CLASS RULES

Revised June 1, 2019

1. GENERAL:

Naples Sabot yachts shall race under the current World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), except where the INSA rules conflict.

2. ELIGIBILITY TO RACE:

A. The yacht and skipper must comply fully with the requirements of the Association and Fleet.

B. The yacht must have been constructed in accordance with the official plans and specifications, must possess a copy of a valid Certificate of Measurement on file with the INSA office, and

C. Must carry a current year registration decal.

D. A member must be in good standing with a Fleet and the Association to be eligible to race in any INSA sanctioned event.

E. Where there is an age requirement, birthdays occurring during a regatta shall not affect eligibility already established.

F. Junior members whose 18th birthday falls between the first day of the Senior Championship Regatta and the Junior Championship Regatta in a calendar year may elect to compete in either Championship, but not both.

A member must be in good standing with a Fleet and the Association to be eligible to race.

3. AGE CLASSIFICATIONS:

A. Junior Members: classified as under 18 years of age.

B. Senior Members: all Association members who are 18 years of age or older. Within the Senior classification:

1. Masters are defined as being 40 years of age or older.

2. Grand Masters are defined as being 65 years of age or older.

C. Senior and Masters Divisions will be established when possible. These two categories will be combined into a single Senior category if there are insufficient (three) entries in either category to make a class.

4. INSA "Interfleet" JUNIOR SKIPPER CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES:

A. Basic Rule: In major regattas with inter-fleet competition, Naples Sabot skippers shall be advanced to the next higher classification upon having won a first place trophy.

B. Advancement Guidelines:

1. All fleet advancements shall be upon winning either two one day events or one two day event with 7 or more starters.

2. Advancement from C3 to C2 shall be one (1) sailor for every seven (7) competing in a two day event.

C. Definitions:

1. Classifications shall be designated "A", "B", and “C” (C1", "C2", and "C3"), in order of capability, "A" being the highest.

2. A major regatta is a series of four or more races, and of more than one day duration.

3. Inter-fleet competition is defined as racing where two or more fleets are represented in a class, with a total of 7 or more starters. Cases where two or more classes are combined by the Race Committee, because of an insufficient number of starters in one or more classes, do not count.

5. COACHING:

The only acceptable on-the-water coaching to the Class during racing shall be for the C3 Class during non-championship events. During INSA championship events, on-the-water coaching between races shall be allowed. The Host Club during INSA championship events shall provide an appropriately sized “Coaching Zone” in a location which allows for meaningful coaching between races.

A. The acceptable coaching zone shall not be a box. INSA shall provide flags which shall be used to denote the “Coaching Zone.”

B. Limited coaching is allowed in the C3 fleet only, for those sailors who are:

1. At the back of the C3 fleet.

2. Obviously going backwards or continually struggling to stay out of irons or are in danger.

3. Delaying the start of the next race and pointed out by the Race Committee to receive assistance to complete the course.

4. Electronic communication devices including but not limited to: VHS and other 2-way radios, cell phones and text messaging devices shall not be used.

6. BOAT CHARTERS:

Current registration on the chartered boat shall be paid for/by the owner.

7. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

The following equipment must be carried in a Naples Sabot while racing:

1. A U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) Type I, II or III must be worn and properly fastened by Junior skippers.

2. A U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) must be carried by Senior skippers.

3. One affixed suitable bailing device.

4. One affixed paddle which must meet the following specifications: 32 square inches minimum (excluding handle) with no holes permitted; of any material; minimum 1/8" thick; flat; handle 3 1/2" long, 1" wide, one 1/4" hole allowed for attachment cord. A regulation ping pong paddle shall be sufficient.

5. One painter at 10 feet long and at least 1/4" diameter.

6. No tracking device shall be installed on a hull or spars during a regatta without prior approval by the INSA Executive Board. Such requests for approval shall be made no later than forty-five (45) days prior to a regatta.

7. With the exception of class designation ribbons, an Organizing Authority (OA) may not require the installation of any added equipment which is not required by the “INSA Rules” nor approved by the INSA Executive Board. The decision of the Executive Board shall be final.

8. For all INSA sanctioned races, the Technical Committee or Race Committee may protest a boat for racing without Class equipment or corrector weights on board. The penalty for not carrying the class specified safety equipment is 10 points added to their score for that race. Boats racing without weights will be disqualified from all races sailed without the weights.

8. GROSS WEIGHT RULE:

A. Junior Skippers:

1. For Junior Championship regattas and all Junior A, B and C1 regattas (excluding Sabot II), the gross weight of the skipper plus hull and equipment, as defined in the specifications, must equal two hundred twenty (220) pounds.

2. If it does not, the skipper must add weight in the boat to bring it up to this minimum, except no skipper is required to carry more than 20 pounds of added weight. Consequently, in the case of a very light skipper, the gross weight might not reach 220 pounds but would still be legal if the maximum 20 pounds of weight were added.

3. Any weight (ballast) added shall not destroy the 10 pound minimum positive buoyancy of the yacht.

4. At a regatta, “A” and “B” Junior Fleet sailors must follow the gross weight rules as described above in 1., 2., and 3.

B. Senior Skippers:

1. For Senior Championship Regattas, the gross weight of the skipper plus hull and equipment, as defined in the specifications, must equal 245 pounds.

2. If it does not, the skipper must add weight in the boat to bring it up to this minimum, except no skipper is required to carry more than 20 pounds of added weight. Therefore, in the case of a very light skipper, the gross weight might not reach 245 pounds, but would still be legal if the maximum 20 pounds of weight were added.

3. Any weight (ballast) added shall not destroy the 10 pound minimum positive buoyancy of the yacht.

C. Senior Skippers, Clydesdale Division:

1. For Senior Championship Regattas, Clydesdale Division, the gross weight of the skipper must be 220 pounds or heavier.

2. If the skipper weighs 200 pounds, he must carry 20 pounds of added weight, added weight not to exceed 20 pounds.

D. Ballast required to bring a yacht to its weight of 95 pounds does not apply to the required corrector weight for juniors (maximum of 20 pounds) or to the required corrector weight for seniors (maximum of 20 pounds).

9. SCORING:

Low Point Scoring (Racing Rules of Sailing Appendix A) will be used, unless changed by INSA Championship guidelines.

ASSOCIATION SPONSORED CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

Senior/Master/Clydesdale Championship Regatta

1. ELIGIBILITY:

The event is open to any sailor who:

A. In the Senior Regatta, must be over age 18 at the time of the event.

B. In the Master Regatta, must be over age 40 at the time of the event.

C. In the Grand Master Regatta, must be over age 65 at the time of the event.

D. In the Clydesdale Division, must be over age 18 at the time of the event.

E. Is a member in good standing of INSA, and whose boat registration and fleet dues (if applicable) are current with the Association.

F. Has submitted a valid entry form and paid all applicable fees prior to the start of the regatta.

G. Boats shall be eligible to sail in the Senior, Master, Grand Master or Clydesdale National Championship provided they have a valid measurement certificate on file with the INSA office, and they have a valid decal for the current calendar year affixed on the hull.

2. EQUIPMENT:

A. The same hull, sail and equipment must be used throughout the entirety of the event, unless it is so severely damaged as to be incapable of being sailed. All claims of damage requiring replacement must be petitioned, in writing, to the Regatta Chair, Chief Judge, or INSA Secretary. In all cases, replacement equipment must satisfy all measurement requirements.

B. Hull and sail number shall match. An exception may be made at the discretion of the INSA Secretary or Regatta Chairman in the event of a damaged hull.

C. Pre-regatta measurement and weigh-in shall be completed prior to the close of regatta check-in.

3. REGATTA GUIDELINES:

A. The Regatta shall be held annually with the following host rotation: ABYC, BYC/BCYC, MBYC, NHYC/LIYC, SDYC.

B. The Event shall be governed by INSA Class (Racing) Rules, and the current Racing Rules of Sailing.

C. Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series for the Senior, Master and Clydesdale Championships. When three to five races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores. When six races have been completed, each boat’s series score shall be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score (throw out).

D. The Masters Championship Regatta shall consist of a Gold Fleet and a Silver Fleet, and the Fleet Captains will participate in selection of the sailors for the Gold and Silver Fleets.

E. The Grand Masters Championship Regatta shall not consist of more than three races, to be sailed during a single day. One race is required to be completed to constitute a series. A boat’s series score shall be the total of all of her race scores. The Grand Masters shall have separate starts; however, if there are less than five participants in the Grand Masters, they will start with another fleet.

F. The Clydesdale Division shall have separate starts; however, if there are less than five participants in the Clydesdales, they will start with another fleet.

G. Sailing Instructions shall be presented to the INSA Executive Committee sixty (60) days prior to the event for approval. Failure to provide Sailing Instructions sixty days prior to the event will result in INSA providing the Sailing Instructions for the event.

H. Sailing Instructions shall be posted fifteen (15) days prior to the event.

4. CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHIES:

A. A participation souvenir will be given to all competitors.

B. Senior Sabot Nationals Perpetual Trophy to the winner of the Senior fleet.

C. Seniors - First through fifth take home trophies.

D. Masters Sabot Nationals Perpetual Trophy to the winner of the Masters Gold fleet.

E. Masters – Gold Fleet - First through fifth take home trophies.

F. Masters – Silver Fleet - First through fifth take home trophies.

G. Grand Masters Sabot Nationals Perpetual Trophy to the winner of the Grand Masters fleet.

H. Grand Masters - First through third take home trophies.

I. Clydesdale Division Sabot Nationals Perpetual Trophy to the winner of the Clydesdale Division.

J. Clydesdale Division – First through third take home trophies.

K. “Daily First” trophies given to winner of each race for all fleets.

5. TROPHY RESPONSIBILITY AND CONDITIONS:

The name, year and yacht club of the Winner shall be engraved by the winner and/or winner’s yacht club on the Perpetual Trophy. The Trophy is to be held by the winner or winner’s yacht club until the next INSA Senior, Master, Grand Masters and Clydesdale Division National Championship. It is the responsibility of the winner to return the updated trophy, in original condition, to the next Championship.

Junior Championship Regatta

1. ELIGIBILITY:

The event is open to any sailor who:

A. Has not reached 18 years of age at the time of the event

1. EXCEPTION: Any competitor whose 18th birthday falls between the first day of the Senior Championship Regatta and the Junior Championship Regatta in a calendar year may elect to compete in either Championship, but not both.

B. By July 10th, is a member in good standing of INSA, and whose boat registration and fleet dues (if applicable) are current with the Association. An additional late fee of $20 will be charged for skippers and hulls not in compliance.

C. By July 25th, has submitted a valid entry form and paid all applicable fees prior to the start of the regatta. Entries may be received by August 1st if accompanied by a late fee.

D. By July 25th, has qualified for the Championship Regatta in a fleet ranking series/or have received a ranking placement by the fleet to which the member belongs. Note that the fleet shall submit a ranking list to the INSA Secretary-Treasurer by August 1st.

E. Boats shall be eligible to sail in the Junior National Championship provided they have a valid measurement certificate on file with the INSA office by July 25th, and they have a valid decal for the current calendar year affixed on the hull.

2. EQUIPMENT:

A. The same hull, sail and equipment must be used throughout the entirety of the event, unless it is so severely damaged as to be incapable of being sailed. All claims of damage requiring replacement must be petitioned, in writing, to the Regatta Chair, Chief Judge, or INSA Secretary. In all cases, replacement equipment must satisfy all measurement requirements.

B. Hull and sail number shall match. An exception may be made at the discretion of the INSA Secretary or Regatta Chairman in the event of a damaged hull.

C. Pre-regatta measurement and weigh-in shall be completed prior to the close of regatta check-in.

3. REGATTA GUIDELINES:

A. The Regatta shall be held annually on a rotating north-south basis.

B. The Event shall be governed by INSA Class (Racing) Rules, and the current Racing Rules of Sailing.

C. The INSA Junior National Championship shall consist of: Flight Selection Series and Championship Series.

1. Flight Selection Series: Shall be an open registration event sufficient to total 120 yachts, plus ties for 120th place. Flights for the Championship Series shall be determined by finish positions in the Flight Selection Series. Ties at the cutoff points shall not be broken. All overflow sailors will be automatically eligible to sail in the Cove Cup. Junior sailors with a fleet status of C2 by the end of the Summer Gold Cup will be eligible to sail in the championship series.

2. Championship Series: The Championship Series shall consist of the four equal flights as determined by the Flight Selection Series. However ties at each flight cut-off point shall not be broken which may result in a smaller number of competitors in the Iron Flight than the other flights. The four flights in order of top finishers shall be Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron.

3. EXEMPTIONS

a. Exemption A. The defending Junior National Champion may opt to be seeded as an addition to the Championship Flight and not be required to race the Flight Selection Series. Election to sail the Flight Selection Series voids this option.

b. Exemption B. The Board of Directors may, in rare cases, accept a written petition from a worthy competitor to waive all, or part, of the prior series if participation in a national US SAILING event which required elimination by area prevents the sailor from participation in all or part of the prior series. If the acceptance of the petition shall increase the number of sailors in the Championship Flight such that a sailor who earned a position in the Championship Flight through normal eliminations will not be bumped.

D. Sailing Instructions shall be presented to the INSA Executive Committee sixty (60) days prior to the event for approval. Failure to provide Sailing Instructions sixty days prior to the event will result in INSA providing the Sailing Instructions for the event.

E. Sailing Instructions shall be posted fifteen (15) days prior to the event.

4. SCHEDULE OF RACES

A. Flight Selection Series: Under normal conditions five races shall be sailed. When three or fewer races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores, there shall be no throw out. If four or more races are completed a boat’s series score shall be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

B. Championship Series: Under normal conditions six races shall be sailed. Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series. When fewer than six races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores. When six races have been completed, each boat’s series score shall be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score (throw out).

5. REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION

Coaching: On the water coaching during racing shall not be allowed by any Support Person as defined in the RRS. At a Championship event, the protest committee may call a hearing under RRS 60.3 (d) to determine if a Support Person has broken a rule. The protest committee shall act in accordance with RRS 64.4 concerning any decisions.

On-The-Water Coaching between races shall be allowed in a “Coaching Zone” only. The Host Club during INSA championship events shall provide an appropriately sized “Coaching Zone” in a location which allows for meaningful coaching between races. Spectator and/or support craft shall not be allowed.

6. TROPHIES TO BE AWARDED AT THE INSA JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA

A. A participation souvenir will be given to all competitors.

B. Flight Selection Series - First through tenth take home trophies.

C. Championship Series Gold Flight:

1. “Daily First” take home trophies (given to the winner of each race).

2. First through tenth take home trophies.

3. INSA Junior National Championship Perpetual Trophy.

4. Hal Brown Memorial Trophy for the best combined score, with no throw- outs, in the Flight Selection and Championship Series.

5. Coronado Chamber of Commerce Perpetual Trophy to the winner of the final race in the Championship series.

D. Championship Series Silver Flight:

1. First through fifth take home trophies.

2. Commodore’s Cup Perpetual to the winner of the Silver Flight.

E. Championship Series Bronze Flight:

1. First through fifth take home trophies.

F. Championship Series Iron Flight:

1. First through fifth take home trophies.

G. Joe Wells Perpetual Trophy to the top junior woman in the Championship Series.

H. Jessica Uniack Memorial Trophy to the outstanding junior sportsman of the year.

I. Peggy Lenhart Perpetual Trophy to the most improved junior sailor at Nationals.

J. Gaudio Cove Cup Perpetual Trophy to the daily winner of the Cove Cup Series. When there is no Cove Cup Series the trophy shall be awarded to the highest ranking newcomer at the Sabot Nationals.

7. TROPHY RESPONSIBILITY AND CONDITIONS

The name, year and yacht club of the Winner shall be engraved by the winner and/or winner’s yacht club on the Perpetual Trophy. The Trophy is to be held by the winner or winner’s yacht club until the next INSA Junior National Championship. It is the responsibility of the winner to return the updated trophy, in original condition, to the next Championship.

Sabot II Championship Regattas (Division and Invitational)

1. ELIGIBILITY

The event is open to any sailor who:

A. Has not reached their 12th birthday by the start of the first divisional championship regatta.

B. Birthdays occurring during a regatta do not affect eligibility already established.

C. Is a member in good standing of INSA, and whose boat registration and fleet dues (if applicable) are current with the Association.

D. Has submitted a valid entry form and paid all applicable fees prior to the start of the regatta.

E. Has qualified for the Sabot II Invitational Championship Regatta through the defined qualification procedure.

F. Boats shall be eligible to sail in the Sabot II Invitational Championship Regatta provided they have a valid measurement certificate on file with the INSA office, and they have a valid decal for the current calendar year affixed on the hull.

G. Yacht club membership is waived for members otherwise in good standing who do not qualify for yacht club membership because of age.

H. Weights are not required for any sailor competing in the Sabot II Championship or District Qualifications.

2. REGATTA GUIDELINES

A. These Events shall be governed by INSA Class Rules.

B. Division Championships

1. Northern Division: The Northern Division shall include all Fleets north of and including San Clemente, to and including Bakersfield, within California.

2. Southern Division: The Southern Division shall include all Fleets south of San Clemente to the Mexican Border, within California.

3. Open Division: Open Divisions shall include any Fleets outside of the Divisions above noted that host a regatta of six or more Naples Sabots pursuant to the eligibility rules below.

4. There shall be no restriction on the number of boats sailing in the divisional Sabot II Regattas.

C. Invitational Championship

1. The Sabot II Invitational Championship Regatta shall be held annually on a rotating north-south basis. It is restricted to 10 competitors each from the Southern Division and Northern Division selected in order of finish from each Division Championship. Ties at the cut-off point shall not be broken. The regatta shall consist of at least five races when practical.

D. Schedule of Races

1. Division Series: Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series. When fewer than six races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores. When six races have been completed, each boat's series score shall be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score (throw out). Ties for first place will remain and will not be broken.

2. Invitational Series: Three races are required to be completed to constitute a series. When fewer than six races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores. When six races have been completed, each boat's series score shall be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score (throw out).

E. Sailing Instructions shall be presented to the INSA Executive Committee sixty (60) days prior to the event for approval. Failure to provide Sailing Instructions sixty days prior to the event will result in INSA providing the Sailing Instructions for the event.

F. Sailing Instructions shall be posted fifteen (15) days prior to the event.

3. TROPHIES TO BE AWARDED

A. Division Series: A participation souvenir will be given to all competitors. First through tenth for the Southern Division and Northern Division take home trophies, plus youngest skipper who completes all the races, and Sabot II Regional Division Perpetual for north and south divisions.

B. Invitational Series: First through fifth take home trophies, J. J. Fetter Perpetual Award to first girl, and Sabot II Invitational Champion Perpetual.

4. TROPHY RESPONSIBILITY AND CONDITIONS

The name, year and yacht club of the Winner shall be engraved by the winner and/or winner’s yacht club on the Perpetual Trophy. The Trophy is to be held by the winner or winner’s yacht club until the next INSA Sabot II Championship Regatta. It is the responsibility of the winner to return the updated trophy, in original condition, to the next Championship.