.2.3 The Committee Boat cannot assign handicaps or accept entry fees.

2.3 Sail numbers are required on all participating boats. Skippers may race in one series before complying with this requirement. Boats without sail numbers should stand by the Race Committee Boat after finishing until certain they have been properly identified.

3. Equipment Requirements
3.1 Boats must comply with USCG equipment requirements for vessels of their class. In addition, the Race Committee may require compliance with a PIYA equipment category within the specific race instructions.

3.2 Failure to comply with either requirement will be cause for disqualification by protest by either the Race Committee or a participating boat.

3.3 At its option, the Race Committee may randomly or selectively inspect boats for compliance with Equipment Requirements.

4.1.2 When, in the opinion of the RC Chair, the interest of fair and competitive racing is best served, the RC Chair may assign any boat to any Class. He will not do so without consulting the Class Captain of the Class the boat is moved to. A boat may finish any Series she has started in the Class she sailed in.

4.2 Boats that are current PHRF members may race in SSSS PHRF classes with a No-Flying Sails handicap. Boats shall not change between No-Flying Sails and Flying Sails handicaps during a series, in all SSSS classes, nor change classes during a series, unless asked to do so by the RC.

4.3 Any change affecting handicap must be submitted to the Handicapper and Scorekeeper before racing with the new rating. See Sailing Instruction 2.2 regarding changes to PHRF handicaps.

4.4 The RC asigns the following colored flags to the following Classes and requests you fly one:
H — Yellow
S — Green
A — Orange
B — Blue
D — White
RRS Rule 55, Flags, is amended to allow the flying of Class Flags, as asigned by the RC.

5. Courses
5.1 Courses will be designated either by the Race Instructions or from the Committee Boat; whichever is specified in the Race Instructions.

5.2 Marks of the course, when referred to by number or letter, are as shown on the Mark Chart published herein.
5.2.1 Start between the RC boat and the Starting Mark near them.
5.2.2 Finish between the Race Committee boat and the Finish Mark: the last Mark of the published course or the Mark where the Course is shortened.

5.3 When Courses are designated by the Committee Boat, one or more flags will be displayed to designate one of the preset courses in the section of this book showing buoy race courses.

5.4. Shortening the Course: Any race can be shortened at any mark. The buoy races can be shortened two ways: for all boats or just some Classes. To do so, the Race Committee anchors at the mark at which the course will be shortened, and flies the appropriate flags.
5.4.1. Shortened Course for all Classes: Code Flag S, (Sierra - white rectangular flag with a blue rectangle in the middle), flying from the Race Committee after the start means the course is shortened to end here. Finish between the Race Committee and the Mark that they are anchored near. You do not need to round the mark to finish.
5.4.2. Shortened course for only some Classes: fly Code Flag S AND the Class flag(s) for the Class(es) you wish to shorten. Those in the designated Class(es) finish between the Race Committee boat and the mark nearest to the Race Committee. Other classes sail the course as originally posted.
Class Flags for our Classes are as in Sailing Instruction 4.4

5.5 It shall be each boat’s responsibility to sail the course as designated by the Race Committee.

6. Starting Area
The Starting Area lies within 200 feet of either side of the Starting Line and 200 feet of its ends.

6.1 After the Preparatory Signal for the first start, 4 minutes prior to the first start, boats whose Warning Signal has not been given must stay out of the Starting Area.

6.2 Once the first Preparatory Signal has been given, you are to stay out of the Starting Area until the Warning Signal for your start has been given.

7. Starting
7.1 Races will be started as per RRS rule 26, Starting Races.
as summarized in the following table:

Signal             	Flag      	Sound	        Minutes Before Starting Signal	
Warning to Clear
Starting Area             no flag        horn            6 min. before  First Start only

Warning for First Start	All First Start Class Flags Up	1 Sound Signal, Preferably Gun	5 Minutes Before First Start	
Preparatory      	"P" Flag Up	1 Horn Blast	4 Minutes Before First Start	
One-Minute        	"P" Flag Down	1 Horn Blast	1 Minute Before First Start	
Start First Classes and    All First Start Class Flags Down 
 Warning for Second Start  All Second Start Class Flags Up  1 Sound Signal, Preferably Gun	0 Minutes to First Start/ 5 Minutes Before Second Start	
Preparatory      	"P" Flag Up	1 Horn Blast	4 Minutes Before Second Start	
One-Minute        	"P" Flag Down	1 Horn Blast	1 Minute Before Second Start	
Start Second Classes and   All Second Start Class Flags Down 
Warning for Third Start	   All Third Start Class Flags Up  1 Sound Signal, Preferably Gun	0 Minutes to Second Start/ 5 Minutes to Third Start (buoy races)	
Preparatory       	"P" Flag Up	1 Horn Blast	4 Minutes Before Third Start	
One-Minute       	"P" Flag Down	1 Horn Blast	1 Minute Before Third Start	
Start Third Classes	All Third Start Class Flags Down   1 Sound Signal, Preferably Gun	0 Minutes to Third Start 	

7.2 Starting order and times: see specific race instructions.

7.3 If no boats of a class are present for their scheduled start, the starting times for the other classes will not be changed.

8. Recalls
8.1 Individual recalls will be signaled by an appropriate hail from the Race Committee Boat, which will include sail numbers and boat name if possible. No other visible or sound signal will be made. This amends RRS Rule 29.2, Individual Recalls.

8.2 Our General Recall procedure follows RRS 29.3, General Recall.

8.3 The onus to start properly rests with each yacht's skipper.

9. Time Limits
9.1 Time limits are shown under Race Instructions for each race. However, if the first boat in Class finishes within the Time Limit, the Time Limit may be extended to 30 minutes after her finish time to accommodate other finishers unless the Race Instructions specifically state otherwise.

9.2 The race is officially over after the time limit has expired. Boats that have started but not finished when the time limit expires are scored Did Not Finish. This amends RRS Rule 35, Time Limit.

10. Use of Engine During Races
10.1 Except as provided below and in specific race instructions, a boat shall be disqualified for use of her engine from the showing of her class Preparatory Signal until she is finished racing. These exceptions amend RRS Rule 42, Propulsion.

10.1.1 A boat that has not started may use her engine for propulsion after her Preparatory Signal to position herself to start. She shall not start until five minutes after shutting off her engine. This use is not allowed inside the starting area (See Sailing Instruction 6, Starting Area) and must stop upon reaching the edge of the starting area. The one exception is that a boat inside the starting area can power out of it, but only by the most direct route to the nearest edge and if taking care not to interfere with any boat that is racing. She is then treated like other boats subject to this rule.

10.1.2 An engine may always be used to aid another vessel or its crew, racing or not. A record of the time devoted to such aid and the circumstances requiring it shall be kept and submitted in writing to the Race Committee as soon after finishing as possible. The time spent giving aid may be deducted from a yacht’s elapsed time after the race.

10.1.3 An engine may be used to rescue one’s own crew. Such use shall be reported to the Race Committee, in writing, at the earliest possible opportunity. Time lost in making a rescue will be the yacht’s penalty for use of engine propulsion.

10.1.4 A boat becalmed and in danger of being run down by a vessel under power may use her engine to gain a safe position. A record of where she was when starting the engine, how long it ran, and where she was when she turned it off shall be kept. This, along with a written report, shall be submitted to the Race Committee as soon as possible after finishing the race.

10.1.5 An engine may be used to charge batteries or operate ship’s domestic systems at any time without penalty, if it is disconnected from any means of propulsion. It shall be the skipper's responsibility to ensure that the propeller is not turning.

10.2 A boat shall not use her engine to gain ground in the direction of the race, hold position in adverse current or otherwise gain advantage over its competition.

11. D-Class Rules
D-Class boats must comply with PHRF rules and regulations for “No Flying Sails” ratings, except that membership in PHRF is not required.
This includes, but is not limited to, rules on whisker pole length and the rules listed below.

11.1 Boats must use working sails only, attached by their luffs to permanent stays or spars.

11.2 Not less than 90% of the luff length must be attached to permanent stay or spar with not less than eight snaps or sailtrack slides distributed evenly along the luff; or alternately, attachment may be in a luff rope groove.

11.3 Only one working sail luff may be attached to each permanent stay or spar.

11.4 Only one sail may be used forward of the main mast on sloops, cutters, yawls and ketches, unless the boat is specifically rated for carrying additional sails.

11.5 When changing sails, the up jib must be lowered to the deck before the replacement jib is raised. Before lowering the up jib, the replacement jib may be hanked on the forestay, or inserted in the second luff groove of the headfoil, up to five feet off the deck. The second halyard may be attached before lowering the up jib.

11.6 Jibs may not be attached to temporary or detachable stays.

11.7 NFS ratings exclude such sails as spinnakers, mizzen staysails, streakers, spinnaker staysails and drifters flying from their own temporary stays.

The above excerpted from Pacific Handicap Racing Fleet of the Northwest PHRF-NW Handicapper's Manual, Standard Boat Definition, Rating Adjustments code No Flying Sails rating

12. Communications
In fairness to all competitors, the Race Committee is not required to answer any hail from contestants. No hail will be given for improper finishes.

13. Changes to these instructions
13.1 The Sailing Society Ship-to-Shore newsletter is the official bulletin for changes to the Sailing Instructions.
13.2 When the print Ship-to-Shore is not publishing, the Sailing Instructions can be changed by announcemnt in the on line Ship-to-Shore. Such notice will be made at least two weeks before the first race they take effect.
13.3 The instructions and charts published herein supersede all previous publications.

14. Interfering with Commercial Traffic
Boats will be disqualified without notice or protest for sailing across a towline or impeding commercial traffic by sailing too close. Amends RRS Rule 63.1, Requirement for a Hearing.

15. Penalties
The 720 penalty, RRS Rule 44.2, will apply for all races. That is two tacks AND two jibes, as soon as you can get clear. If, as you read this, it is too late to do your turns, and you know you are in the wrong, remember, a DNF for admitting your mistake is still two points better then a DSQ for losing a Protest.

16. Protests
16.1 Protests shall be made in accordance with RRS Part 5 Section A, except that boats 6 meters and under must fly a protest flag, as required of the longer boats. This amends rule 61.1, Informing the Protestee.

16.2 The Race Committee shall be notified of the intent to protest and the boat being protested immediately upon finishing or, if unable to finish, as soon as possible after reaching port.

16.3 All protests shall be in writing, or by e-mail, and include the information asked for in RRS Rule 61.2, Protest Contents. This amends RRS Rule 61.2.

16.4 Written protests shall be submitted or postmarked to the Protest Chair within seventy-two, 72, hours after the start of the race in which the protested incident occurred.

16.5 Protests will be heard ASAP.

16.6 Protest hearings will be held in a place designated by the Protest Chair. The Protest Chair will give ample notice to all parties if a change of location is necessary.

16.7 Concession, by withdrawing from the race in question or withdrawal of a protest, may be made at any time prior to the hearing. This amends RRS Rule 63.1, Requirement for a Hearing. The Protest Chair must be notified promptly of such intent to allow notification of all parties.

17. Accidents
17.1 In the event of a collision resulting in personal injury or total damage exceeding $200.00, the Race Committee will disqualify both boats if no protest is filed. A US. Coast Guard Accident Report, or current equivalent, shall be submitted to the Race Chair.
17.2 When, in the opinion of the Race Committee, the circumstances of a collision demonstrate a lack of proper concern for the safety of people or property, the boats involved may be disqualified from the series in which the accident occurred.

18. Fouling the Committee Boat
Any boat causing damage to the Race Committee Boat shall be automatically disqualified from the race unless caused to do so by another boat, which must be proven in a normal protest procedure. This amends RRS Rule 63.1, Requirement for a Hearing. The disqualified boat will be held liable for such damage to the Race Committee Boat.

19. Race Results
19.1 Race results will be calculated by subtracting a yacht’s time allowance from its actual elapsed time.
19.1.1 PHRF Rating determines a time allowance, for all except:
19.1.2 D-Class has their own, PHRF based, system.
19.2 The boat with the least corrected time shall be placed first; the remaining boats shall be placed in ascending order based on the corrected times, as rounded by our race scoring software. This amends RRS Appendix A3 Finishing Places.
19.3 Boats tied shall place equally in the highest position in question in a single event. No boat shall be placed above her actual corrected place as a result of a tie between boats above her.
19.4 A boat that withdraws from a race and does not report the withdrawal promptly to the Race Committee will be scored DNS.

20. Series Scoring
The number of races scheduled for a series is as shown in the Race Instructions for that series. One race is needed to constitute a series. Series shall be scored as described below and not as in RRS Appendix A; this amends RRS 88.3, Scoring. Standings for each class in a series shall be based on the total points scored in all races, placing boats in successive order with the lowest score first, except where the Race Instructions indicate throw-outs shall apply (e.g.., best 3 of 4). There will be no throw out if less than the scheduled number of races are completed.
20.1 First place, 3/4 points; second place, two points; third place, three points; etc., until all boats finishing are scored.
20.2 Boats tied for the same place shall score points equal to the sum of the places in question divided by the number of boats tied.
20.3 Boats who rank as starters and fail to finish or withdraw shall be scored DNF, OCS, or Ret: number of finishers plus one.
20.4 Boats disqualified shall be scored DSQ: number of finishers plus three.
20.5 Boats starting one race in a series shall be scored DNS, number of finishers plus two, for each race missed.
20.6 A boat serving as Committee Boat, if participating in at least two additional races in that series, shall be scored the lower of: the average of her finishes for that series, or DNF for the race she was Committee Boat. If she does not race at least two additional races in that series, she will be scored as DNS for the race she was Committee Boat.
20.7 Boats tied on points shall be ranked by applying the following criteria in succession:
20.7.1 Including all throw-out races.
20.7.2 If still tied the decision shall favor the boat finishing ahead of the others in the most races.
20.7.3 Boats still tied shall be declared tied. They shall place equally in the highest position in question in a series. No boat shall be placed above her actual place as a result of a tie between boats above her.

21. Trophies and Awards

21.1 Awards In Class
When Class Awards are mentioned in the race or series instructions, they will be made to the first, second and third boats in each class, except that the Race Committee may reduce the number of awards presented in class, if the RC determines attendance was low.

21.3 The Uncle Juicy Trophy
This award is presented to one racer recognized as being the most improved over the course of a SSSS race year. This perpetual trophy was donated by Bill Maclean in memory of Joe Dubey, who raced Uncle Juicy, a Cal40.
21.3.1 The recipient of this award is selected by the Trophy Committee. That Committee is made up of the Race Committee Chair, the Assistant RC Chair and the Class Captains for all active Classes. They may appoint one more SSSS member to their Committee, if it is deemed desirable to have an odd number of members on the Committee. The Committee is chaired by the RC Chair. Each member of the Committee has one vote.
21.3.2 The Trophy Committee solicits nominations for this award from the general Membership. They then choose a recipient from those nominations.
21.3.3 In determining the recipient of the Uncle Juicy Trophy, the Nominating Committee focuses on overall improvement in the skills of the skipper and crew demonstrated over time, as opposed to one spectacular race or series. Winning a lot of races is not a requirement for this award. The Uncle Juicy Trophy recognizes that losing a permanent claim to last place may be a greater achievement than consistently winning a lot of races. 21.3.4 The Uncle Juicy Trophy goes to a boat for demonstrated improvements while racing with SSSS. While performance down Sound may be taken into account, particularly the Southern Sound Series, it is not the primary criterion for receiving this award.

21.4 Perfect Attendance Award
To win you must start and finish every regularly scheduled Sailing Society race that someone in your class finishes, starting with the first race of the Fall Series and ending with the last race of the Spring Series, including the Toliva Shoal Race, with one exception: the Maclean Memorial.
You only need to sail the course; you can then take a DNF or DSQ for any Rule infringement, other than not sailing the course. The exceptions:

1. The Race Committee rules you couldn’t have finished within the Time Limit (only one finisher in Class for example); in which case it is enough to have Started and all Starters will be counted as finished for the purposes of this award only.
2. You are serving as Race Committee or Mark boat for the Race Committee. Such service substitutes for sailing the race.
3. If the Race Committee ever schedules two, or more, race events for the same date it is sufficient to attend any of them.
4. If, while racing, you become involved in aiding, or attempting to aid, another boat in an emergency that keeps you from Finishing, the Race Committee may count you as Finishing. You will need to submit a Petition for Redress to the Race Committee which explains who you aided, when, for how long, and why you did not Finish.

21.5 Crew Award
A boat that finishes First in Class, corrected time, in: either of the Fall Series, Wednesday Series, Island Series, Inlet Series, Spring Series or the Spring Regatta, wins the option to nominate one of her crew for the Crew Award. To do so, contact the Race Chair with the name of the crew person nominated after the race and before the General Meeting. The award will be presented to all those nominated who are present at the next General Meeting to receive it. Skippers are encouraged to ensure their crew person attends the meeting to receive the awared.

21.7 Perpetual Trophies
Sibold Trophy for First Overall in Eagle Island
Christopher Trophy for First Overall in Squaxin Island
Talcott Bros Trophy for First Overall in Herron Island
Maclean Memorial Trophy for First Overall in Maclean Memorial
SSSS Perpetual Trophy for First Overall in McAllister Creek
SSSS Perpetual Trophy for First Overall in Hope Island
SSSS Perpetual Trophy for First Overall in Island Series
Uncle Juicy Trophy for Most Improved Boat

Winners are listed in the Trophy Case

22. Safety
While sailing is in general a safe sport, please be careful and use common sense. Learn as much as you can about seamanship and boating safety. Plan ahead of time what you will do in various emergencies, then have aboard the appropriate equipment and practice using it with your crew.
The safety of the boat and its crew is solely the responsibility of the skipper. The decision whether to start or not is yours, as is the decision to continue racing.

23. Race Cancellations
Races can be cancelled by posting a notice on the SSSS Website and at designated marina locations.