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RYA Club Mark laying Course

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Preparing The Kit

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Preparing The kit

Club Marks and ground tackle.

• There are different systems.

• It is important to have the same system in the same club that all use.

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Tools of the Trade

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Getting The Boats Ready

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On The Water

• Once afloat find and go alongside the Committee boat– Final check with Race Officer (check comms)

• Take and feedback wind readings if required

• Agree course AXIS with the Race Officer– This is the bearing that you will set the course up on

often it is an “average” wind direction– It is needed if you need to calculate any angles

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Positioning the Mark• Angles

– Measured by Hand bearing compass & checked with burgee.

– Based on course AXIS (often the wind bearing)

• Distances – Difficult to judge without GPS– Timed run in rib– By eye of Race Officer– By proximity to other fixed objects where distance can

be measured– By bearing to other objects.

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Laying the Marks

• Two Main methods

– Dropping (generally course marks)

– Streaming (generally start line, pin end)

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Dropping Marks

• Make sure enough line for depth

• Windward marks –agree “course AXIS” before dropping

• Drop upwind / uptide to drift into position

• Over the windward side

• Anchor first, line run through hands (end secure!)

• Allow for tide rise & wave height

• Laying upwind is easier to adjust downwind

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Streaming Marks

• Need to know depth• Need to know start line length • Go Downwind stream mark hold anchor• Motor ahead getting slower• Drop signal from Race Officer ?• Let mark settle • Adjustment only easy downwind.

– Committee Boat drops back!

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When streaming watch the warp & prop!

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Moving Marks

• Marks should generally not be moved if sailors are on the leg of the course.

• Definite confirmation and the RO’s permission of a move should be sought beforehand

• Dragging the marks only works for very short distances. Accuracy very difficult to judge!

• Lifting and resetting is often the better option if you have time

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End of Racing

• Tidy and store marks as they are lifted– Ready to go for the next day

– Ready for the next person

• Refuel and set boat for next day

• Meet up and have informal debrief with Race Officer

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Any Q

Any Q ?