FAQ

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FAQ -- Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for membership?

Do I need to belong to a yacht club?

What is "THE RED BOOK"?

How are the classes divided?

What is a PHHS handicap and where do I get one?

What does SSSN stand for?

Do I need an SSS number?

How do I obtain an SSS number?

How do I enter a race?

What do I have to do if it says its a self timing start?

How does self timing work?

Where can I see the results of the races?

This all sounds very interesting and I would like to talk to somebody about it. Who should I contact?

Can I apply for membership?

There are two primary grades of membership, full membership, and crew membership.

Full membership is open to owners of bona fide yachts, there are certain safety requirements which these need to satisfy, in particular, that the yacht is seaworthy, has a SSSN equal to or greater than 20 for cross-channel and night races, and carries certain safety equipment. (Cross Channel and Night Races are ORC Category 3 while day races are ORC Category 4, see the links page for full requirements). A life raft is required for cross-channel races. (See section 3.0 "Safety" of THE RED BOOK).

The owner, by signing the membership application form, warrants that the yacht fulfils these requirements.

Crew membership is open to non-boat owners. Crew members receive all the association mailings including a copy of THE RED BOOK.

Secondary grades of membership are, temporary membership, which is open to visiting yachtsman to enable them to complete in a maximum of two weekends racing, and honorary membership.

To apply for membership contact the secretary by email secretary@pyra.org.uk or download an application form from the PYRA section of this website “Membership Form”.

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Do I need to belong to a yacht club?

There's no requirement to belong to a yacht club although most members of PYRA are also members of yacht clubs.

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What is THE RED BOOK?

This is the handbook and program and is issued each year. It includes officers and constitution, sailing instructions and notice of race, social, trophies and prize giving. It is essential to carry a copy of THE RED BOOK on board. Additional copies can be purchased from the Secretary.

Historically there was also THE BLUE BOOK, THE RED BOOK was printed in red ink while the BLUE BOOK was in blue ink. THE BLUE BOOK contained the constitution and was subsequently incorporated into THE RED BOOK. THE RED BOOK is still printed in red ink.

The THE RED BOOK may be viewed on the PYRA section of this is web site.

How are the classes divided?

Classes 1 and 2 race under IRC handicap,

Class 1 -- IRC rating of 0.931 and above, Class 2 -- rating 0.930 and below.

Class Flags Class 1-- Numeral 1, Class 2 -- Numeral 2

Classes 3A and 3B race under PHHS handicap and in addition there is a penalty of 1% per crew for carrying more than two crew members over the age of 15 on the date of the first Class 3 race in the current year.

Class 3A PHHS handicap of 0.866 and above, Class 3B handicap of 0.865 and below.

Class Flags Class 3A – International flag "A", Class 3B -- Numeral 3

Class 1 and 2 boats may race in Class 3 with a PHHS handicap,(perhaps without a spinnaker and No 1 genoa for more harmonious short-handed family sailing)!

What is a PHHS handicap and where do I get one?

PHHS is the local Poole Harbour Handicap System.

There is no charge for a handicap certificate and it is valid for the current year.

A new certificate must be obtained each year.

As in all rating systems a number of leading hull and sail dimensions are required. On the PYRA section of this web site go to the tab marked "Handicap Forms" and download the forms, or contact the secretary. You will need to do this while your boat is out of the water. (If your boat is in the water your handicapper may have hull measurements for a sister boat which might suffice temporarily). Should you require any help you should contact your handicapper.

In addition to PYRA the main yacht clubs in Poole Harbour have their own handicappers. You should contact the secretary for the handicapper's contact details. secretary@pyra.org.uk

PYRA and Parkstone Yacht Club - Ian Jessopp

Poole Yacht Club - John Atkins

Royal Motor Yacht Club - Giles Alden

What does SSSN stand for?

It stands for stability and safety screening number and more information can be found by using this link

http://www.rorc.org/content/view/121/95/

The higher the number the more stable and safe the yacht. The base number can be reduced v slightly if the yacht satisfies other additional safety features, for example, no external lockers,full compliance with certain safety categories. More information is available in an RYA Handbook G23.

Do I need an SSS number?

If you are intending to race in category 3 races, cross-channel and night races, then an SSS number of 20 or above is required. If you're intending to sail only category 4 races, coastal passage races or local day races, then there is no requirement for an SSS number.

How do I obtain an SSS number?

An SSS number is incorporated in all IRC rating certificates. If however you are rated to PHHS you will need to check this link

http://www.rya.org.uk/NewsAndEvents/newsroom/news/stabilitylist.htm

and then go to the “stability list” on the related links to see if your your boat is listed. If not it may be necessary to talk to the RORC rating office to see if you can obtain a copy IRC certificate of a sister boat. The SSS number may be critical on smaller and lighter craft.

Some typical values (shown in brackets)

J24 and Melges 24 (9), Mumm 30 (13), Corby 29 (17), First 27.7 and Hunter HB31 (18), Hanse 300 (20), OOD34 and Bavaria 32 (24), Sigma 33 (25), Contessa 32 (29), Nicholson 32 (36), Sadler 34 (37).

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How do I enter a race?

There are two primary ways to enter, firstly by signing up on one of the entry forms posted on the noticeboards at Royal Motor Yacht Club, Poole Yacht Club, and Parkstone Yacht Club, and secondly by sending an email to the secretary. There is a prescribed preferred layout of the email in THE RED BOOK, section 2.0 conditions of entry, race entries. Entries must be received by noon on Wednesday for a Saturday or Sunday race, and by noon on Tuesday for a Friday race.

There is a third way to enter, by making line entry, this however should only be used as a last resort for unforeseen situations rather than making up for laziness of not entering by the other methods.

A line entry is made by calling up the PYRA committee boat and advising them that you wish to make a line entry, your sail number, boat name, your class, and if class 3, the number of crew. Please be mindful of the start boat who are probably short of manpower and may be, anchoring, already in a starting sequence for another class, and have enough to do without additional radio transmissions. There are some races which traditionally have a lot of starters and for these line entries are not allowed, this will usually be noted in the race programme.

What do I have to do if it says its a self timing start?

You will have to select your own start time within the time limits stated and to declare this at the same time that you enter. You then cross the start line on or after the declared start time.

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How does self timing work?

Most, if not all races finish on unmanned finish lines defined by two points/buoys forming a transit with one of the points/buoys and an outer distance market forming the line to be crossed.

The skipper is required to take his own time when the bow reaches the line. The time should be to the nearest second and should be based on an accurate watch or clock. The time required is BST in hh:mm:ss. Watches should be set to GPS time, radio transmitted time from Anthorn Radio Station in Cumbria (used to be Rugby until March 2007) used in clock and watch synchronisation, or the pips on FM radio, (not digital radio or digital TV). A note should be made of the name and approximate finish time of that boat in front and behind. The time of passing through mid course gates (when specified), with that of the boats ahead and behind should also be recorded so that in the event that there are no finishers results can be calculated based on the time of passing through the gates.

You can use this link to check the seconds on your watch, (it states that it is accurate to within a second, but will not be as accurate as a radio synchronised clock or watch, also give it about a minute for the time to settle down), (the hours are wrong because the signal is coming from Germany) http://www.ptb.de/en/zeit/uhrzeit.html

At away destinations the times should be given to the class captain so that provisional results may be calculated. You should keep a copy of these times to phone in or e-mail to the record's secretary as this must be done by 1800 hrs on the day following return despite giving the class captain the times. Remember to bring them ashore after the race!

Failure to advise the records secretary of your finish time by 1800 hrs will result in a "did not finish" result.

Where can I see the results of the races?

Results are posted on the PYRA notice boards at Parkstone Yacht Club, Poole Yacht Club, and Royal Motor Yacht Club, and also on the PYRA section of this web site.

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This all sounds very interesting and I would like to talk to somebody about it. Who should I contact?

Any of the PYRA officers will be more than happy to talk to you, however, in the first instance you should contact the secretary by e-mail at secretary@pyra.org.uk to obtain contact phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Phone numbers are omitted from this web site to avoid nuisance calls and phishing.

At each of the main clubs there is a PYRA representative:-

Parkstone Yacht Club -- Ian Hayes

Poole Yacht Club -- Ken Morgan

Royal Motor Yacht Club -- Hubert Lea