1.1 The Raritan Yacht Club races will be governed by the current 'rules' as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2 If there is a conflict between the sailing instructions for a given race or series and these sailing instructions, the race or series instructions shall prevail.
2.1 The Raritan Yacht Club races are open to PHRF and various RC approved One Design classes. Eligible boats may be entered by contacting the Race Committee.
2.2 Race Committee approved One-Design classes may race in accordance with their class association rules if a minimum of three (3) competitors have registered with the Race Committee as a One Design fleet.
2.3 All Boats entering a PHRF division must have a valid 2004 PHRF-Mid Atlantic rating certificate on file with the RYC office or they will not be scored. It is strongly suggested, that the owner of each racing boat shall be a member of US Sailing.
2.4 All RYC club members will be billed for their racing activity. All non-members are welcome as guests and will be responsible for their applicable entry fee, payable to the Race Committee prior to the start.
3. Notices to competitors will be posted on the official RYC Race Notice Board on the lower deck of the clubhouse.
4. Any change in the sailing instructions will be posted on the official notice board two (2) hours before the scheduled start time of a race.
5.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed at the cupola.
5.2 The division starting will be signaled by a division flag, of the same color as the corresponding division pennant described in 5.3.
5.3 All yachts except one-design boats under 17 feet overall must fly a colored division pennant from the yacht's backstay, or equivilent location in clear view. The pennant shall be a minimum of eight (8) inches high and ten (10) inches long. The pennant and division flag colors for each division are as follows:
| Division A-1 | White |
| Gold Fleet | White |
| Division A-2 | Blue |
| Silver Fleet | Green |
| Division B | Green |
5.4 When "AP" Answering Pennant is flown from the staff of the cupola, the start is postponed at the dock. Before lowering the "AP" the time of the new warning signal may be posted on the Notice Board and Broadcast on VHF Channel 80.
6.1 Courses will be signaled using course numbers or letters signifying the marks. When the course is started from the RC Boat, the course must be signaled using a series of letters. When the race is started from the Cupola, either method may be used. A RED Letter indicates that the mark shall be left to PORT, a GREEN or BLACK letter indicates the mark is to be left to STARBOARD.
6.2 The courses, mark letters, and descriptions can be found in the 2004 RYC Race Book. Competitors are encouraged to verify the accuracy of this information. Neither the RC nor RYC assumes any responsibility for the accuracy of this data. The accuracy of the information shall not be grounds for redress. This changes RRS 62.1(a).
6.3 When signaling the course, the last mark posted shall be the finish. When the last mark posted is "RYC," the finish will be at the cupola as described in 9 below. Unless otherwise posted, all Cupola starts shall finish at the Cupola.
7.1 The letter "M" designates a mobile mark set by the race committee. Mark "M" may be used as a turning or finishing mark. If Mark "M" is used as a turning mark, the magnetic course and approximate distance will be displayed by the Race Committee.
7.2 Government marks 42, 52, 54, 56 and 58 shall be passed on the channel side.
7.3 All Skippers are responsible for reading the "Notice to Mariners" in case of changes to the location or characteristics of the marks.
7.4 The pin end of a starting line may be either a government mark or an orange or yellow inflatable.
8.1 Races will be started in accordance with RRS 26.
8.2 Boats shall neither start nor race within the mooring field. For the purpose of these sailing instructions the boundary of the mooring field is defined "as the smooth line of moored boats or moorings."
8.3 The starting line for cupola starts will be between the course side of government mark "60" and the cupola mast. The starting line for bay starts will be between a staff on the committee boat displaying and orange flag and the course side of the nearest mark.
8.4 Yachts whose warning signal has not been made shall stay clear of the starting area.
8.5 A yacht starting later than 10 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start. This changes RRS A4.1
8.6 Divisions shall not be combined except as prescribed in the Notice of Race for a given race or series.
9 The finish line for cupola finishes will be between the course side of government mark "60" and the mast of the cupola. The finishing line for all bay finishes will be between a staff on the committee boat displaying an orange flag and the course side of the nearest mark.
10 There is no time limit for auxiliary races. However, the race committee may not be on-station after 1800 hours for weekend races or 2100 hours for Wednesday night races. Any boat finishing without the RC on-station shall take its own elapsed time and report it to the RC as soon as possible. All boats that retire shall notify the RC as soon as practicable before leaving the racing area.
11.1 Written protests shall be filed to the Protest Committee or Race Committee no later than 2 hours after the last boat finishes. If the PC or RC is not available protests shall be delivered to the RYC bar and be dated, signed and time stamped by the bartender. This modifies RRS 61.3. Protest forms are available at the RYC bar.
11.2 Protest hearings will be scheduled by the Protest Committee in the order received. Protest hearings will be heard at RYC, and if possible on the same date submitted.
11.3 The Protest committee will be assigned by the Race Committee Chairman.
12 The low point scoring system, RRS Appendix A2 will apply, modified so that each boat's series score will be the sum of her race scores. As a further modification, there will be no throwouts unless so stated in the Notice of Race for a specific series.
13.1 All yachts racing shall carry a VHF radio capable of transmitting and receiving on VHF Channels 80 and 16, and all yachts shall monitor VHF Channel 80.
13.2 A yacht shall neither make nor receive telecommunications while racing that is not available to all yachts.
13.3 Prior to the warning signal for each division, the Race Committee may announce by radio on VHF Channel 80 the course to be sailed.
13.4 Individual recalls will be signaled in accordance with RRS 29.2. As a courtesy, the RC will attempt to hail boats on VHF Channel 80. The failure of any boat to hear the hail, the hail of some but not all OCS boats, the untimely hail of some or all OCS boats or failure to hail any or all boats shall not be grounds for redress. This changes Rule 62.1
14 A first place trophy will be awarded to a division with three (3) starters. A second place trophy shall be awarded to a division with five (5) starters. A third place trophy shall be awarded to a division with (7) starters.
15.1 All boats shall carry the safety equipment required by applicable national, state, and local rules/regulations.
15.2 All boats shall comply with the applicable international, National, State, and local navigation rules.
15.3 Suspected violations of 15.1 and/or 15.2 may result in protest by another competitor or by the Race Committee in accordance with RRS 60, with a possible penalty of disqualification from the race, disqualification for all races sailed on the day of the infraction, or other disciplinary action consistent with the seriousness of the infraction.
16 Boats shall not discharge trash over the side. Suspected violation of this provision may result in protest by another competitor, or by the Race Committee in accordance with a RRS 60, with a possible penalty of disqualification from the race, disqualification from all races sailed on the day of the infraction, or other disciplinary action consistent with the seriousness of the infraction.
17.1 The RYC Race Committee and/or their representatives assume no responsibility for accidents and/or injuries to persons suffered in any way or from any cause in any way related to the race or series.
17.2 The responsibility of the Race Committee is to provide a start and to record positions and elapsed times at the finish. The decision to start, continue or retire from a race is the sole responsibility of each competitor.