Peter Baldwin

Yes in both cases assuming that it is a Windward start and finish. Key is the direction to the first mark for the start and the last mark for the finish. It is the side closest to the first mark for the start and the last mark for the finish.

Andrew RRS E2.6(b) is the rule which states that the line is sighted on the course side of the marks. So for the start, the sighting line is your diagram C always assuming that the start is set for a Windward leg, which would normally be the most appropriate. For the finish the course side of the finishing marks would be your diagram B if the finish line were to be on a Windward leg. Effectively, the course side of the marks is the side which is closest to a) The first mark that is being sailed to for the start and b) The last mark sailed FROM to the finish. The start line should be approximately tangential (i.e. at right angles) from its centre to the first mark, although that may need adjusting due to wind strength variations along the line or sailors perception of where to start. The finish line should similarly be tangential to the last mark (or centre of the gate) so that there is approximately equal distance to each end rather than one end being favoured. Hope this helps. Peter Baldwin ND Councillor & RYA NRO

Richard The main difference is that the boat is now supplied with a digital winch rather than Analogue. The stand has been slightly amended too. No difference on hull.

A good number of boats in this situation will tack onto starboard (even if you are almost alongside them) as they think that this gives them "carte-blanche" to do so and make the port tack boat avoid them. Often shouting "Tacking" or "Tacking onto Starboard" to emphasise the point that they have given time for the port boat to respond by doing so. Making such a call does not however, in my opinion, change the obligations of the boat tacking onto starboard to allow the port boat to take avoiding action, but I guess it makes them feel better. I'm sure that if they were in a wooden dinghy contemplating such a manoeuvre, they might think twice about whether the port tack boat was likely to avoid them (and thus end up with a hole in their side from the bow of the port boat)!

At Birkenhead, we have a paid for Wordpress website and I am using the "Events Made Easy" Plug-In for members or visitors to enter a race on any race day. You can also set it up for users to cancel a booking as well. This gives everyone an idea how many are sailing on a specific day. It does however need every race day you use it to have an event and a webpage created to allow the entries to be made. Probably at least half a days work for the webmaster to populate them for 6 months using copy and paste for the page info and them amend each one to link to the event ID. Alternatively you could use a WhatsApp message between members as that relatively quickly shows how many might be sailing if you check for interested parties just a couple of days prior to the sailing. With WhatsApp on the PC, it is easier to type messages and can also circulate results around the group as a message or an image. Have a look at the Birkenhead website birkenheadrspc.co.uk and click on one of the "Upcoming Events" links. Normally there are up to 8 forthcoming events in the links, but just in the process of setting up the Summer events at the moment. Peter Baldwin

There is a system called buoybot from Andrew Wilson based in Queensland, Australia that can set a course using RC controlled and powered marks with GPS holding capability - see the attached file giving more details. Not aware of anything else with a UK or European source. Buoybot - an affordable fit for purpose anchorless solution for RC sailing Dec 2022.pdf

Delrin is a Dupont Trademarked engineering thermoplastic (it is a form of Acetal) used in precision parts requiring high stiffness, low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. I don't believe it contains any additional (IOM non-compliant) compounds to provide its strength and wear resistance. see https://www.dupont.com/brands/delrin.html

I think that it was in the post race press conference about the on the water umpires had the necessary GPS enabled tools to decide on whether it was a penalty or not. I would expect both Umpires (I think that there is an Umpire boat typically following each contender) to have communicated and both agreed prior to the "No Penalty" announcement being made.

It is available in the US from several places such as MPI https://www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-15.html Price is $130 plus shipping ($8). You may well get charged import VAT duty and a PO handling fee (£8) that could well total about £30