Don't be intimidated by the word "RACING." This is more like playing golf or pickleball with some friends. And it's a great way to build your sailing skills and interact with fellow sailors. No racing experience is necessary. All boat classes are welcome.

Races are held each Sunday afternoon during the season as long as there are at least 3 boats. The first race starts at 2:00 pm. We keep them short so we can get in several. Scoring is based on Portsmouth Handicapping. We use an automated Ollie box 3-minute horn starting sequence -- no flags. The starting/finish line is between yellow flags on the RC boat and a starting mark. SYC has fixed race marks numbered 1-8, although 5 and 6 are currently missing. The race course is some sequence of those mark numbers as posted with numbered placards on the RC boat, a red placard for port rounding, green for starboard rounding. See the map of racing marks. While these are informal, fun, races, we'll attempt to follow The Racing Rules of Sailing. If you don’t want to read the book, here are the top 10 commandments of racing.

1. Port keeps clear of starboard. R10
2. Windward keeps clear of leeward when overlapped. R11
3. When on the same tack a boat astern keeps clear of a boat ahead. R12
4. A boat Tacking keeps clear of one that is not tacking. R13
5. If you gain right of way (R15) or change your course (R16.1), give the other boat time (Room) to keep clear.
6. The inside overlapped boat at three boat lengths from the mark is entitled to Mark-Room. R18
7. A boat that is backing up (R22.3), taking a penalty turn (R22.2) or not racing must keep clear of other boats.
8. If you have broken a rule, always get well clear as soon as you can, and then take your penalty turn(s). R44.2
9. When in doubt give way. No rule, just common sense.
10. Don’t hit anybody. The Racing Rules are defensive and intended to prevent collisions. R14