OIYC SPRING REGATTA — SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Orcas Island Yacht Club — Spring Regatta 2026
Saturday & Sunday, April 4–5, 2026 — West Sound, Orcas Island, WA

1. Rules
These Sailing Instructions (SI) supplement the Notice of Race (NOR) and, where they conflict, take precedence. This event is governed by:
  • The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) as modified herein
  • The J/70 Class Rules
  • This Notice of Race and these Sailing Instructions
[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.

Appendix T (Arbitration) is in effect.
2. Fleet & Scoring
The only fleet racing this event is the J/70 Class. Racing is one-design; there is no handicapping. Boats are scored in finish order under the Low Point Scoring System, Appendix A of the RRS. The J/70 Class Rules apply in full.
3. Changes to Sailing Instructions
Any changes to these Sailing Instructions will be announced by the Race Committee on VHF Channel 68 and posted on the notice board at the OIYC picnic shelter no later than 30 minutes before the first warning signal of the affected race.
4. Communications
The Race Committee will use VHF Channel 68 for all race management communications. Competitors are required to monitor Channel 68 at all times while on the water.

The Race Committee may provide unofficial communication (communication not governed by the rules) at any time by hail or over VHF Channel 68. A request for redress may not be based on any aspect of unofficial communication, including content, timeliness, or failure to hear. This changes RRS 62.1(a).
5. Course Announcements
The windward mark and leeward mark will be temporary tetrahedron or large red mooring ball. The course and the marks of the course for each race will be announced by the Race Committee on VHF Channel 68 prior to the first warning signal for that race. The following course selections may be used. A course discussion identifying possible marks and routes will be had at the Skipper's Meeting on Saturday morning. Other marks on or near West Sound may be used at the discression of the Race Committee.
  • Course #1 Start, windward mark, leeward mark, finish,
  • Course #2 Start, windward mark, leeward mark, windward mark, leeward mark, finish,
  • Course #3 Start, windward mark, start finish line as a gate, windward mark, finish,
  • Course #4 Start, windward mark, start finish line as a gate, windward mark, leeward mark, finish.
6. Racing Area
All racing will take place on West Sound. The Race Committee may move the racing area within West Sound or the immediate vicinity if conditions require. Temporary and permanent race marks may be used, as well as islands, rocks, or navigational buoys for long-distance legs.
7. Starting/Finish Line
The start/finish line is between a staff on the Race Committee vessel and the mark to port. The Race Committee vessel will be at the starboard end of the line. An orange flag will be displayed on the Race Committee vessel during the starting sequence; a blue flag will be displayed to indicate that the finish is open. The Race Committee will announce any change to the line location on VHF Channel 68 before the last leg of each race when practicable.

The start/finish line is not an excluded mark. Boats may cross the line at any time while racing.
8. Sail Numbers
Boats racing with a sail number different from the one provided on their entry form must communicate the corrected sail number to the Race Committee on VHF Channel 68 prior to the first warning signal of the first race of that day.
9. Recalls
Boats that are over the starting line early (OCS) may be hailed by the Race Committee on VHF Channel 68. Failure to receive or hear such a call is not grounds for exoneration. Boats identified as OCS will be scored as such whether or not they receive the hail.

Individual recall (RRS 29.1) will be used. A general recall (RRS 29.2) may be called at the Race Committee’s discretion.
10. Race Duration
The goal is for each race to finish in approximately 45 to 60 minutes. A race in which boats are not making reasonably good progress toward this goal may be abandoned by the Race Committee by announcing the abandonment on VHF Channel 68 and flying the Abandon (N) flag. An abandoned race will not count for scoring. The Race Committee will attempt to re-start the race if time and conditions allow.

A boat that has not finished within 20 minutes of the first boat to finish will be scored Did Not Finish (DNF) without a hearing.

When all boats but one have finished, the Race Committee may score the remaining boat as Finished on Course (FOC), assigning her the next finishing position, and proceed with preparations for the next race. The boat so scored need not cross the finishing line.
11. Penalties on the Water
When a boat believes she may have infringed a rule while racing and has been properly protested on the water, she may exonerate herself by promptly sailing well clear and completing one full 360° turn (including one tack and one jibe). This replaces the Two-Turns Penalty under RRS 44.2.

Spirit of the rule: We want sailing, not hearings. If there is any question about a foul having occurred, please take your turn proactively. The Race Committee strongly encourages competitors to resolve incidents on the water whenever possible.
12. Protests
If a competitor intends to protest another boat, they must:
  1. Display a red flag at the first reasonable opportunity and keep it displayed until finishing.
  2. Inform the Race Committee on VHF Channel 68 of their intent to protest as they cross the finishing line.
  3. Submit a completed protest form to Betsy Wareham at the OIYC shelter within 1 hour of the finish of the last race of the day.
Protest forms will be available from the Race Committee and at the OIYC shelter. Protests not meeting these requirements may be ruled invalid.
13. Scoring & Throw-outs
Series scoring uses the Low Point System (RRS Appendix A). Throw-outs are awarded as follows:
  • Fewer than 5 races completed: no throw-out
  • 5 or more races completed: 1 throw-out
  • 10 or more races completed: 2 throw-outs
The number of races completed for the weekend is the total across both days.
14. Number of Races
The Race Committee intends to sail as many races as conditions and time allow each day. There is no minimum number of races required for the series to be valid. One completed race constitutes a valid regatta.
15. Tiebreaking
Ties in the final series standings will be broken in accordance with RRS Appendix A8.
16. Safety
Boats must meet the U.S. Sailing Safety Equipment Requirements for “Nearshore,” including SER 3.8.3 — each boat must carry a VHF radio. Charts of the racing area are required to be on board.

A boat in distress or witnessing a distress situation should call the Race Committee on VHF Channel 68 and/or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 immediately. Competitors are expected to abandon racing to assist any vessel in distress. A boat that retires from a race to render assistance will not be penalized.
17. Radio & Electronic Devices
Competitors shall not use any radio transmitting equipment (other than VHF Channel 68 for race management communications) or receive voice communications from sources ashore or from other boats while racing, unless used only to receive weather information or to communicate a safety or distress matter. This changes RRS 41.
18. Prizes & Awards
An awards ceremony will be held at the OIYC picnic shelter immediately following the last race on Sunday. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the J/70 class for the combined weekend series. Competitors are encouraged to remain for the ceremony.
19. Disclaimer
Sailing is an activity that has an inherent risk of damage and injury. Competitors participate entirely at their own risk. See RRS 3, Decision to Race. The race organizers (Orcas Island Yacht Club, race committee, and all officials) will not be responsible for damage or injury sustained as a result of participation in this event.

Questions? Contact the Race Committee at the OIYC picnic shelter or on VHF Channel 68.
Protests: Betsy Wareham — OIYC Shelter — within 1 hour of the last race finish.
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