John's RC Sailing Rules and Tactics
These articles are written for beginner to intermediate RC Yacht Racing Sailors yet may be a good refresher for those with more experience. They have been updated to reflect the Racing Rules of Sailing (the RRS) 2021 - 2024 that came into effect Jan 1, 2021.
A quick summary of the major changes in the RRS 2021-2024 may be found - here
The articles are organised into a series of chapters that begin with some basics, and then lead you around the race course from the Start, to the Weather Mark, the Downwind Gate, and the Finish. The Hailing article covers various rules around the Race Course. There are a couple of Bonus items that discuss issues like the difference between Proper Course, Mark Room and Right of Way(ROW); what happens in a Protest Hearing; and to avoid a protest hearing, how to take a Penalty Turn.
The Appendix contains short topics, usually based on answers to questions that have appeared in various forums plus info on the free software to create diagrams like the ones used in these articles.
Radio Sailing under the RRS 2021 - 2024
Chapter 1: The Definitions - For beginners – Racing 101 – Some sailing terms explained
Chapter 1 - bonus - Simplified racing rules for beginners
Chapter 2: Starts How to get a better start
Chapter 3: Rule 18 and the Weather Mark How to gain (or not lose) places at a busy mark rounding
Chapter 3 - bonus Weather Mark - the 'dreaded' Marks to Stbd
Chapter 4: Hailing and other rules around the race course
Chapter 5: Rule 18 and the Downwind Gate Go left or go right?
Chapter 5-bonus: Tactical Roundings and Proper Course at a Downwind Mark
Chapter 6: The Finish Getting to the line, and after - your race is not over yet
Chapter 7: The Protest When and how to protest, and what happens in the hearing
Chapter 7-bonus Third Party Protests and Racing with Observers
Chapter 8: Proper Course Proper Course vs Right of Way vs Mark Room
Chapter 9: The Penalty Turn- a look at when and how to take a penalty
Appendix - a collection of short items
A. How to create diagrams - for adding questions to the RRS forum
B. Mark Room and Depth Perception - When things go wrong!
C. When is 'Tacking too close' too close?
We have a discussion forum for the RRS on RC Groups Sailing forum. If you have any questions about the racing rules, please click in this link RC GROUPS sailing forum to post them so everyone may participate in the discussion. Remember to jump to LAST page.