Races will be governed by, the International Sailing Federation, Racing Rules of Sailing 2009 - 2012 when appropriate (RRS), The Equipment Rules of Sailing 2009 - 2012 when appropriate (ERS), The Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessels Safety) Regulations 2007 (as amended) - Category C and D were appropriate for racing on Table Bay and surrounds, the Class Rules of participating classes and the IRC 2009 Rules Parts 1, 2 & 3 (IRC Classes). The Club's Notice of Race (1st July 2009), or any specific Notice of Race issued for a particular Event, the Sailing Programme as issued, which may be amended from time to time, and these Sailing Instructions (dated 1st July 2009) and any amendments thereof as posted on the Notice Board. In the event of contradictions, the interpretations of the Protest Committee shall be final and binding upon all participants
Changes to the Rules:

1. RRS: Race Signals: by SI 5. (Change of course)
2. RRS 35 by SI 12. (Race time limits)
3. IRC Class Rules 27.4.3 and 27.4.4 by SI 13.1 (Crew limits)
4. RRS 61.3 by SI 15.2 (Protest time limits)
5. RRS A2 by SI 16 (Scoring)

Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in the RCYC foyer.

Any change of Sailing Instructions will be posted not later than 90mins before the scheduled start of the race applicable.

The schedule of Races is set out in the Sailing Programme. Specific Events, for which separate Notice of Race and/or Sailing Instructions have been issued, may have different starting times.

In addition to the methods of shortening course in the RRS, a race may be shortened by the hoisting of an "S" over "C" flags, accompanied by repeated sound signals aboard a boat stationed near a rounding mark of the course. In that event boats shall round this mark and proceed directly to the finish line, finishing in the direction of the course from the last mark rounded. Races may also be shortened by an announcement on VHF channel 06, and the flying of the "S" flag at the Bridge Hut with the appropriate sound signal.

Class flags for Club racing will be:

The course may be indicated up to 60mins before the scheduled start of a race, on the Notice Board or on a Course Card and/or announced on VHF Channel 06 up to the warning signal of any race.

See paragraph 6 of the Notice of Race.

1. Races will be started by using Rule 26.
2. The starting line will be:
   1. Start at the RCYC Hut: A line between the Start Hut and No 10 buoy. An orange buoy may be laid as an inner limit mark approximately 20m off the wall in the vicinity of the start line, which is a Mark of the Course for boats starting and defines one end of the Start line for the purposes of RRS 30.1 (Round-an-End Rule).
   2. Committee boat: A line between the flagstaff/mast displaying a RCYC Burgee, and a nearby permanent mark, inflatable mark, or small buoy.
3. Any yachts starting later than 5 minutes after her starting signal may be scored Did Not Start (DNS)
4. Boats whose warning signal has not been made, shall keep clear of the starting area.

The finish line will be:

1. RCYC Hut: A line between the flagstaff at the RCYC Start Hut and No. 10 Harbour Mark or.
2. in the case of Twilight racing the line between the flagstaff at the RCYC Start Hut and a temporary laid yellow inflatable mark laid about 150 metres from the Harbour Wall, approximately on the transit line between the Bridge Hut and Number 10 Harbour Mark. Use of this buoy will be indicated by the flying of the "L flag" over the "M flag" under the "RCYC Burgee" on the Bridge Hut.
3. It is possible that when finishing the Bridge Team may not see or record your finish (due to fog, poor light, or time limit having expired). In this case you can cross the finish line and take your own time, report it to the Bridge Hut on VHF Chnl 06 and other competitors still sailing. This time must also be handed in at the Sailing Office. You may be required to substantiate this with a GPS reading.

Rule 44.1 and 44.2 is changed to substitute: one turn, including one tack and one gybe, instead of two turns.

Boats shall finish within the time limit, failing which they will be scored DNF. The time limit is 0.4 x E, after the finish of the leading boat of each start, where E is the elapsed time of the first boat to finish. In All Class races, the time limit will be calculated on the time of the leading boat with an IRC TCC of less than 1.050 or a Club Handicap TCF of less than 1.12. If in the opinion of the Race Officer the leading yacht in any race has not maintained or is not likely to attain an average speed of 2 knots, the race may be abandoned.

IRC: The maximum total weight of crew in kilograms that may sail aboard a boat shall not exceed the product of the crew number printed on her certificate multiplied by 90.
Club Handicap: Maximum total number of crew that may sail aboard a boat shall not exceed the following (expressed in number of crew per maximum length overall:

The following special instructions only apply to Twilight racing:

1. Boats shall enter on the Entry Form Notice Board for each race. Entries may be accepted by telephone at the RCYC Bridge Hut Tel: 021-421-7959 or by VHF Channel 06 but no later than 17h30.
2. Boats shall notify their intention to enter a Spinnaker Class before the warning signal of a race or on the Entry Form on the Notice Board.
3. Club Handicap Non Spinnaker: Only one foresail (a sail fitted to a forestay track or hanked to a forestay) may be set. A jib may not be used as a spinnaker. This prohibits the use of "Code Zero" sails. A spinnaker pole may only be used for "goose winging".
4. Crew limits: Club Handicap Class boats may have up to two additional crew-members on board, provided there are sufficient life-jackets aboard for the whole crew.
5. Twilight Races may be scored as a series. IRC results are shown for interest only.

Protest forms are available at the Sailing Office. Protests shall be submitted within the protest time limit.
The protest time for each class, is 90 minutes after the last boat of each class, has finished the last race of the day.
Notices will be posted within 30 minutes of the protest time limit to inform competitors of hearings in which they are parties or named as witnesses.
Notices of protests by the race committee will be conveyed, or posted, to inform boats under rule 61.1(b).
For the purpose of rule 64.3(b) the 'authority responsible' is a measurer appointed by the organizing authority or if not appointed, a Measurer appointed by the Protest Committee.

The Low Point scoring system of Appendix A4 will apply.
When three races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores. When four or more races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding one worst score.
Double points may be awarded for a long distance race of a Series. Half of the points of the long distance race may be used as the discard, provided 3 other races have been sailed.
Boats without or with illegible Sail Numbers will not be scored.
Any One Design Class having more than 5 entries, may record Class results as well

A boat that retires from a race shall notify the race committee as soon as possible on VHF Channel 06.

Between the hours of sunset and sunrise, the rules of Part 2 of the RRS will cease to govern, and the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea will apply.

Double handed races: Only two people shall be on board during the race. Radar, GPS, spinnakers and self-steering gear may be used.
Single handed races: Two people must be on board during the race, the second person may not assist in any way (other than sitting out), and a boat shall retire if the second person in any way contravenes this rule. Radar, GPS, spinnakers and self-steering gear may be used.

Competitors participate in the races entirely at their own risk. See RRS Rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the racing. The Club Indemnity form shall be completed and kept on file in the Sailing Office each season. Failure to lodge the said form will result in a competitor not being scored until having so done.
Additional Indemnities may be required for specific events

Each participating boat shall be insured with valid third-party liability insurance with a minimum cover of R2,000,000.00. The Sailing Office may require of copy of the certificate.

All events are "Category C" in terms of ISAF Regulation 20 unless otherwise stated.