The 1997 Sailing Instructions

1. SPIRIT OF THE RACES
It is the intent of the Singlehanded Sailing Society to make it possible for sailors to compete in seaworthy sailing vessels of various types and designs on a fair and equitable basis. The purpose of the races is to provide an organized arena in which ideas, equipment, designs, and vessels specifically created, built, modified, or equipped for long distance singlehanded racing may be tested and evaluated through friendly sportsmanlike competition. It is through such events that we discover improved techniques beneficial to the average cruising sailors.

2. RACING RULES
The 1993-96 International Yacht Racing Rules as adopted by the USSA, and as amended by these instructions, shall govern all races. Between the hours of sunset and sunrise the Steering and Sailing Rules from COLREGS (International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea) and the Unified Inland Rules shall replace Part IV of the USSA rules. In accordance with the purpose of the races, those sections of the USSA rules which prohibit practices or equipment which are or may prove useful to singlehanded or doublehanded ocean sailors may be waived at the discretion of the Race Committee. Specifically, the following will be allowed:

1. Windvane and/or autopilots.
2. Twin headsails set on two poles for downwind sailing.
3. A whisker pole of suitable size for the largest rated headsail may be carried without penalty, but may not be used with the spinnaker.
4. Asymmetrical spinnakers as included in PHRF rating.

As always, safety and common sense must prevail over rules and rights.

3. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
The Singlehanded Sailing Society races are open to all monohulled and multihulled sailing yachts over 18 feet in waterline length and 20 feet in overall length by the acceptance by the Race Committee of a formal application. Entrants are advised that any unusual arrangement in rig, hull, ballast, sails, or equipment that in the opinion of the Race Committee constitutes a potential hazard, or in any way would be considered an attempt to violate or circumvent the intent of these Sailing Instructions, will be grounds for disqualification.

4. ENTRIES
A singlehanded entry shall consist of sailing yacht plus a named skipper of one person, who shall be at least 18 years of age. A doublehanded entry shall consist of a sailing yacht plus a named crew of two people, one of whom shall be at least 18 years of age. Sponsored yachts will be permitted.

5. ENTRY FEE
Members of the Singlehanded Sailing Society are entitled upon payment of the annual dues to enter the races without additional fees, excluding the Longpac and Singlehanded Transpac races. The entry fees per race for entrants who are not members of the Singlehanded Sailing Society are $30 for members of USSA and $35 for non-members of USSA, excluding the Longpac and Singlehanded Transpac races. All entries for each race must be made on the application form for that race and be accompanied with the entry fee if applicable, and either mailed to the Singlehanded Sailing Society, P.O. Box 1716, Mill Valley, CA, 94942, or delivered to the Race Committee no later than the Skippers Meeting for the race. Entry fees shall be paid by check made payable to the Singlehanded Sailing Society.

6. EVENTS
The events associated with each race are specified in the individual Sailing Instructions for each race.

7. CALENDAR
The dates of each race are attached to these Sailing Instructions as a separate document.

8. COURSES
Courses and starting times for each race will be specified in the individual Sailing Instructions for each race.

9. MANAGEMENT
Each race shall be under the management of the Race Committee of the Singlehanded Sailing Society, which shall have the full power to establish and interpret the rules and conditions governing each race, to decide protests on eligibility, and to reject the entry of any yacht at any time prior to the Preparatory signal for the start of each race. These decisions shall have no appeal.

10. MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
All yachts must comply with the United States Coast Guard's requirements for recreational vessels and have the following minimum equipment.

1. Life lines or safety lines leading from both sides of the cockpit forward and well secured at each end.**
2. Fire extinguisher meeting United States Coast Guard requirements.
3. Manual bilge pump of at least 10 gallons per minute capacity.
4. Anchor with suitable chain and line.
5. Sea cocks or soft wooden plugs to close all throughhull openings.**
6. Navigation lights.
7. Compass.
8. Charts and piloting tools.
9. Lead line or echo sounder.**
10. Fog horn.
11. Radar reflector.**
12. Waterproof flashlight.
13. First aid kit.
14. At least two gallons of fresh water.**
15. Life jacket with whistle attached.
16. Safety harness.
17. VHF radio with channels 16 and 68.
18. Three red parachute flares and three red hand held flares.**

NOTE: ** indicates items that are not mandatory for races whose entire course is within San Francisco Bay.

This list does not attempt to encompass all the equipment that is necessary for shorthanded sailing, and compliance with this list does not relieve the skipper in any way of his sole responsibility for the safety of himself and his vessel.

11. INSPECTION
The Race Committee has the right to inspect any vessel and to reject its entry if they find it does not meet the requirements of these Sailing Instructions.

12. RESPONSIBILITY
It shall be the sole responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or not to start or continue in a race. Every yacht shall render all possible assistance to any vessel or person in peril, when in a position to do so.

13. WAIVER
Every person participating in a race of the Singlehanded Sailing Society must have executed the standard Waiver and Release form of the Singlehanded Sailing Society and submitted such form to the Race Committee prior to starting any race. Skipper and crew are required to submit separate forms, which are valid for the current year.

14. DIVISIONS
There will be five divisions as follows, unless modified by the individual Sailing Instructions for each race:

• Division I - Multihulls
• Division II - Monohulls PHRF 126 and under
• Division III - Monohulls PHRF 127 to 168
• Division IV - Monohulls PHRF 169 and over
• Division V - Monohulls / Non-Spinnaker all PHRF ratings

15. HANDICAP
Corrected times will be computed in accordance with the PHRF time allowance tables for San Francisco. Each monohulled yacht must have a current official PHRF certificate (available from the Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco, Building 312, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA, 94123). Each multihulled yacht must have a current official MPHRF rating (available from the Bay Area Multihull Association). A copy of the PHRF certificate is to be filed with the Singlehanded Sailing Society.

16. CHECK IN
All yachts must check in with the Race Committee prior to the Warning signal on VHF radio channel 68, advising the Race Committee of the yacht's name, and her sail number, and receiving an acknowledgement from the Race Committee. A yacht failing to notify the Race Committee successfully will be scored "Did Not Start".

17. START AND FINISHING LINES
The start/finish line shall be specified in the individual Sailing Instructions for each race.

18. STARTING SIGNALS
The hoisting of shapes at 5 minute intervals, as prescribed in USSA Rule 4.3(i) System 2(ii), shall define the starting sequence. The start for each division shall be the Preparatory signal for the next division to start and the Warning signal for the subsequent division. Each shape shall be dropped one minute before hoisting the next shape.

19. POSTPONEMENT
The signal to postpone will be the hoisting of the Answering Pennant (red and white) and the firing of two guns. The postponement period will end with the lowering of the Answering Pennant and the firing of one gun. One minute after the ending of the postponement period, the warning gun and signal will be made, signifying the resumption of the regular starting sequence. USSA Rule 4.1 is amended to provide that code flag 'P' will be hoisted to indicate that a Postponement or General Recall took place and the scheduled starting times have been cancelled. Yachts will then start in order indicated on the individual race Sailing Instructions rather than at the designated time. The time limit for the race will be extended by an amount of time equal to the duration of the postponement.

20. INDIVIDUAL RECALL
Yachts prematurely across the starting line at their starting signal will be notified by horn blast, hailer and/or over VHF radio channel 68. The Race Committee will also display Code Flag "X" if any yachts are over early. However, nothing contained in these instructions shall relieve a yacht of its obligation to make a proper start. A yacht which does not return to make a proper start will have 20 minutes added to its elapsed time.

21. GENERAL RECALL
Recall of the entire starting division will be signaled by the hoisting of the First Substitute pennant (blue and yellow) and the firing of two guns. When recalled, all yachts of that division, shall immediately leave the starting area and their starting time shall be postponed to 5 minutes after the last scheduled division of starters. If there is more than one general recall, the recalled divisions will start in the order of their initially scheduled starts, following the completion of the regularly scheduled starts.

22. RESTRICTIONS
Any yacht whose Preparatory signal has not been displayed shall keep clear of any yacht whose Preparatory signal has been displayed. The area within 100 yards of the starting line is restricted to all contestants until after their Preparatory signal.

Unless otherwise modified by the Sailing Instructions for each race, the area between Anita Rock and any buoy marking same, the bell buoy off the west end of Alcatraz, and the outer most rocks off Blunt Point, and any buoy marking same, shall be considered restricted areas, as if a point of land extended from the shore to the buoy. This precludes passing between them and the land. The South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge must be left to the south at all times. Any rocks visible at Mean Lower Low water immediately adjacent to the Contra Costa County, Marin County or the City and County of San Francisco shorelines shall be left to shoreward except Mile Rock, Red Rock, the Brothers & the Sisters.

Yachts shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway, or fishing or other vessels with restricted ability to maneuver, (these vessels are required to display appropiate day shapes or night lights to indicate their function). Yachts that impede the passage of a vessel thereby endangering their own safety or that of the commercial or government vessel will be subject to protest by the Race Committee or contestants in the race and possible disqualification.

23. TIME LIMIT
The time for the expiration of each race will be specified in the individual race Sailing Instructions. Exception: In the event of a postponement, the time limit will be extended by an amount of time equal to the duration of the postponement.

24. REPORTING FINISH
Yachts approaching the finish are requested to notify the Race Committee when they have reached the location specified in the individual race Sailing Instructions. Any yacht not finishing within the time limit or withdrawing from the race for any reason must contact the race committee immediately by VHF radio channel 68, or by telephone as soon as possible after returning to shore. Failure to do so will result in the yacht being refused entry in the next race sponsored by the Singlehanded Sailing Society. Participating yachts are encouraged to relay VHF transmissions when it becomes obvious that direct communication with the Race Committee is not possible.

25. PROTESTS AND PENALTIES
Protests shall be submitted in writing (to SSS P.O Box 1716, Mill Valley, Ca 94942) according to the form prescribed by USSA rules and delivered to the Race Committee within 48 hours of the expiration of the time limit of the race. Verbal notification of the intent to protest must be given within 1 hour of the protesting yacht's finish. Penalties for infringements of the rules shall be in accordance with Appendix B1-Section 2 Item 2.1 of the USSA rules. There shall be no appeal to the decision of the Protest Committee concerning a protest.

26. TROPHIES
Trophies will be awarded for first to finish overall, first to finish on corrected time overall, and for corrected time in each division as follows: First if 3 or more starters. Second if 6 or more starters. Third if 10 or more starters. The Race Committee may award additional place trophies depending on the number of starters. One Design classes, or other special designation(s) will require 6 or more starters. In addition, perpetual trophies are awarded for each race. A season perpetual trophy is awarded for the best overall Singlehanded results.

27. AMENDMENTS
Changes to the race instructions announced at the skippers meeting shall prevail over the written instructions.