SETTING UP THE COURSE

Start Line

The start line should be 1 to 1.5 times the length of the largest class stacked end to end.  So if there are 10 Lightnings.  The line should be between 190 and 285 feet long.  Otherwise, you are likely to get boats pushing each other over the line early and you may be forced to issue general recalls because of all the hidden over early boats.

The RC boat normally establishes the starboard end of the line and the pin with the red flag on top establishes the port end.  When calling boats over early remember that the pin has width and the windward or courseside edge of the pin is the start line.

Finish Line

The finish line can be much shorter than the start line.  The pin with the blue flag is generally the starboard end of the finish line and the RC boat is the port end.

Wind-Leeward Leg

The windward to leeward mark leg should be as long as can be laid out that day -- up to a mile.  However, make sure the course does not extend into the channel.  Our marine activity permits that we get from the marine police do not allow us to interfere with channel traffic at all.  Study the chart below.   

Number of Laps

The race should take about 45 to an hour, say, the number 3 finisher.  Keep track of the length of the race for the #3 boat and adjust the length of the course in subsequent races by adding or subtracting laps.

Type of Lap

All classes like windward - leeward courses because they are more tactical.

On a big wind day, reaching legs help reduce the number of capsizes and gives the competitors a chance to see if they can get their boat planning before their competitor does.

A triangle on the first lap helps keep boats out of the starting area when you are still starting the classes.  It is also keep boats rounding the windward mark clear of those coming in just beneath the port layline.  On later laps, the fleet is more spread out and this is less of a problem.  

The first leg of the triangle can be short enough to simulate the function of an offset mark.  In other words, the second leg of the triangle might be close to directly upwind of the leeward mark.  

Our Sailing Area
North is left

North is up  (larger file that take longer to load)