I'm somewhat new to sailing and never bothered to race my sunfish or laser.

Just curious, but in sailing, does the act of protest have to occure while still on the water?

I've been a rower for years, and in the crew world the protest has to be voiced while still on the water. This is then followed by a meeting of the officials at the finish line. The party then issuing the protest is then expected to sumbmit a fee of $25-$100 for the protest. Sometimes, in smaller regatta the officials set the protest fee to $1000, so as to discourage the protest.

Is this similar in sailing, because I've found myself protested for oar clashes on more than one occasion......