Cruising Class FAQ’s for boats racing in the 2012 Sunset Series And, be sure to get a copy of the Sailing Instructions online or pick up a copy of the Sailing Instructions at the front desk. Sailing Instructions will be available at CYC and on the web two weeks prior to the first race of the season. 4. More Questions & Answers About Ratings: Q: What is my initial rating based on? A: Your initial rating is based on the So. Cal. PHRF base rating for your model of boat (or our best estimate of what a comparable boat would rate if no rating has been established) together with the offsets (can be either positive or negative) for your boat’s sails, gear, etc. as set out in the ASMBYC Cruiser Class Universal Boat Handicapping Form are the basis of the ratings. If you make subsequent changes (see above under sail and spinnaker changes) to your sail configuration or equipment you must report that change to the Cruising Class Chairmen (see contact information below). Q: How will my rating change from week to week? A: Your rating will automatically either go down if you perform well or it will go up if you don’t perform well relative to the median boat’s performance in your class for a given race (see the Sailing Instructions for the exact formula and limits on weekly adjustments). Q: If it looks like I’m not going to win a race, can I slow down to get a better rating next week? A: Please don’t. Intentionally slowing down, turning circles (if not doing a penalty turn) or doing other unnecessary maneuvers to gain a rating advantage the following week is not considered “fair sailing.” 5. Other Questions: Q: What can I do if I think a competitor is not following the rules above for the Cruising Division? A: If warranted, you can file a protest with within one hour after you finish the race and ask for hearing by the protest committee (but read the Sailing Instructions about the requirements for protesting). You can also bring your concern to the attention of the Cruising Class Chairmen and your competitor. Q: What can I do if I believe the Race Committee did not properly score me? A: You have a 15 minute “grace period” between the time the preliminary results are posted and when the results become final to notify the Race Committee (in the Fleet room upstairs, off the hall beyond the reception desk) of any scoring error. Contact Info: Q: Who do I contact for more information about sailing in the Cruising Class? A: Contact the Cruising Class Chairmen: Steve Curran via phone at (310) 822-9814 or via email at: [email protected]. Bruce Bilson via phone at (818) 985-5121 or via email at [email protected]. Updated 3/1/2012 4 Cruising Class FAQ’s for boats racing in the 2012 Sunset Series A: Most certainly. Boats advising the Cruising Class Chairmen that they intend to race without any spinnaker or gennaker will be given an 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 non-spinnaker or vice versa only once during the regatta 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 ASMBYC Cruiser Class Universal Boat Handicapping Form) you must promptly notify the Cruising Class Chairmen 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 in the 2012 Sunset Series (one main sail and one genoa.) You must notify the Cruising Class Chairmen 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 Cruising Class Chairmen so that your rating can be revised. You must notify the Cruising Class Chairmen BY 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 regatta series. And, you are limited to 2 sail changes (one main and one genoa) in the 2012 Sunset Series. Q: What does the Notice of Race for Sunset Series 2012 say about the Sunset Series Cruising Class? . Each entrant shall complete the on-line registration at Regatta Network and pay the entry fee prior to 1715 hours on the day of the race(s) in which she shall compete. For entrants under the age of eighteen (18), this shall be done by their parent or guardian. You may also use a paper Entry Form for individual races only. 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). Q: What else do I need to do in order to race? A: Remember to enter on line or fill out a white entry card for each week’s race (available at CYC in the back between the front desk and the bar) and turn it in along with the applicable entry fee.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. The entry fee for an individual race is $16. There is a $3 discount for each race in a multiple race on-line registration Updated 3/1/2012 3 Cruising Class FAQ’s for boats racing in the 2012 Sunset Series 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 a 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 $75 for 5 digit nos., $125 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 $100 for US Sailing members and $125 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. 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 Class and how do I know which one I am in? A: In 2012, the Sunset Series will have an “A” and a “B” class in the Cruising Class. Class assign- ments are made by the Cruising Class Chairmen taking into consideration not only a boat’s initial Cruising Class rating, but also her size, sailing characteristics and past racing performance (if any). A Class Assignment List for the Cruising Class will be posted at CYC prior to the first race. If your boat is not on the list, you are responsible for contacting the Cruising Class Chairmen (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. Individual class flags may be purchased at the CYC front desk or from Ship’s Store in MDR. Q: Can I race non-spinnaker? Updated 3/1/2012 2 Cruising Class FAQ’s for boats racing in the 2012 Sunset Series All boats in the Cruising Class must get a new Cruising rating for 2012 using the ASMBYC Cruiser Class Universal Boat Handicapping Form available (no charge) at www.asmbyc.org or from the CYC Cruising Fleet Chairman (see Contact Info at the end of these rules).