RACING GENERAL INFORMATION...

       Directions to the CCYC

Mailing Address:
601 W. Montrose Drive
Chicago, IL 60613
phone (773) 334-9100
Info Hotline (773) 395-5306

 

• This information is provided as a service to facilitate racing in the Lake Michigan Area. 
• What is Area III?  As far as sailboat racing goes in Lake Michigan, this area is divided up into FIVE regions.  Area III, is the area that includes the Chicago land region.

• I   The waters of Green Bay
• II  Manitowoc to Kenosha, WI
• III Waukegan, IL to New Buffalo, MI
• IV St. Joseph to Point Betsie, MI
• V  Point Betsie to Mackinac Island

  Of course as a member of the CCYC Offshore Fleet you can pick and choose to race in any and or all of our CCYC hosted races

LMPHRF APPLICATION (Printable .gif file)Page1

LPHRF APPLICATION (Printable .gif file)Page2 

LMPHRF Instructions (Printable .gif file)Page3  

LMPHRF Instructions (Printable .gif file)Page4   

A Rating Certificate. 

Memberships (What do you need to Join)

Safety Requirements (a synopsis)

Registration

Radio Communications

1999 CCYC Race Schedule (Includes A-III events) 

1999 Area III Schedule 

Here's How:
First of all, decide - where you want to race. Why?, because every Organizer of a race or regatta sets the entry requirements and conditions of  the race. Some are more strict than others in what you’ll need to enter their race. In all cases, some type of Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions for the race are printed or will be printed. So find out who is organizing the race and ask for the Notice of Race or "S.I’s" (Sailing Instructions). Then read them over very carefully. They will give the requirements that must be met to participate in the race as well as give a lot of other information about the race; start times,course,etc..

HERE ARE SOME COMMON REQUIREMENTS...
Sail Numbers: Every boat needs a sail number on both sides of its mainsail, its spinnakers, and on jibs that overlap the main’s foot by 30% or more. It is preferable that the number is unique and is registered in the US SAILING national data base to avoid duplicate and arbitrary numbers that may have been affixed by the manufacturer or sailmaker.  If numbers are already on the sails, its O.K. The Race Committees can handle that even if a duplicate number exists in the same race but if you need or want a unique sail number, contact the Offshore Office of US SAILING, P.O. Box 1260, Portsmouth, RI 02871; 401—683—0800 and you will be assigned one within 24 hrs.

A Rating Certificate .
Boats sail at different speeds due to many factors other than the wind. Rating systems try to equalize these differences so that the crew and skipper’s performance become the primary factor for winning. There are currently two major rating systems that are currently popular. PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) and IMS (International Measurement System). The PHRF system is regionally administered and is based upon a known history o{that type 6f boat’s performance. It normally does not require a boat to be measured. The IMS System is based upon wind formulas and a very precise measurement of the boat by a measurer. So it costs more for the accuracy.
To apply for a PRRF Certificate application, contact:

LMPHRF
ll35 Maricopa Drive
Oshkosh, WI 54904
Voice: 920-426-5540 Fax 920-426-3043
Web address : http:\\www.lmphrf.org

To apply for an IMS Certificate, Contact:
US SAILING
Offshore Office
P.O. Box 1260
Portsmouth, RI 02871-6015
401-683-0800 Fax 401-683-0840
Web address : http://www.ussailing.org/

Some race Organizers may allow you to enter their race without a current certificate. (Here at CCYC, the Race Committeewill assign a club "PHRF" rating for your boat that is based on the published U.S. Sailing PHRF database).  In those cases, they may assign a rating for your boat which is often less favorable than what would be on a current certificate so its better to have a valid and current rating.
Basic Racing Rules Knowledge — Although it may not be specified in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions other than the fact the race is being run under them, it is expected that if you enter the race as a participant that you will have a basic knowledge of the Racing Rules. Where do you get this knowledge? By having your own copy of the rule book, or attending seminars on the rules. By becoming a member of US SAILING, you automatically are sent a copy of the rule book and for some races and regattas, US SAILING membership is required to enter. There are also sessions on the Rules that can be attended by the public presented by the local Yacht Clubs and the Lake Michigan Sail - Racing Federation. In any case, for your own safety and the safety of others, know the fundamental racing rules!
  Memberships — Requirements will vary with the Organizer of the race. US SAILING membership is required most often. Membership in the LMSRF area sailing association is required of races under the auspices of LMSRF in the Chicago area. Some races may also require that you belong to a Yacht Club or a recognized sailing association or community sailing club. To join US SAILING;
US SAILING
P.O. Box 1260
Portsmouth, RI 02871-6015
401-683-0800 Fax 401-683-0840
Safety Requirements 

Here again, depending on where you are racing and how far you are going, the required safety equipment Will be specified by the Race Organizer. If the race is close to shore the only requirements may be what is required by the Coast Guard for your size of boat. Or, if the race is several miles offshore, or is going port to port, the Race Organizer may require that the minimum equipment fit a Category 4 or 3 of what is known as the "ORC Regulations". These safety regulations are in a booklet published by US SAILING for the International Offshore Racing Council, titled "Recommendations for Offshore Sailing including ORC Regulations". This is quite detailed and technical and covers  structural  features,  boat  equipment and personnel equipment that must be on board to meet each Category requirement.  The Chicago Mackinac Race for example, is a Category 2 race which means:
 "Races of extended duration along or not far removed from shorelines or in large unprotected bays or lakes, where a high degree of self-sufficiency is required of the yachts".
Category 2 & 3 for example, require the carrying of a life raft and in some of the long distance races such as the across the lake Queens Cup and Chicago to St. Joseph races, a raft is a requirement, along with such things as flares, man overboard lights and other safety items specified for that Category.  The Race Organizer can make exceptions to these Regulations and will state it in their Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions but if you are going to sail or race anywhere offshore in Lake Michigan, you should have a current copy of the Offshore Regulations for your own safety and the safety of others on board your vessel. They are updated every 2 years so if you borrow a copy, make sure its current.

Flags & Pennants - The Race Committee Signal boat will use flags or colored shapes to indicate warning, preparatory and starts as well as other communications such as "over the line early". These procedures are outline4 in the Racing Rules book and will also be a part of the race Sailing Instructions. You need to know these signals so that you are not confused before your start. There also may be a requirement that your boat must fly a particular pennant off of your backstay to identify that you intend to race and what section of the group you are going to start and be scored against. These pennants are usually one of the numerical International Code Flags which can be purchased at a local marine store or they may be a special pennant that would be given to you during the registration process for the Regatta.

Registration

Sail Number Boards, Port-to-port races will usually require that you have your sail numbers displayed on a reflective banner that can be attached to one side of your lifelines to make it easier for the RC to identify your boat at night and at crowded finishes. Any sailmaker can make it or you can make your own to the requirements.

Radio Communications 

You must have a two-way radio aboard your boat capable of receiving and transmitting on the marine public airways frequencies. Race Committees of many of the race Organizers will indicate in their Sailing Instructions on what frequency the Race Committee can be contacted for safety reasons, for filing protests, or many may be broadcasting "Courtesy Announcements" to the racers about the course, starting sequence, count downs, etc.

Race Results - Of course if you race, you will want to know how you did! One of the responsibilities of the Race Committee is to compute and post the results on their "Official Notice Board". That is normally located at the facility of the Race Organizer. If this is not convenient for you, many of the Organizers will also have a telephone race results "Hot Line" or will post the race results on the Internet. Again, the Sailing Instructions or a phone call to the Organizer will get you the answer.

If you need more details on racing....Contact:
 

Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation Don Glasell 1663 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 276-2333 Fax (773) 278-3131 e-mail: Don Glasell at The Captains Emporium
US SAILING P.O. Box 1260 Portsmouth, RI 02871-6015 401-683-0800 Fax 401-683-0840
Benjamin White Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club Offshore Fleet Captain (773) 529-0390 e-mail: Ben White at CCYC

For information etc., contact  your Offshore Fleet Captain, Ben White by sending e-mail to:  mailto:ccyc@interaccess.com?subject=Offshore Web Site