Remote Control Model Boat Racing

Sailing Instructions

Model boat racing uses the same rules as racing larger sailboats, with a few small changes.

1. The racing at Sail Haven will be governed by the rules as defined in the 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing, Appendix E for RC sailing, prescriptions of US Sailing, these Sailing Instructions and the DF-95 class rules.

2. All DF-95’s shall comply with ALL class rules.

3. Rule 31 is changed to Boats may hit marks without penalty. EXCEPTION Starting and Finishing marks may not be hit while Starting or Finishing. If you hit a starting mark while starting properly simply do a proper penalty turn and continue racing. If you hit a finishing mark while finishing do a proper penalty turn then return completely to this course side before you finish.

4. A boat that has gone ashore, aground or become entangled with another boat or a mark, may be freed and re-launched by anyone or any means.

5. While ashore or at the water’s edge, boats may be adjusted, drained or repaired. They may have entangled objects removed and batteries may be changed. 

6. Notices to competitors will be given verbally by the Race Director or on an official notice board if available

7. The Course, the order in which marks are to be passed and the side on which each mark is to be left, will be given verbally by the RD and may be posted on the Course Board if available.

8. The control area is unrestricted with the exception that no one can stand on anything where they would have a visual advantage.

9. LAUNCHING / HAUL OUT AREA is unrestricted. Please make way immediately for other sailors

10. THE START: Rule 29.1 (Individual Recall) will be changed as no flag will be shown. If any part of a boat’s hull is on the course side of the starting line at the start signal, the line judge or other competitors will attempt to hail that boat and you will be “OCS” for the race until restarting and clear. Skippers will be on their honor if OCS to restart the race if no hail is given. Failure of the skipper to hear such a hail will not be grounds for a request for a redress hearing. This changes rule 61.4(b)(1).

11. The Race Director may award a finishing position to any boat(s) that lags the balance of the fleet in finishing to promote more heats sailed.

12. PROTEST: 

A boat protesting another boat, while sailing, shall hail the other boat, no red flag required.

Boats filing a protest with the protest committee must notify the RD immediately following the relevant heat. A protest form is not required. The protest hearing will be conducted using the “Five-minute format”. One minute for the person lodging the protest, one minute for the offending boat to rebut and three minutes for the protest committee to issue its finding. This modifies Rule 60.2.

The protest will be heard after the completion of the last race.

1.  FAIR SAILING - Sailors will exhibit sportsman-like behavior at all times during racing.