The regatta will be governed by the simple rule that fun rules.

There will be no contact between vessels. If there is contact between vessels, all yachts involved must withdraw immediately and they are no longer eligible for trophies or prizes. There will be no protests. The results are final. By entering you agree to all race rules.

1. ENTRIES
   Competitors may enter by showing up and checking in with the race committee on VHF Channel 78A. If you wish to be timed and included the results a Race Number must be displayed. These numbers will be given out at the Captain’s meeting an at the Harbor Master’s office. The Race Committee will be documenting all boats at the start line.

2. NOTICES TO COMPETITORS
   Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located at Elliott Bay Marina, Downtown Sailing Series official web site.

3. COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC
   All commercial traffic has right of way. Competitors will not impede or interfere with any commercial traffic in any way. Any vessel that does is subject to immediate disqualification. There will be patrol boats on the course and officials on those patrol vessels can disqualify any vessel sighted interfering with any commercial vessel. Competitors are encouraged to monitor VHF Channel 14 for commercial traffic information. Patrol vessels will be monitoring that channel as well.

4. SIGNALS MADE ASHORE
   Signals made ashore will be displayed from the observation deck at the center of the Elliott Bay Marina Breakwater.

5. CLASSES and CLASS FLAGS
   For the first race, classes will start in the order the race committee selects. Order to be posted on the website and on the evening of the race the committee will take questions on VHF Channel 78A.

6. RACING AREA
   The racing area will be Elliott Bay, north of the ferry lanes and east of the west end of the Elliott Bay Marina Breakwater.

7. COURSE and MARKS
   The course will be the same every Thursday night from June 11th to August 6th. The course will be from the start/finish line off the observation deck in the center of the Elliott Bay Marina Breakwater to a mark at the Grain Elevators Pier 86, then to a mark off the Seattle Aquarium at Pier 59, then to a mark off the west end of the Elliott Bay Marina, and back to the start finish line. All marks will be yellow 6 (six) foot inflatable buoys. All marks are to be rounded to starboard. In light air conditions the committee may eliminate the Aquarium mark (Pier 59). Competitors will be notified by VHF Channel 78A.

8. STARTING AND FINISHING LINES
   The starting and finishing lines will be between a limiting mark immediately off the observation deck in the center of the Elliott Bay Marina Breakwater and a yellow buoy approximately 1/4 mile south of the limiting buoy.

9. STARTING SYSTEM
   The Sound Signal Starting System will be as follows commencing at 1850 hours.
   Signal Sound Time before Start
   Warning: 1 Long 10 minutes
   Preparatory: 1 Long 5 minutes
   First Start: 1 Long Fast Boats Start, Cruising Boats start five minutes later.
   Second Start:1 Long Cruising Boats Start.

10. TIME LIMIT
    The time limit for each class will be one hour and thirty minutes for the first boat to finish. Boats finishing more than 30 minutes after the first boat that sails the course finishes will be scored DNF. Running the motor to make the time limit is NOT cause for disqualification.

11. PROTESTS
    There will be no protests. See Sailing Instructions Rule Number One.

12. TROPHIES
    Trophies and Prizes will be awarded to the yachts that complete the course and whose names are selected through random drawing. All yachts that complete the course are eligible.

13. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
    If in the event of little or no wind, the race will NOT be cancelled – use your engine to navigate the course.