Edited by author 01-31-2006 09:44 AM
Joe Tidwell began this valuable discussion with the following suggestion I am posting here. I agree with him. Let's also hear your thoughts and ideas. Here's what Joe said:

Hey Guys,

As mentioned in our pre-sail meeting today - about all of us getting together and having a "rules sail" would be great....I'm all for it and if we can get the rest to join it would help a great deal. I'll be glad to do anything I can that will bring this club closer together...........I'm all in if y'all are.......I think this is a great group of guys and all it would take is a little more understanding
amongst us.............

Best,

Joe T........

Think it is a great idea, but to really understand some you need to be able to draw a diagram.

Also a great Source for clearing up difficult interpations of the rules is the SCYA Appeals Book. As you may know in Big Boats a protest hearing has two functions: First to establish the "FACTS" by interviewing witnesses, and Second to interpt and apply the "Rules".

Any losing party can then appeal the decision based upon the rule interpation to the Souther California Appeals Committee who accept the "facts" as established by the local hearing but review the local club's interpation of the "rules". They then issue a report which is sent to all clubs that have a suscription to the Appeals book. I don't remember the cost of a subscription but can find out if anyone is interested.

Although new to RC racing I have 35 years of Big Boat experence, with a lot of experience in the protest room, but as a party to or as a hearing officer, and I can state with assurance that in every protest both parties either saw different facts and also frequencly have differnt understanding of what the rule really means.

With regard to the rules, I think there are several different reasons why people don't abide by them. Foremost is ignorance or misunderstanding of the rules. With regard to these people, there are those who genuinely want to learn them and others who incorrectly think they know them, and spend their time defending an untenable position. I like to think that I am among those who want and need to better understand the rules since it will enable me to be a more competitive sailor and better plan strategy.

The key rests in raising everyones' understanding and skill level to a higher level, without diminishing the "fun" quotient. Part of it is to actually protest an action not remedied during a race and discuss and resolve it after -- if and only if we can keep personalities out of it. We need to focus on the action and not the person committing the action. The problems arise when people get angry, resort to name calling and confrontation. We need to mold the mores of the club so that we avoid angry confrontation (which we don't have allot of), to one of considered learning. We have to move from unconsciously incompetent about the rules, to consciously competent. It has to be a part of each and every match.

Those that know the rules, need to explain it to those that don't, as well as the others racing who also may not know, after every race where an "interesting"infraction takes place -- even if the offending party rectified it with a 360 degree turn.

We have to make a commitment as a club to put as much emphasis on learning and abiding by the rules, as we do on building and sailing our boats -- especially if we intend to sail with other clubs and compete in national matches.

The problem with the rules is one of actually seeing the infraction. This is as true on the water as it is off the page that the rule is written on in the book. What is needed is a book that is a simple as a ABC childs guide to reading. The problem is that it does not read that simply and in fact things on the water are not on video to actually see the erros again. prehaps we should have a actuall class on video at the lake that shows our most common errors. Like how to pass ect. with hope and humor jeff "Undefeated Victor 32 Class" sandler www.rctraymanusa.com e-mail rctraymanusa@aol.com

Idea.... we, of little boats, have the unique ability to re-inact any rule we would like to review. This can be done at the pond at lunch time for all to see. Just submit what you would like to become clear on, and it can be played out on the water.

Ramblings so please don't take offence!

We are supposed to have a meeting at Hansen Dam next Sat I believe. If Steve Landeau shows up he probably knows the rules as well as anyone in region 6. I have been at the Woodbridge club meets (usually in the bar afterwards) when they have had prolonged discussions on the rules. He is good at leading rules discussions with a wealth of race experience ( he raced both Worlds and Europeans last year )
 Problem is that we need an Arbitrator, case in point Joe S, took myself and Frank out of the 5th race on Sunday and he firmly believed that he had a right to do so.
 Ron suggested Sunday that he and I, be a race committee. I for one would not race in that situation, I do have now 2 books which explain the rules well to assist as reference. Certainly I think that we need a race committee and I believe that they can not be in the race. Everyone likes to remember that they were in the right, we need to begin with at least an independent arbitrator.
 I would still like to race but I believe that for me to get better everyone that I race with needs to get better on the rules (self included). I propose that I will drop out of the ODOM group and race only US1M and Santa Barbara. (General comment was that I have enough brass already.) I would be the race starter and umpire for ODOM's (armed with my books). I would watch the race and people would protest in accordance with the rules.

 Alternatively we could race 8 races for ODOM's (club boat after all) Have one compulsory drop out and one voluntary dropped race ie best 6 of 8 Compulsory drop outs would be the Committee for that race. Best racers would be on committee that would give lesser racers a chance to race all 8 races and take the best scores. Compulsory drop outs would be anyone that as placed in a season. Ie Ron, myself, Barry, Neil, Shoe, Scott (off the top of my head)

I think I like the alternative best

Just ideas, any thoughts , Bob

Well put Shoe...I'm with you all the way on
> this.....You made a statement one day, "Why are we
> growing apart?" Your suggestion here could reverse
> that in a heartbeat. I really can't wait to start
> these sessions or whatever y'all come up with....it
> can't do anything but help all of us, including the
> guys who know the most....we might learn more than
> just the mere rules of racing...maybe somthing good
> about ourselves....
>
> Joe

Looking over this page, it would apear that we have all learned the rules and no longer need "Racing Rules" as a discussion space!!! Any thoughts???

Ron