So, my logic/ judgment ... Yes... I am breaking the law and if stopped by the police... I will pay the fine.... It's just like a seat belt offense.... pisser.
Re the Racing Rules.
The essence of the rules is to establish the ground rules for fair competition. On a single handed catamaran... the throwable requirement has a marginal safety value. (Why wouldn't a laser need the thowable as well. the 16 foot line is arbitrary and capricious in this context) The CE versus Coast Guard approval issue has even less safety value.
My observation is that the class members ignore this prescription.... therefore, I choose to fall in line with the class philosophy.
Is the CE vest a performance advantage... probably.. but I don't think the intention of the rules extends to mandating personal gear restrictions ... (what next... a glove rule). Again, I choose to fall in line with the class philosophy.
Therefore, my personal choice is to judge that I am not gaining an unfair advantage and I am also consistent with the class culture in not enforcing that prescription on my competitors.
If protested by a class member who does not exercise good judgment, I will dsq myself before the hearing and allow the class members to deal with the aftermath.
If the PRO or RC protests me... I will dsq myself and never return to the event.
As I noted... good judgment is needed all around...
This prescription is an issue of the rules ONLY when someone elevates it to the level. Sailboat racing is a social contract between competitors and Race management ... the game is bound by the OD class rules, the RRS, Prescriptions AND GOOD JUDGMENT.
If the class you sail in does not have members with good judgment... instead of changing the vest... change the class or switch to a class with no fools!
FYI, Rules can be ADDED (not just ignored) .. CRAC dealt with distance racing equipment rules in a similar manner.
We have no authority or wisdom to counter or supersede coast guard regulation. Moreover, we have no off shore safety gear requirements for beach cat racing. However, We do specify a list of gear for distance races and you will be dsq if you don't have it on a spot check.
Our solution... We simply require a specified list of gear to race...If we insisted you tape a kewpie doll to your boom... So be it... If that required hand held radio gear proves useful to you as you drift demasted out there... Wow...what a coincidence!
Again... it's both the rules... AND the culture of good judgment that makes it work.
One of fleet members was dsq'd for not following these rules in the past.
