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Steeplechase Race, Islamorada, FL eid# 826
December 9, 2016
All day event
All day event
Description:
33rd ANNUAL
KEY LARGO STEEPLECHASE RACE
PDF Download of NOR and Sailing Instructions
DEC 9-11, 2016
Islamorada, FL
Rules and Information
The organizing authority Is Islander Watersports at the Islander resort, MM 82.1, the Florida Keys, for this year only. The race will be maintained as an informal race with less organization but there are rules and requirements included below:
GENERAL
This document is your Notice of Racing (NoR) and Sailing Instruction (SI). Together with the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and the ratings list are the only documents which shall apply.
As in past years this race will be a two (2) day race around Key largo beginning at the Islander Resort sailing northeast to Angel Fish Creek, back south westerly through Jewfish Creek, stopping overnight at the Upper Keys Yacht Club (UKYC), then continuing through the bayside islands, through channel 5, and returning to the Islander resort, the second day. There will be no marks other than the start and finish lines defined below.
- This race is open to all beach type catamarans.
- A $50 entry fee is required at registration. The fees may be modified when trophies are selected. ($10 of the registration fee will be used to support social activities, described below. The extra $10 will be used to pay the boat overnight fee at the Upper Keys Yacht Club. Fees must be paid in cash or checks.
- Protests are to be resolved by the sailors on the course or together after racing. Please obey the racing rules of sailing (RRS). Issues that cannot be resolved may use the arbitration process defined in Appendix T, section D of the RRS. The PRO will be the arbitrator.
- There are no chase boats, you must be prepared to fend for yourself. (See Stories from 13th year, Cat sailor magazine)
- You will receive a time correction for time recorded assisting a boat in trouble (keep track of your time in doing so).
- You may paddle at any time. Rule 42 does not apply when paddling through mangrove Islands, or when becoming grounded or intangled.
- There must be at LEAST two (2) people on each boat.
- Registration 3-4 PM on Friday and 7:30 AM on Saturday, with a skippers meeting at 8 AM at Islander Watersport.
- Feel free to ask questions of veteran sailors about the course and about safety. You will still need to complete final registration, pay the fees, and sign the waivers, etc.,ABILITY AND SAFETY
- To attempt this race, you must be competent, able sailors, knowing how to do such things as:
- right your own boat
- read navigational charts
- read the water color for shoals
- anchor your boat in case of heading for a peril
- ride out squalls and storms
- You must wear an approved PFD at all times, have all USCG safety equipment aboard, a waterproof chart, waterproof flashlight, and adequate anchor and line.
- Both skipper and crews must write the emergency telephone number on their arm (waterproof pens will be available); 305 522 4944 (Watersports) or 321 544 1512 (PRO) -- these are cellular telephones that will be manned all the time but can be unreliable at some sites in the Keys. If you are retiring from the race or broken down, you must call these numbers right away. Otherwise, we might be sending the USCG after you.
- don't forget to take essentials like water, sunblock, and food.
The Course
On the first day, there will be a water start within one mile of the pier at the Islander Resort.) The course proceeds northerly up Hawk Channel to and through Angelfish Creek, then southerly through Card Sound and Barnes Sound.
The finish will be at Upper Keys Sailing Club and the line will be between a orange flag on UKSC Pier and the main mast of a cruising monohull sailboat with a green sail cover that is more or less permanently moored about 100 feet off the UKSC Pier. You may finish in either direction.
Late Finishers: If you are more than two hours after the first boat finishes, note the time you finished and give that info to score keeper. You may call the numbers listed above to do so.
On the second day, there will be a deep water start. From there the course goes southwesterly by boat’s choice navigation to and through Channel Five Bridge, then northeasterly up Hawk Channel to a finish line at the Island Resort. The Finish Line is between an Orange Flag on the Islander Resort Pier and an Orange Mark. You may cross in either direction.
Starting Sequences
Rule 26 Start Procedure will be used. A warning sound may be used one minute before the sequence start as a courtesy to get your timing device ready. A Red Warning Flag will go up with a sound a 5 minutes before the start. A Prep Flag will go up with a sound 4 minutes before the start. The prep flag will come down with one minute before the start, and the Red warning Flag will lower with a sound at the Start.
First day: The warning flag will be NET 08:55, Saturday, December 10, 2016.
Second day: The warning Flag will be NET 08:55 December 11, 2016.
Do NOT be over early at the start!!
If anyone is over early, the individual recall flag will be flown for four minutes or until the over-early boats have exonerated themselves by restarting, whichever comes first. Over-early boats will NOT be notified. If a boat is over early and does not re-start, that boat will be assessed a 10% time penalty for the day. If there is a general recall, the general recall flag will be flown, the clock will continue to run, and the fleet will restart exactly five minutes later. However, all of the above is really moot, because the Race Starters absolutely forbid anyone to be over early.
Portsmouth Rating Numbers
US Sailing D-PN numbers and mandatory modifications will apply for the entire race, and all sails and modifications must be claimed by 0800 Saturday morning.
The modified D-PN number will apply regardless of whether or not the additional sails and rigging are carried on the boat.
The Optional Modification for crew weight, and for spinnakers in a distance race will NOT be applied.
For comparison purposes only, The RC will score using SCHRS and provide information
Trophies
The dilapidated but highly coveted and esteemed Olde Lawnchair with the record of all past Steeplechases goes to the first boat overall on elapsed time. And the Carlton Tucker Perpetual is kept here in Key Largo.
A perpetual trophy is taken home by the overall Portsmouth winner.
Keeper trophies (TBD) go to both skipper and crew of first, second and third place boats on Portsmouth and to the overall winner on elapsed time.
Motels in The Keys:
It is highly suggested you stay at the Islander Resort; A rate of $149 has been established for competitors.
Islamorada Chamber of Commerce for Lodging: Alternatively for another location please contact; http://www.islamoradachamber.com/islamoradalodging.cfm#.VFqRPmdQMaw
Parts, Equipment and Gear
If you are getting parts and equipment before you get to the event, you can order them through www.OnLineMarineStore.com and have them shipped to you % Rick White, 6 Coral Way (mm105), Key Largo, FL 33037
West Marine is located in the Pink Plaza about 1/2 mile south of Rick's Place on the Bay Side, just past Marvin Adams Waterway Cut. They are open 0800 to 2000 every day, except Sunday, and then from 0900 to 1700.
For more information contact: Dennis Green, Tel 305-522-4944
Social events:
- Plans are being formulated for Friday evening, come and be a part.
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- Sailors fee for the stop over at UKYC, includes a one night membership in the Club.
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- At the end the first day, Steve Lohmeyer will provide the party and food as per tradition, at his home, part of the registration fee will be used to support this party.
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- Awards will be provided by the Islander Watersports shack after racing.
Location:
The Islander ResortMile Marker 82.1
Islamorada Florida,
Contact information:
- Dennis Green
- 305-522-4944
Event recurrance information:
This event does not recur.
Event sharing information:
This is a public event.