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| NAI QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
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Send your questions regarding the NORTH AMERICAN INVITATIONAL 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 3 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 that an ocean transit before the bay portion would avoid the
afternoon sea breezes and accompanying chop.
A: On most 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 NAI 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 a 300 Yd. clearance, whenever possible. The channel is approximately 260 Yds.
wide, so when encountering naval ships under way in the channel, we must move
outside the boundaries of the channel to provide a safe clearance. However, we must
always heed the instructions of the NAVY 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 near real time display of ocean surface currents measured by multiple
radar sites can be found at: www.sdcoos.ucsd.edu. Current measurements and
direction are measured and recorded at hourly intervals.
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 3 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 that an ocean transit before the bay portion would avoid the
afternoon sea breezes and accompanying chop.
A: On most 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 NAI 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 a 300 Yd. clearance, whenever possible. The channel is approximately 260 Yds.
wide, so when encountering naval ships under way in the channel, we must move
outside the boundaries of the channel to provide a safe clearance. However, we must
always heed the instructions of the NAVY 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 near real time display of ocean surface currents measured by multiple
radar sites can be found at: www.sdcoos.ucsd.edu. Current measurements and
direction are measured and recorded at hourly intervals.