For the 2nd year in a row, Jon and Gale Pinckney have won the Harbor 20 Division A Championships with an impressive four 1st place finishes out of a total of 8 races over two days in Newport Harbor over the weekend. A total of 33 teams participated in the annual event which represents the final event for the Harbor 20 sailing year.

Jim & Mary Buckingham received 2nd place while Kurt & Anne Wiese received 3rd place. Six of the top eight competitors in A Division were husband / wife teams, which is common among the Harbor 20 Fleet.

Len Bose and Craig Chamberlain won the B Division Championship, with Daniel and Mariah Geissmann and John & Mary Whitney getting 2nd and 3rd places. Similar to the A Division, five of the top 9 finishers in B Division were husband / wife teams.

Porter Killian & Chris Killian, a father / son team, dominated the C Division by getting 1st place in all eight races, earning him them the right to sail in B Division.

The Harbor 20 Fleet thanks Newport Harbor Yacht Club as the OA and hosting the social events surrounding Championships. Complete race results are available here.

Photos will be posted to the Harbor 20 Facebook Page in the coming days.

On Friday, October 2, the day before the Championship, the H20 Association is sponsoring an evening called “ASK THE JUDGES” at 7:00 PM at NHYC. Certified judges will be present to answer any and all questions you might have about the Racing Rules of Sailing for 2013-2016. A whiteboard with magnetic boats will be used to help visualize on-the-water situations as they change over time.

Don’t go into the Championship with lingering questions about the rules. We will be entertaining questions such as:

1)     Can you have contact with another boat and not have broken a rule?

2)     If two overlapped, close hauled, starboard tack boats reach a windward mark to be left to port, does the leeward boat have to fall off at the mark, or can it continue to sail on, taking the windward boat with it?

3)     Can boats on opposite tacks be overlapped?

4)     If a boat running on port tack overlaps to leeward a boat running on starboard tack, and then jibes, does he (she) then have luffing rights?

5)     Does a boat which tacks from port to starboard inside the 3 boat length circle ever have rights to mark room?

6)     The committee boat is a mark and an obstruction. Is an inside boat, overlapped to windward, entitled to room at the obstruction before starting?

7)     Is a boat ever required to sail her proper course?

8)     Does a boat which is sailing above close hauled have to fall off to a close hauled course at the starting signal?

9)     Can you take a penalty turn anytime before the finish of a race to exonerate yourself of a rule infraction?

Answers:

 

1) No

 

2) Yes or no, depending on how the overlap was established

 

3) Yes , if both are sailing more than 90 degrees from the wind

 

4) Yes

 

5) Yes

 

6) Yes, unless approaching the starting line to start (barging)

 

7) No

 

8 ) Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It all depends on how overlaps with adjacent boats were established.

 

9) No. A penalty must be taken as soon as possible after the time of the incident.

What’s your question? Come and get the answer. Find out once and for whether you were right or wrong in past incidents. This should be a really interesting and fun evening!

We hope to see you there!

The Class & Fleet Championships are being held next weekend, and your last chance to sign up (without a late fee) is Wednesday before 5pm.  Sign up at NHYC website here.

Keep in mind the eligibility rules that will be strictly enforced for this special event:

From the Class Bylaws:

II.D. Class and Fleet Championship Race Participation Requirements

 

 

II.D.1. Championship races are special events for boat owners. For Class Championships and Fleet Championships, the Helmsman must be an Owner Member who has been a member for over 60 days. In the case of multiple Owner Members, the Helmsman is the one who signs the entry form.

 

 

II.D.2. Boats that are racing must have been kept in the water continuously for 60 days prior to Class Championships and Fleet Championships.

 

 

II.D.3. The crew for Class Championship and Fleet Championship Series must be a person who meets the basic principles and intent of these rules (Section II.A.4), and they must have sailed in at least twelve Class Races in the same boat during the time period between the last Class or Fleet Championship Series and the Class or Fleet Championship Series under consideration. Paid professional sailors and full-time sailing coaches must have been retired for at least three full years.

 

 

II.D.4. Only the Helmsman shall steer the boat during a race except for momentary relief in non-tactical situations.

 

 

II.D.5. It is intended that strict adherence to the rules specified in this section be maintained. However, a member with special circumstances, may petition the Class or Fleet Board for a variance in these

II.D Rules using the provisions of I.D.15. This should be done well in advance of the event.

 

 

II.D.6. The Class or Fleet Measurer may require the first five finishers be inspected at the finish of each race.

 

 

II.D.7. The Main Sail is to be manufactured by Elliot Pattison Sailmakers, and the Jib Sail is to be manufactured by Ullman Sailmakers.

 

 

III.E. Equipment Required/Permitted

 

 

III.E.1. All Class Required Equipment as defined below shall be aboard while racing in any Class regatta. Specified weights may be installed in substitution for certain items of Class Required Equipment. No other sailing equipment will be permitted aboard Class Yachts while racing except as is specifically provided for below.

 

 

III.E.2. Each item of Class Required Equipment shall be in accordance with the designs and specification of the Builder or of at least equal weight and in the same location. Standard built-in interior equipment of the “Standard Base” Class Yacht shall not be removed or modified in any way so as to affect the performance of the yacht.

 

 

III.E.3. Added compensation weight of lead or other approved material will be substituted in the absence of electric propulsion devices. Such weight shall be permanently fastened with GRP or mechanical fasteners. For auxiliary motor and batteries, 70 pounds is to be permanently installed on each of the platforms under the seats, and 20 pounds is to be permanently installed in the lazarette against the transom.

 

 

III.E.4. Owners shall request the Class Measurer’s approval for each specific weight substitution and the Class Measurer shall maintain (available for inspection) a true and complete record of each substitution.

 

 

III.E.5. Required equipment for Class racing includes:

a. Full seat cushions, either as supplied by the Builder, or their equivalent.

b. Three-pound anchor with 50 feet of 1/4″ diameter line, a 2-gallon bucket, a paddle of 36” minimum length.

 

 

III.E.6. Wind indicators and telltales (non-electric) are permitted and may be placed at the Owner’s discretion anywhere on the boat’s sails and rigging.

 

 

III.E.7. Compasses and timers are permitted. The size and location is at the Owner’s discretion.

 

 

III.E.8. GPS and VHF units may be on board for use in an emergency, but not used during a race unless noted on the Notice of Race or the Sailing Instructions.

 

 

III.E.9. The length of the tiller may be shortened to suit individual preference, and a tiller extension may be installed.

 

 

III.E.10. Running lights may be installed.

 

 

III.E.11. An electric bilge pump may be installed.

The full text of the ByLaws can be found online here.

All members must be current with their membership dues.

It is the responsibility of the competitor to conform with these rules. The Class and Fleet Measurer’s may perform inspections before or after the race to validation rule conformance. Questions should be directed to Warren Duncan or Michael Volk, Measurers and Rules Chairs.

Variances to these rules, should be petitioned to the Board of Directors (as provided for in the bylaws) prior to the races by submitting them to the Class or Fleet Measurer as appropriate.

See you on the water next weekend!!

It’s that time of year again where the “North” (Fleet 4 – Santa Barbara) meets and races against the “South” (Fleet 1 – Newport Beach) in a 2-day, fun filled Weekend Event!

Last year Santa Barbara hosted the event, provided great races, excellent entertainment and parties, and wonderful food. This year, Fleet 1 is hosting the event in Newport Harbor and we have a packed schedule of social, eating and sailing events – and you’re invited to join in the fun and racing!

• Friday 6pm Welcome Reception Party
• Saturday: Racing Rules Refresher, Strategy & Local Knowledge Seminar
• Saturday: Lots of racing in the bay
• Saturday: Cocktail reception and Band
• Saturday: Dinner at NHYC
• Sunday: Lots of racing
• Sunday: Cocktails & Live Music
• Sunday:  BBQ Beach Party at LIYC

There are several opportunities to participate:

Skipper / Crew: There are a few spots left to represent Fleet 1 in the competition. $200 includes race entry and all the social events / dinners.

Boat Owner: Fleet 1 is providing all the boats for the race. Boat owners that loan their boats to the event get to sail along as the “3rd person” in the boat. Boats will rotate, giving Boat Owners an opportunity to sail with different expert sailors over the weekend. Boat Owners get to race in the races and participate in all the social events & dinners: $150

(Note: If boat owners would like to just race, and not attend any of the events, the race entry is only $25)

Events Only: Those that wish to participate in all the fun events, but not race, the cost is $125.

Volunteer Only: And those that just want to participate in the organization of the event and the races can volunteer with Race Committee, or “Pit Crew” (dockside boat organization and prep). No charge, but no social events included.

Visit the Online Race Notice Board for Registration, Payment and the NORs for the event.

Sign up today!

If you have any questions about participating, contact the event Chairman Warren Duncan.