What a Pontoon Float party Sunday!  We had sun, fun, drinks, snacks, floating, and if that weren’t enough, mother nature brought us a powerful rainstorm with significant wind and some lightening.  It started as we were headed in, and increased to heavy horizontal rain as we were getting to shelter.  After the rain passed, we made our way over to Lori and Jerry’s for dinner and door prizes. 

There are significant leftovers – brats, some salads and lots of cookies – so we’ve been invited back over after sailing Tuesday night (8/6/19).  There are soft drinks, but otherwise, it’s BYO adult beverages.  Tuesday’s forecast is for temps in the 80s, partly sunny, with a 20% chance of rain, west winds around 7mph.  Race chair is Dave Dunlap on Julie and Andy’s pontoon. 

Next, there has been some discussion about two topics, so for clarification, I’m quoting from the by-laws, 1) Minimum weight:  Hobie class rules state that minimum weight for skipper and crew is 285 lbs.  Therefore to be scored as a 2 person boat, you need to meet this weight requirement, or carry weight.  

(A)           Rules – All races and regattas shall be conducted in accordance with the IYRU, US Sailing and the Hobie Class Association Rules as published by the International Hobie Class Association.  Questions concerning minimum weight and whether a person or persons meet the requirements as prescribed in the Hobie Class Rules will be settled by the use of a Fleet scale calibrated by a known weight.

2)  The start finish line – can you go through it as you sail the course (not starting or finishing) and does it depend on what course is being sailed (upwind vs downwind finish)?  No and no.  Amendment (III) Amendments

(I)              ALCA, by the majority vote of total votes cast, can amend IYRU, US Sailing, and the Hobie Class Association Rules as published by the International Hobie Class Association

(II)            The Barging Buoy is an extension of the Committee Boat

(III)         The Start/Finish line is an obstruction at all times and cannot be crossed unless starting or finishing.

(IV)         Shorten course will be determined by the Committee Boat personnel.  Boats will sail designated course until passing between Committee Boat and Finishing Mark, or between gates as designated.

Hope this clears up any confusion – there’s lots more racing rules that need to be followed on our Tuesday nights, please show up after racing and ask questions.  Rule book summaries have been provided to some of the new sailors in the past few years, good idea if we all review them from time to time!