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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

BARUSCH QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Send your questions regarding the Barusch / Castagna Regatta to Racemaster /
Webmaster, David Weimer (cdweimer@sbcglobal.net). We'll respond to you, and publish
the questions and answers appropriate to all contestants.

1.     Q: Why doesn't SDCA have handicap factors based on speed for their boats?

A: Our boat speeds have a narrow range from 7kn. to 9 kn. so we've never felt it necessary
to establish a handicap system to differentiate boats of varying speeds.

2.      Q: Why are we going to assign finish times to each boat depending upon baseline
speed?

A: We've found that assigning finish times so that start times are at roughly 4 minutes apart
depending upon the baseline speed prevents start interferences, passing on the course, and
finish line congestion. This provides each contestant a clear path to pilot their boat.

3.      Q: Why does the course begin within the bay and finish with legs in the ocean
adjacent to the bay? It seems a reverse course would avoid the sea breeze that comes up
around noon.

A: On most summer Saturdays the bay becomes crowded with all manner of craft including
sailboats, kayaks, fishing boats, pleasure cruisers, cruise ships, and naval craft with their
associated security escorts. An early start in the bay avoids many of these obstacles to
precise piloting.

4.      Q: Are there going to be any special rules regarding security zones around Naval
Vessels?

A: The current SDCA Rules, as modified for the Barusch / Castagna Regatta, will govern our
response to Naval Security Issues. In general, we must not intrude into Naval Security
Zones during the contest, and if we encounter Naval vessels underway, we must give them
at least a 300 Yd. clearance. The channel is approximately 260 Yds. wide, so when
encountering naval ships under way, we must move outside the boundaries of the channel
to be compliant. However, we must always heed the instructions of the security patrol, and
if necessary, call a "safety time out" on the course to enable the ships to pass.

5.      Q: Is it permissible for the contestant to ask the boat owner to pilot the boat during
the contest in addition to departing and arriving at the designated berth?
A: Yes. If the boat owner is agreeable, he/she may pilot the boat during the contest.
However, the contestant must provide all piloting instructions including boat RPM, compass
headings and corrections, and turn angles / times.

6.      Q: Are there any documented sources for ocean currents in the near off shore region
adjacent to San Diego?

A: An experimental real time display of ocean surface currents measured by multiple
surface radar sites can be found at: www.sdcoos.ucsd.edu. Current measurements and
direction are measured and recorded at hourly intervals.

7.       Q: Plotting the course as direct between Check Points and Route Points sometimes
infringes upon designated "restricted areas." Is this the intent of the official planned
course?

A: No. When a direct course between Check Points and Route Points transverses a
"restricted" area (or worst case, a point of land), you are to plan a course to avoid these
obstacles (without any significant deviation to the overall course direction). Also, the
Contestant is expected to plan a course, unless designated as "direct," to avoid the potential
courses of other contestants who may have started earlier or later, as well as the expected
flow of normal bay traffic within the entrance channel. A "direct" course is only mandatory
when the race instructions specifically state "direct."

8.        Q: Has the "measured mile" along Harbor Island been verified, and are contestants
required to use it for boat calibration?

A: The measured mile along Harbor Island has been calibrated between the Eastern mile
markers and the Western mile markers. However, the mid mile markers (1/2 mile) are not
quite aligned with a perpendicular to the East / West heading. Caution should be used when
using the mid mile markers. Contestants are not required to use the measured mile or any
specific chart feature for boat calibration. Other methods of ascertaining boat speed at
specified RPMs, such as GPS measurements, can be used depending upon the desires of the
Skipper.

9.        Q: Is it permissible for either the Skipper or his/her Navigator/crew member to time
the Blind Point runs, in lieu of the Observer?

A: Yes. However, the stopwatch shall be only available during the timed run to the blind
points, and shall be set to "zero" preceding and following the blind point timing task. The
Observer shall record as part of the record, the time at the beginning and the end of the
blind point run.

10.        Q: If the boat owner or his/her representative decides for safety reasons to take
control of the boat, what happens next?

A: As noted in the "Special Rules" this action consists of an automatic safety time-out for
the Contestant. If the safety issue can be resolved to the satisfaction of the Contestant and
the owner / representative within a reasonable time (30 minutes or less), the Contestant
may, at his/her command, continue the contest at the location of the time out. All
particulars shall be recorded by the Observer as part of the Observer's Log.