What's the rule on late starts? Is there a time limit after which the rules can effect your points, and how can you work this to your advantage? Recently we had a problem, repaired it and subsequently latestarted. There were a # of no shows for the race from the previous day. (# of boats had gone from 7 or 8 down to 4 or 5 in our class) Figured if we at least latestarted then we got last place points in a smaller class for that 1st race of the day instead of a DNS.

A little supportive wisdom here, Gentlemen?

Off the cuff (without looking it up to confirm...) I believe there is a rule that if a boat is not in the starting area when the sequence begins it cannot start. Have to check if it's still a rule. Whether or not this enforced at different levels of competition, I don't know. I know my club doesn't...

This is an issue that is resolved by your standard sailing instructions. on page 81 of the rule book they recomend statement 10.4 "a boat starting later then X minutes after her starting signal will be scored did not start This changes rule A4.1



So. If your SI's ommit this proviso. so long as the line is established you could start and sail the proper course. The SI's may also specify qualifiers to finishing. eg. time limit to finish.



If the RC has gone home for the day. a yacht is take their time and report to the RC as soon as possible. I believe that this is in the rule book and it is usally restated in the SI's.

What the heck I just researched this same subject for ttsimmons. The answer is in your race instructions and if the RC did a really bad job and did not give you any then I suppose that any start at any time before the starting line becomes a finishing line would float and shame on the RC for not doing their job. If how ever you had an early start then the default rule gives you 4 minutes to get back on the start side of the line. unless modified by RC instructions wich you aparently did not have. My $.02