The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the current version of the The Racing Rules of Sailing . Any changes to the rules made by the sailing instructions will not require prior knowledge by the competitors.
Eligibility and Entry
Portsmouth Rating rules apply. The RTI race is open to multihulls from 16 feet and up in length and the mast size not exceeding 48 feet.
Schedule of Events
Preregistration via mail received no later than Wednesday, September 14th. Forms available at www.fwyc.org or by calling 850-243-7102. Registration Friday, September 16 from 1400 hrs – 1800 hrs followed by Skipper’s Meeting 1900 hrs. Starting Sequence will begin 0700 hrs on Saturday, September 17th.
Fees
$30.00 plus $15.00 per person for USAA members. $35.00 plus $15.00 per person for non-USAA members. Late Fee of $10.00 for registration received after September 14th.
Sailing Instructions
The sailing instructions will be available at registration and on the Fort Walton Yacht Club website www.fwyc.org.
Regatta Site
The regatta headquarters will be Fort Walton Yacht Club, Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Racing Area
The racing area will be located on the waters of Choctawhatchee Bay, Gulf of Mexico, and Santa Rosa Sound.
Courses
The courses will be described in the sailing instructions.
Scoring
The Portsmouth Scoring System to be used.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded after the completion of the race on Sunday, September 18th time TBA.
1 The race will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
2 All class rules apply where applicable. Boats not belonging to a class or without class rules will be handicapped by The USSA Portsmouth Ratings including applicable modification factors. PHRF corrections may be applied to specific fleets as detailed at the Skipper’s meeting. Only Portsmouth rated boats will be eligible for the overall corrected time trophy.
· Teams will declare the number and types of headsails and any modifications they will race with at time of registration. Ratings will be determined by the Race Committee using USSA guidelines and will be final.
3 Registration will be conducted for those not preregistered at the Fort Walton Yacht Club on Friday, September 16, 2005 between the hours of 1400 and 1800. Preregistration may be accomplished by contacting the Fort Walton Yacht Club at 850-243-7102 or at the club website www.fwyc.org. All preregistered entries must be mailed to the Fort Walton Yacht Club and received no later than Wednesday September 14, 2005.
· Class breakdowns, starting line designations, and handicap ratings will be posted at the Skipper’s meeting which will be held on Friday, September 16, 2005 @ 1900.
RTI Race Secrets Seminar will be conducted by Brian Lambert and Randy Smyth @ 1800.
· Boat setup will be on Friday at the Fort Walton Yacht Club or Leeside Park and check in will be at the Yacht Club between 1400 and 1800.
· The RTI race is open to multihulls from 16 feet in length and up with a vertical height of less than 48 feet to safely clear all bridges.
· The Race Committee reserves the right to refuse entry to those who are in the opinion of the organizers, lack the necessary skills or do not possess a seaworthy boat. Design, condition and crew experience are the primary factors. The final decision to participate lies with the skipper/captain of each entrant.
· Advertising and sponsorship are encouraged and permitted.
4 The starting sequence will begin at 0700 on Saturday, September 17, 2005 with all classes starting at one time. The starting line will be approximately one half mile north of red nun #8. The committee boat will be positioned midway between two tetrahedrons identifying the two separate starting lines. Class A boats and Trimarans will start between the starboard tetrahedron and the committee boat. Class AA boats will start between the committee boat and the port tetrahedron.
5 The race course to be sailed will be Course 1 (thru the Gulf of Mexico) or in the event of inclement weather Course 2 (thru the Intercoastal Waterway).
· Course 1: Start and proceed to FLG 17 to starboard, FLG 13 to starboard, the Destin Sea Buoy RW “CB” Mo. (A) to starboard and proceed Westward in the Gulf of Mexico, enter the Pass at Pensacola and return to finish via the Intercoastal Waterway.
Course 2: Start and proceed to FLG 61 to port (approximately 2 miles north of the start line). Round this marker and proceed West in the Intercoastal Waterway passing under 3 bridges and round FLG 145 to port (Pensacola Bay). Return East via the Intercoastal Waterway to the finish line in Choctawhatchee Bay. A Change of Course flag (horizontal blue, white, red and blue stripes) will be flown from the Committee boat to denote that Course 2 is being used.
The finish line will be located approximately half mile East of Brooks Bridge in Fort Walton Beach. The Race Committee will be stationed on the Deck Hands Marina pier. The finish line will be between the orange flag at the end of the dock and a tetrahedron approximately 50 yards North of the dock.
6 Time Limit: Any team not inside the Pensacola Pass by 1900 must withdraw from the race and notify the Race Committee at 850-243-7102. Any teams withdrawing from the RTI Race for any reason at any time must notify the Race Committee at the above number immediately.
7 Time allowances will be awarded for any competitor rendering assistance under Fundamental Rule 1.1. Teams may fend off or advance their boats (motors included) to safely navigate all bridges.
8 All protests must be filed with the Race Committee on station at the finish line within one hour of your finish time.
9 Alternate penalty: The 720 rule is in effect.
10. All electronic navigation aids are permitted with the exception of self steering devices. As a minimum, each entry will have at least a VHF Radio or cell phone with sufficient battery power to last the duration of the race. Failure to meet this requirement may be grounds for disqualification.
11. Additional information pertaining to the conduct of the RTI Race will be posted on the official notice board at the Fort Walton Yacht Club.
