ROUND ORCAS

Orcas Island Yacht Club is pleased to invite you to the annual race around Orcas Island on Saturday, June 20st, 2026. Held on the longest Saturday of the year, the race presents intriguing navigational challenges set against the splendid scenic beauty of the largest island in the San Juans.

1. Rules

• 1.1 The regatta will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing (2025–2028), the prescriptions of the U.S. Sailing Association, and the Class Rules of One-Design classes, except as changed by this Notice of Race and by the Sailing Instructions.
• 1.2 All boats must have a valid 2026 PHRF certificate or be listed on the current PHRF-NW roster. RRS Appendix T and Rule V1 in Appendix V will apply.
• 1.3 RRS 52, Manual Power, is amended to include: Boats registered as shorthanded (single- or double-handed) are allowed to use autopilot mechanisms for sail changes and other situations where having one crew member assigned to steering the yacht may compromise the safety of crew and craft.
• 1.4 A boat rated by her handicap class in consideration of water ballast may use water ballast as rated. This changes RRS 51.
• 1.5 [DP] RRS 40.1 applies. Each competitor shall wear a personal flotation device at all times while racing, except briefly while changing or adjusting clothing or personal equipment.
  

2. Fleets

• 2.1 We are planning on at least two fleets, a PHRF mono hull fleet and a PHRF multi hull fleet. If more than eight boats enter in a fleet then that fleet may be divided into two divisions.

3. Course

• 3.1 One vote by email/survey per boat will be counted for counterclockwise (CCW) or clockwise (CW). Each registered skipper will be sent an email on the evening of Monday, June 16th and the voting window will close on Thursday, June 19th at 1800. The popular vote will decide the course and the decision will be posted to the event site and an email sent to each registered skipper by 2000 on Friday.
  
  3.2 If the counterclockwise (CCW) course is selected then competitors will leave Orcas Island to port.
       3.2.1 If the shortened course is announced - before the start by the race committee - then round South Pee Pod Rock to  port and return to West Sound to finish. The distance for scoring will use 19.5 NM.
  
  3.3. If the clockwise (CW) course is selected then competitors will leave the Orcas Island to starboard.
       3.3.1 If the shortened course is announced - before the start by the race committee - then round Flat Top Island to port and return to West Sound to finish.  The distance for scoring will be 15.1 NM.
  

3.4 Both courses will finish by sailing into West Sound through the finish line between the OIYC dock and a race mark set to the south of the dock, keeping the race mark to port.

4. Schedule

• 4.1 The starting sequence will commence no earlier than 0730 and when the starting area is clear of ferry traffic. Note that a ferry is scheduled to depart Orcas at 0705 and depart at 0725. Start time may be influenced by the ferry.
  
• 4.2 The time limit will be 1930 to complete the halfway or full course.

5. Social/Moorage

• 5.1 After the finish there will be a gathering at the OIYC picnic shelter at the north end of West Sound to eat, drink, and tell stories, at the end of the day. This is a BYOB. We will provide the food.
  

6. Registration

• 6.1 The entry fee is $50.00 and advance registration is required. Only those skippers registered by Sunday, June 14th at 1800 will be invited to vote on the course direction. Registration will close Friday June 19th at 10:00pm.

7. Scoring

• 7.1 There will be overall scoring for all boats.
  7.2 The race will be scored on time distance with a total distance of 31.5nm for the CCW course and 32nm for the CW course. If the shortened course option is called then the CCW distance is 19.5 NM and the CW course is 15.1 NM.
  7.3 Full course finishers will be scored in the order of their corrected time.
  

8. Awards

• 8.1 Awards will be provided for first, second and third in each class and for fastest overall finisher. The awards ceremony will be held at the picnic shelter following the race.

9. Safety

• 9.1 Boats shall sail with US Sailing Safety Equipment Requirements (SER) "Nearshore" safety equipment. Each boat must have a VHF and charts of the area around Orcas Island.

10. Liability

• 10.1 Sailing is an activity that has an inherent risk of damage and injury. Competitors in this event are participating entirely at their own risk. See RRS 3, Decision to Race. The race organizers (Orcas Island Yacht Club, organizing authority, race committee, protest committee, sponsors, OIYC Board member, or any other organization or official) will not be responsible for damage to any boat or other property or the injury to any competitor, including death, sustained as a result of participation in this event. By participating in this event, each competitor agrees to release the race organizers from any and all liability associated with such competitor's participation in this event to the fullest extent permitted by law.

11. Insurance

• 11.1 The owner must have third-party liability insurance for their boat, applicable for sailboat racing, having a minimum coverage of $500,000.
• 11.2 If the owner is not on board, the policy must be valid for a non-owner person in charge or the competitor must secure event insurance.

12. Clean Regatta

Our clean regatta goals are:

• Less waste: Reducing our reliance on landfill is one of our primary goals. We'll reject unnecessary waste, replace disposable options with eco-friendly alternatives, reuse items instead of creating new ones each year, and recycle or compost much of what would otherwise end up in a landfill.
• No discharge: None of us want to see rubbish floating in our oceans or washed up on our shores. Nor do we want the health of our marine ecosystems to suffer the effects of waste discharge from vessels. We have a no-discharge rule for all competitors to ensure we do not contribute to pollution in the San Juan Islands.
• Emissions reduction: We're exploring ways we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, by minimizing vehicular travel and utilizing more efficient and less polluting options where possible.
• Locally sourced: Not only will we minimize our carbon footprint, but we'll also support our local community by prioritizing local suppliers of the products and services we need.
• Education & engagement: The more people on board with our sustainability goals, the better. We aim to spread the word about our sustainability efforts, educate people about how they can help, and facilitate positive environmental change from everyone involved with our events, so we can all work together towards a sustainable future.

Contact information: fleetcaptainsail@oiyc.org