SUNSET SERIES CRUISING CLASS RULES (effective March 23, 2010) All boats in the Cruising Class must get a new Cruising Division Rating (CDR) for 2010 using the 2010 ASMBYC Cruiser Class Adjustment Form, also available from the CYC Cruising Class Chairman (see Contact Info at the end of these rules). All rating forms must be signed. 1. Overview: Cruiser handicap racing Cruiser handicap racing uses a modified version of the PHRF time on distance handicap system. Racers in the Cruising Division of the Sunset Series are assigned an initial handicap by the CYC Cruising Class Chairman based on the PHRF base rating for their model boat plus allowances for cruising gear, headsail size, etc. Unlike a PHRF rating which remains fixed, your Cruising Division Rating (CDR) in the Sunset Series will change from week to week depending on your boat’s performance. In effect, you and your crew’s performance, together with the boat itself, are being handicapped. The exact formula is set out in the Sailing Instructions. Which boats are eligible to race in the Cruising Class in the Sunset Series? The Cruising Class is intended for production cruising or “cruiser/racer” type displacement sailboats that are steered either by skippers new to racing or more experienced skippers who simply wish to avoid the expense of equipping their boats for full-out PHRF racing. The CYC Cruising Class Chairman can decide if a boat entering the class is appropriate and in keeping with the spirit of the class. 2. Getting Started In Racing: Q: Do I need to join a “cruising fleet” or “cruising class” in order to race in the Cruising Division? A: No. Simply get a Cruising Division Rating (CDR) from the Cruising Class Chairman (see below). Q: How do I get my initial rating? A: Simply fill out the 2010 ASMBYC Cruiser Class Adjustment Form, also available (no charge) at www.asmbyc.org or from the CYC Cruising Class Chairman (see Contact Info at the end of these rules). Either turn it in to the CYC front desk or fax the form to the CYC Cruising Class Chairman. Please note that applications must be submitted no later than 1700 hours on the prior Sunday to be eligible to race in that week’s Wednesday night race (otherwise, you will have to wait until the next week to race). All boats must get a new initial CDR for 2010! Q: Do I need a PHRF Certificate to race in the Cruising Division? A: No. You do, however, need to obtain your initial CDR, as per above. Q: Do I need to be a member of a yacht club to race? A: Yes. Without the yacht clubs to run races there wouldn’t be any racing, at least at the local level, so it is important to the sport to join the club of your choice. There are several “non-landed” yacht clubs that are very inexpensive to join, such as South Bay Yacht Racing Club (www.sbyrc.org to download an application) and Women’s Sailing Association (www.wsasmb.org). For a more complete list of yacht clubs, visit the Southern California Yachting Association (“SCYA”) web site, www.scya.org. Q: Do I need sail numbers? A: Yes. “Regulation” sail numbers (e.g., electrical tape won’t do), unique to your boat, are required on both sides of your main and headsail (but not on spinnakers or gennakers) so that the Race Committee can readily identify boats at the Start and, most important to you, at the Finish and assure a fair race to all. Q: Who assigns sail numbers? A: There are three sources. If you belong to an SCYA-affiliated yacht club (check their web site, www.scya.org, for the list), you can purchase sail numbers from their Service Center in Long Beach (approximately $50 for 5 digit nos., $100 if you want a 4 digit number, at last report). Download the application form from their web site listed above or request that one be mailed to you (562-433-7426). Credit cards not accepted, but if you’re in a hurry, they tell us that you can fax back the form (to 562-638-8656) along with a copy of your check and yacht club card and they will fax you back your sail number (which is voided if they do not receive your check in one week). Or you may obtain a sail number from US Sailing (401-683-0800, e-mail [email protected]). Last year’s price was $45 for US Sailing members and $60 for non-members, but check with them as to current price. Or for sail numbers to be used in the Sunset Series only, you may contact the CYC Cruising Class Chairman. Page 1 of 3 2010 Sunset Series Cruising Class Rules Q: How do I get the sail numbers made up and installed? A: Any local sailmaker can make up sail numbers and assist you with installation. 3. Other Things To Know About Racing Wednesday Nights: Q: Which classes are established in the Cruising Division and how do I know which one I am in? A: In 2010, the Sunset Series will have an “A” and a “B” class in the Cruising Division. Class assignments are made by the CYC Cruising Class Chairman taking into consideration not only a boat’s initial Cruising Division Rating (CDR), but also her size, sailing characteristics and past racing performance (if any). A Class Assignment List for the Cruising Division will be posted at CYC prior to the first race. If your boat is not on the list, you are responsible for contacting the CYC Cruising Class Chairman (see Contact Info at the end of these rules) for a rating and class assignment. Q: Do I need to fly a class flag while racing on Wednesday nights? A: Yes. Your class flags must be flown on the backstay above the boom while racing so the Race Committee (and other racers) may readily identify the class you are racing in. For the Cruising Division in 2010, Class “A” is assigned numeral pennant “6” and Class B is assigned numeral pennant “7”. Individual class flags may be purchased at the CYC front desk or from Ship’s Store in MDR. Q: Can I race non-spinnaker? A: Most certainly. Boats advising the CYC Cruising Class Chairman that they intend to race without any spinnaker or gennaker will be given a ONE-TIME non-spinnaker allowance to their rating. But if you later sail in any Sunset Series race with a spinnaker or gennaker, the allowance is forfeited and may not thereafter be restored during the season. You may change from spinnaker to nonspinnaker or vice versa only once during the Sunset Series. Also, if you change from “non-spinnaker” to “spinnaker or gennaker” (or make any other change in your boat’s gear as listed on the 2010 ASMBYC Cruiser Class Adjustment Form) you must promptly notify the CYC Cruising Class Chairman the Sunday before you race (see the Q&A below about mid-season changes to your sails & equipment). Q: Can I change the size of my sails midseason? A: Yes once. You are limited to 2 changes during the Sunset Series (one main sail and one genoa.) You must notify the CYC Cruising Class Chairman by 1700 the Sunday before your first race with any change. Q: If I change the size or type of sails I use mid-season (e.g., switch from non-spinnaker to spinnaker and/or to a larger headsail) do I have to report it? A: Yes. It is your obligation to notify the CYC Cruising Class Chairman so that your rating can be revised. You MUST notify the CYC Cruising Class Chairman NO LATER THAN 1700 hours the Sunday before you first race with ANY configuration change, otherwise, you may be subject to a protest (see also the Q&A about. racing non-spinnaker). You may change from spinnaker to non-spinnaker or vice versa only once during the Sunset Series. And, you are limited to 2 sail changes (one main and one genoa) during the Sunset Series. Q: What does the Notice of Race for Sunset Series 2010 say about the Sunset Series Cruising Class? A: This is what the NOR says: “…a boat racing in a Cruising class must have a sail number and a Cruising Division Rating (CDR). A new CDR must be issued for the 2010 Sunset Series; any change to the information submitted to receive a 2010 CDR shall invalidate a boat’s CDR and make her ineligible to race until an adjustment to her CDR has been issued. See the Sunset Series Cruising Class Rules, also available at the CYC Front Desk by March 31. For more information about the Cruising Class, contact Bruce Bilson at [email protected] or 818.985.5121. Q: Can I use power winches and autopilot? A: Power winches are allowed. Autopilot is not. Q: What else do I need to do in order to race? A: Remember to fill out a CYC Entry Form for each week’s race (also available at CYC in the back between the front desk and the bar) and turn it in along with the applicable entry fee ($12 for US Sailing members and $14 for others) to the CYC front desk by 5:15 PM on the Wednesday you intend to race. You can enter several weeks all at one time, but you need to fill out a separate entry card for each race entered.