All races will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing, the prescriptions of the United States Sailing Association (except as any of these are altered by these sailing instructions) and by these sailing instructions. The racing program is designated Category C.

2. Entry.

Entry in the MSC Tuesday & Wednesday J/24 Series is open to club J/24s only.  J/24s are assigned to "Racing Team Captains" who build their crews from other club members.  To request to enter, please complete this form.

Entry in the MSC Thursday J/105 Series is open to J/105s owned by club members only.  To request to enter, please complete this form.

Entry in the PHRF series on Thursday and the Pursuit Race Series on Saturday is open to all boats in the harbor. To request to enter, please complete this form.

3. Entry Fees.

Entry fees are as follows:

MSC Tuesday & Wednesday J/24 series: $250 per series for boats which race out of North Cove and $150 per series for boats raced out of other locations.

4. Notices to Competitors.

5. Changes in Sailing Instructions.

Any change in the sailing instructions will be posted before 5:00 PM on the day it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted at least one day before.  Changes to the Sailing Instructions after the start of the sailing season will be posted on Notice to Competitors page and will appear in these Sailing Instructions in this color type (purple).

6. Signals

Signals made ashore will be displayed from the floating clubhouse at North Cove.  Code Flag "AP" with 2 sound signals (one sound signal when lowered) means "The race is postponed, do not leave the harbor."  If the Race Committee flies Code Flag "AP," it will also attempt to announce this over VHF-CH 69. In the event of questionable weather which may postpone the start, the Race Committee will attempt to fly Code Flag "AP" around 6:10 p.m. so that yachts departing from other marinas will be able to receive notification by VHF.  The time of the warning signal will be posted before the lowering of "AP."

Code Flag "Y" flown from the committee boat before the warning signal means "150% genoas may not be used by the MSC J/24 Class".

Code Flag "Z" flown from the committee boat before the warning signal means "Spinnakers may not be used by the MSC J/24 Class."

7. Schedule of Races.

2010 Schedule

Tuesday J/24 & J/105 Races
Spring Series: May 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Summer Series: July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10 & 17
Fall Series: August 31, September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5 & 12

Wednesday J/24 Races
Spring Series: May 19, 26, June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Summer Series: July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11 & 18
Fall Series: September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & October 6 & 13

Thursday J/105 & PHRF Races
Spring Series: May 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 & July 1
Summer Series: July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12 & 19
Fall Series: September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7 & 14

8. Divisions.

On Tuesday, there will be three divisions:
1 - MSC J/24 Gold Fleet
2 - MSC J/24 Silver Fleet
3 - MSC J/105 Fleet

On Wednesday, there will be two divisions:
1 - MSC J/24 Gold Fleet
2 - MSC J/24 Silver Fleet

On Thursday, there will be 2 Divisions:
1 - MSC J/105 Fleet
2 - PHRF Fleet

9. Racing Area.

The racing area will be in the lower Hudson River and Upper Bay of New York Harbor.

10. Courses.

The course shall be around government marks or inflatable buoys as detailed in the Course Sheet.  The identifying number of the course selected will be displayed from the race committee boat before or with the warning signal.   The Race Committee will also announce the course over VHF CH 69 immediately after the warning signal for the first class.

10a. Gate.

For J/24 Races, if the first leg of a race is to Mark Z and downwind, the Race Committee may use a "Gate" in place of the single Mark Z.  If a gate is used, one of the marks will be a yellow inflatable cylindrical buoy, 4 feet high and the other mark will be an orange inflatable cylindrical buoy.  The Race Committee will announce a "Gate" when announcing the course number.  When there is a gate, boats shall sail between the gate marks from the direction of the previous mark and round either gate mark.  A gate will only be used for the first rounding of Mark Z.  If boats are required to round Mark Z more than once during a race and the gate is used, they shall disregard the yellow gate mark for the second and any subsequent rounding’s and instead just round Mark Z as normal.  The yellow gate mark may or may not be removed from the course after all yachts round it the first time.

11. The Start.

The starting line will be set in the general vicinity of the cove south of the Liberty State Park ferry Terminal and north of Ellis Island.  The starting line will be between an inflatable buoy dropped by the race committee and an orange flag on the Manhattan Sailing Club barge.  A boat shall start no later than five minutes after her starting signal.

On Tuesday, the order of starts will be:
Start 1 - MSC J/24 Gold Fleet
Start 2 - MSC J/24 Silver Fleet
Start 3 - MSC J/105 Fleet

On Wednesday, the order of starts will be:
Start 1 - MSC J/24 Gold Fleet
Start 2 - MSC J/24 Silver Fleet

On Thursday, the order of starts will be:
Start 1 - MSC J/105 Fleet
Start 2 - PHRF Fleet

On Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, the Warning Signal for the first class will be fired at 6:25 p.m. 

The Starting Sequence shall be as follows:

10 minutes before start - Warning Signal - Yellow flag up – one sound signal
6 minutes before start - Yellow flag lowered
5 minutes before start - Preparatory Signal - Blue flag up – one sound signal
1 minute before start - Blue flag lowered
Start - Red flag up– one long sound signal

The second start on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday will be 5 minutes after the first start.
1 minute before start, Red flag lowered
Start - Green flag up - one sound signal

The third start on Tuesday will be 5 minutes after the second start.
1 minute before start - Green flag lowered
Start - Red flag up - one sound signal

12.2. General Recall

When a general recall is signaled, the Race Committee will also attempt to announce the recall to all boats via VHF CH-69.  The start sequence will be shortened to five minutes and initiated one minute after the lowering of the General Recall flag.

13. The Finish.

The finishing line will be between an inflatable buoy dropped by the race committee and an orange flag on the Manhattan Sailing Club barge.  The Race Committee may, at its discretion and without any additional notice, bring the finishing mark closer to the Manhattan Sailing Club barge.

14. Time Limit.

On weekday evening’s races, the time limit shall be 30 minutes after sunset, as published in Eldridge.  Any yacht in a MSC J/24 Division not finishing within 20 minutes of the first boat in their division will be scored as "Did Not Finish”.  On weekend races, the time limit shall be 3 hours.

15. Change of Course After the Start

Code Flag "S"  The Race Committee reserves the right to shorten the course at any mark and at any time. The Race Committee will signal with horns blasts and fly Code flag "S." The finish will be between the Committee boat and that mark of the course.

16. Retirement

Any yacht that retires shall immediately notify the race committee and get clear of the other boats racing.

17. Special Rules & Penalty System.

The following special rules and penalty system apply:

17.1 - 360 Degree Turn - A boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2 while racing may take a penalty at the time of her incident.  The penalty must be taken immediately and the infringing boats shall get clear of other boats and take the penalty without continuing to sail forward in the race.  If there was no contact, her penalty shall be one 360 degree turn instead of a 720 degree turn.

17.2 - No Touching Rule - If a MSC J/24 touches any other vessel or a government mark, the J/24 shall immediately retire from the race, notify the Race Committee, and sail clear of other race boats.  A touch is defined as any contact between boats, including rigs, sails, crew, etc.  If two MSC J/24’s touch, both boats shall immediately retire from the race, notify the Race Committee and sail clear of the other race boats, regardless of who was at fault.  Failure to retire immediately following a touch will result on the first occasion in suspension from the next week of racing and on the second occasion of suspension from the series

17.3 - Right of Way for Commercial Traffic - All commercial vessels shall have right of way over all racing sailboats. If a racing sailboat crosses the bow of a commercial vessel and that vessel alters course or speed as a result, the sailboat may be disqualified by the race committee.  If any sailboat decides to take the stern of a commercial vessel, all sailboats in the same location or subsequently arriving on the scene must also take the stern of the commercial vessel unless sufficient proof can be provided by a sailboat that taking the stern would have caused increased risk.  If a commercial vessel slows or comes to a stop when approaching sailboats, sailboats must still continue to take the stern so as to clear a path for the commercial vessel to move forward and clear.  The race committee may disqualify a yacht at its discretion without a hearing for any interference with commercial vessels.

17.4 - Dangerous Events & Safety - If any yacht goes turtle or swamps in the harbor, collides with commercial traffic resulting in damage, or experiences some other situation which could result in significant danger to sailors, racing shall be automatically cancelled and all boats should drop their sails and proceed under engine power to the location of the incident in order to render assistance if necessary.  All yachts should stand-by in order to provide assistance if required but not in a manner that would cause congestion to the area.

17.5 - Assistance from Race Committee - The Race Committee is allowed to respond to any questions from sailors even after the race has started and any such answers from the race committee will not be considered outside assistance.   However, sailors are responsible for knowing the rules and incorrect or misinterpreted information from the race committee on the water is not grounds for protest and does not circumvent the sailing instructions.

17.6 - Crew - After departing dock, MSC J/24s may not accept any more crew onboard.  Crew may not be transferred from a powerboat or from another sailboat.

17.7 - Breakdowns - Breakdowns during a race are scored the same as DNFs.  This is because Team Captains are responsible for their boats and for helping identify possible repair items and working with the club staff to effect repairs.  If a boat breaks, the Team Captain should make a careful assessment as to whether to continue sailing.  If the Team Captain chooses to continue sailing and this results in additional damage to the boat, the Team Captain will have failed in their responsibility to operate the boat in safe and proper manner.

17.8 - Security Zones - The USCG has established a 150-yard security zone around Ellis and Liberty Islands as shown below.  Additional there is a 100-yard security zone are around all US Naval or Coast Guard vessels.  These security zones are considers obstructions on the race course and no boat is allowed to sail inside the security zones.  In addition to the actions described below, violators are subject to a fine by the USCG of $50,000 and imprisonment of not more than 5 years.

17.8.a - Protocol for Security Zone Disqualification - The Race Committee or on-water judge may disqualify, without a hearing, any boat it observes to have sailed inside a security zone at any time while racing.  This disqualification will be announced to the infringing boat via VHF CH-69 or by direct hail, and the infringing boat shall immediately retire from the race.  The infringing boat shall make an immediate course change to exit the security zone, using engine power if necessary to expedite her exit.  The boat will be scored DSQ.

17.9 Use of Motors Before Start - Motors may be used up until one minute before the starting signal to assist a boat getting to the starting line.

18. MSC J/24 Equipment.

MSC J/24s will be provided for all club teams and the following rules shall apply:

18.1 - Modification to Boat - Teams shall not modify the J/24s or cause them to be modified in any way except for modifications approved in advance by the Manhattan Sailing Club.  This includes drilling new holes, affixing new turning blocks, etc.  Teams shall not cut or cause to be cut any lines, sheets or halyards on the boat.  Teams shall not scrub the boats or scrub the rudders.

18.2 - Adjustment to Stays & Lifeline - Teams shall not remove any rigging tape or attempt to adjust the sidestays, backstays or lifelines. All stays and lifelines will be tensioned by the MSC staff.

18.3 - Lines & Sheets - Teams may use their own lines or sheets provided that the MSC supplied equipment is carried while racing and the boat is returned to original condition after racing. Teams shall carry while afloat all equipment, including extra sails, provided with the yacht for sailing purposes.

18.4 - Tape & Markings - Teams shall not apply any tape or make any marks or writing on the boat, spars or poles.

18.5 - Pre-Departure Check - Teams are responsible for ensuring that all equipment is onboard and functioning prior to leaving the dock.

18.6 - Reporting Loss or Damage - Teams shall report any damage or loss of equipment, however slight, after securing the yacht ashore. The report must be made in writing in the Maintenance log maintained by the club.

18.7 - Cost for Repairing Damage - The cost for repairing any damage to the boats caused by a collision shall be split equally by both boats unless the skippers involved agree otherwise.  If you are involved in a collision which causes one or more boats to be removed form club service for repair, then your sailing privileges at the club are also suspended until all affected boats are repaired and restored to service for all members.

19. Protests - The Manhattan Sailing Club strongly discourages protests.  Competitors are encouraged to resolve any race disputes among themselves in an amicable manner consistent with the club's spirit of "friendly competition”.

If a boat does choose to protest another, protest flags are not required but the Race Committee must be notified in the proper manner.  The protesting team must deliver a written protest to the club by 9 a.m. on the following morning.  E-mail is permitted and should be delivered the Race Committee Chair.  The protest will be considered either by the Protest Committee appointed by the Race Committee Chair or the appropriate designee.

20. PHRF Ratings & Calculations.

Yachts in the PHRF classes must have a current PHRF-MA certificate.  A PHRF-MA certificate application can be obtained at www.phrfma.org. A copy of the certificate must be fax to MSC at 212-786-1743 or mailed to: Manhattan Sailing Club, 385 South End Ave #7G, New York, NY 10280. 

For all PHRF classes, the time on time scoring system will be used.

21. Scoring & Standings.

The Low Point Scoring System will be used with overall standings determined by average finish.  Any boat scoring DNF, DNS, BKDN, DSQ or other special finish will be given one more point than the number of finishers with no additional penalty points assigned (i.. if only 1 boat finishes the race, everyone else will be scored as 2nd).  If a team does not leave the dock on a specific week, they will be given a BYE and no score counted.  To qualify for a series, a team must participate in at least 5 races (races not completed due to weather or other circumstances count as a participation date for all teams). If 5 or more races are completed in a series, teams which participate in 6 or more races will be allowed to drop their worst finish including finishes of DNF, DNS, BKDN & DSQ. If less than 5 races are completed, there will be no drop race.

22. Prizes.

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers at the end of every night.  For fleets with 4 or fewer boats, only first place will receive a prize.  For fleets between 5 and 7 boats, the top 2 boats will receive a prize.  For fleets between 8 and 14 boats, the top 3 will receive a prize.  For fleets larger than 15, the top four will receive a prize.