Racing your own boat part 2 by Mark Kondracky

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If you read the previous article in this series, you had to decide on what races you were going to do and get a phrf certificate.  You can now go on ECSA.net and get a phrf certificate, but you will need lots of information about your boat. (water line length, displacement, j measurement to name a few. Don't be intimidated, if you don't know these figures, your sailmaker can help you, or a person in your club can refer you to the club handicapper.  ECSA.net has a contact person and a list of definitions as well.    Next decide what races you want to do.  If you are looking for a race designed for the total novice, consider Duck Islands Commodore's invite on June 19.  It is a great place to start since all the people who yell a lot will be out racing at Block Island. Also they will give you a rating number for that race just a couple of hours before the start. No muss or fuss.    One of the most important things is to review the sailing instructions.  They will have a list of the marks used, how those marks will be posted so you know which ones you are racing to, and a list of what order the different classes are starting in. Review these instructions very carefully and ask questions.  If there are more than one class you will be also given a scratch sheet.  This will indicate the number of classes and the name of the boats in each.  When in doubt, follow the boats in your class.  But what do you do if you are leading?  Well this is why you want to read the race instructions.  Anyway, before you can lead you have to start.  If you are the first class, with 5 minutes to go your class flag will go up along with a sound signal. One minute later (4 min to go) a blue flag will go up with one long sound signal.  With one minute to go the blue flag will come down with a sound signal.  At the start your class flag will come down, the next classes flag may go up, and their will be a sound signal.