2025 Master Mariners Regatta
Please download the Regatta Race Packet and keep copy with you during the race.
Master Mariners Regatta
Sailing Instructions
San Francisco Bay, Saturday, May 24, 2025
Organizing Authority: Master Mariners Benevolent Association
In Association With: Sausalito Yacht Club
The Master Mariners strongly suggests the wearing of personal flotation devices and practice of man overboard recovery techniques.
1. Rules
1.1. The regatta will be governed by rules as defined in Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).
1.2. These Sailing Instructions may change certain RRS rules; each change is noted in the relevant section.
1.3. All yachts shall comply with U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment regulations.
1.4. Modified RRS 44.1: A boat may take a 360° penalty turn (one tack and one jibe) instead of a 720° turn.
1.5. Modified RRS 77: Yachts must display custom identification (see Section 3).
2. Notices to Competitors
2.1. All official notices—including entry lists, class merges, and logistical information—will be posted on the Master Mariners website (www.sfmastermariners.org) no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, 23 May 2025.
2.2. Any amendment to the Sailing Instructions will be posted on the same website (and, if practicable, e‑mailed to skippers) no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, 23 May 2025.
3. Identification and Flags
3.1. Yachts shall display 18″ racing numbers on both port and starboard sides (either on the mainsail or on visible boards).
3.2. At least one of the following flags shall be displayed: Master Mariners burgee, race flag, sponsor flag, or the U.S. yacht ensign.
3.3. Failure to display at least one flag will result in a 1‑minute time penalty added to the yacht’s elapsed time.
3.4. Advertising: No advertising may be displayed except that of the yacht’s official Master Mariners Regatta sponsors.
4. Radio Communication
4.1. The Race Committee will use VHF Channel 72 for on‑the‑water communication.
4.2. Yachts retiring from the race must inform the Committee as soon as possible via VHF 72 or by calling 415‑272‑0391 (Bob Rogers).
5. Changes to the Sailing Instructions
5.1. No changes will be made after 5:00 PM on Friday, May 23, 2025.
6. Schedule of Racing
6.1. The first warning signal will be at 11:50 AM.
6.2. The first class starts at 12:00 noon when the red shape and one sound are made.
6.3. Each yacht’s start time is listed in the attached Start Times table.
6.4. Only one race will be sailed.
7. Class Descriptions
All entries are grouped into classes by rig type, length on deck, or one‑design class.
| Class | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BS | Big Schooner | Large schooners |
| M1 | Marconi 40′+ | Marconi rig, 40 ft or greater |
| M2 | Marconi 35′–40′ | Marconi rig, mid‑size |
| M3 | Marconi 30′–35′ | Marconi rig, smaller range |
| M4 | Marconi < 30′ | Marconi rig, under 30 ft |
| G1 | Gaff Rig 40′+ | Gaff rig, 40 ft or greater |
| G2 | Gaff Rig 30′–40′ | Gaff rig, mid‑size |
| G3 | Gaff Rig < 30′ | Gaff rig, under 30 ft |
| OCEAN 1 | Ocean 1 | PHRF‑rated yachts, 40 ft + |
| OCEAN 2 | Ocean 2 | PHRF‑rated yachts, 30–40 ft |
| FC | Farallone Clipper | One‑design (incl. with Ocean 2) |
| BIRD | Bird | One‑design |
| BEAR | Bear | One‑design |
| L‑36 | Lapworth‑36 | One‑design |
7.1. Separate scoring and awards. Each class will be scored independently for the purpose of determining its 1st‑, 2nd‑, and 3rd‑place trophies. A boat’s finishing place is calculated only against boats in its class.
7.2. Big Schooner Class — Special Provision
• Change to RRS 28.1: A Big Schooner shall start, leave each mark on the required side in the correct order, and finish so that a string representing her track would, when drawn taut, pass each mark on the required side. However, hitting a mark with a potato thrown from the Big Schooner will count as a correct rounding regardless of which side the schooner actually passes.
• Big Schooners may also use their engine for up to 15 minutes without penalty.
8. Courses
8.1. Course assignments. Each class will sail the course indicated below. All mark roundings are designated P (port) or S (starboard). Distances are approximate.
| Course | Classes | Route | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M4, G3, BEAR | Start → 12‑P → 16‑P → 18‑P → 24‑S → Finish | ~12.8 nm |
| 2 | M1, M2, M3, L‑36 | Start → 12‑P → 16‑P → 18‑P → BK‑S → 8‑P → Finish | ~15.6 nm |
| 3 | OCEAN (incl. Farallone Clipper) | Start → 12‑P → 16‑P → 18‑P → 23‑P → 17‑P → Finish | ~17.0 nm |
| 4 | BS, G1, G2 | Start → 12‑P → 15‑P → 18‑P → BK‑S → Finish | ~14.2 nm |
| 5 | BIRD | Start → 12‑P → 16‑P → 18‑P → 8‑P → 17‑P → Finish | ~15.2 nm |
8.2. Before the first warning signal the RC may alter the published course for safety reasons. If conditions deteriorate after a class has started, the RC will abandon the race by displaying flags N over A and announcing the abandonment on VHF 72. Once a class has started, the course will not otherwise be changed.
9. Racing Area and Marks
9.1. The racing area is on San Francisco Bay, beginning near the St. Francis Yacht Club and finishing east of Treasure Island.
9.2. The marks of this regatta are permanent marks of San Francisco Bay, YRA standard marks, and the Bob Klein (BK) mark of the Richmond Yacht Club.
Mark Descriptions
| Mark | Description |
|---|---|
| Start | Between the Race Committee Boat (orange flag) and Mark “X” |
| A | Limiting buoy – St. Francis YC Yellow Sphere (must be left to port at the start; not part of start line) |
| X | Golden Gate YC Yellow/Blue Sphere |
| BK | Bob Klein – Yellow Sphere (approx. 0.1 nm WNW of South Hampton Shoal) |
| 8 | R “4” Fl R 4 s (1 nm E of Point Blunt) |
| 12 | Little Harding Rock – G “1” Fl G 4 s (1 nm SW of Point Knox) |
| 15 | Easom (Yellow Bluff) – lighted yellow column buoy (0.5 nm E of Yellow Bluff) |
| 16 | Blackaller (Crissy Field) – lighted yellow column buoy (0.2 nm E of Fort Point) |
| 17 | Harding Rock – RG “HR” Fl (2+1) R 6 s (1 nm S of Point Knox) |
| 18 | Blossom Rock – RG “BR” Fl G 6 s Bell (1 nm SE of Alcatraz Island) |
| 23 | RW “A” Mo(A) (0.5 nm E of Quarry Point) |
| 24 | R “6” Fl R 4 s Bell (1 nm E of Quarry Point) |
| Finish | Between Race Committee Boat (orange flag) off NE Treasure Island and a temporary inflatable buoy |
10. The Start
10.1. The start line is between Mark “X” and an orange flag on the committee boat.
10.2. Mark “A” is a limiting buoy (must be left to port) but is not part of the starting line.
10.3. A boat shall not enter the starting area until five minutes before her scheduled start.
10.4. Starting Sequence (Modified RRS 26):
– 10 minutes before start: Yellow shape & 1 sound — Warning
– 5 minutes before start: Blue shape & 1 sound — Preparatory
– 0 minutes: Red shape & 1 sound — Start
Subsequent starts will follow in 5‑minute intervals.
10.5. Times shall be taken from visual signals; sound signals are a courtesy.
10.6. Postponement — General procedure (changes RRS 27.3 & YRA §11)
Signal and meaning
Answering Pennant (AP) — a long red‑and‑white vertically‑striped pennant — hoisted with two sound signals (horn or gun) means “Start sequence postponed.”
Resuming the sequence
1. When the course is clear the RC lowers AP with one sound.
2. Exactly one minute later the yellow shape and one sound are made — this is the new 10‑minute Warning Signal that restarts the full 10‑5‑0 sequence for the next group to start.
3. All classes that have not yet started will follow in their original order at 5‑minute intervals.
Revised clock times
If the RC also hoists Code Flag W (Whiskey
) — a square white flag with a solid blue square centered inside — it means the absolute clock times for every remaining start have been shifted; only the times change, the order of class starts does not. Any revised times will also be announced on VHF 72.
10.7. Late Starters — boats that miss their signal shall keep clear of the line and of any yacht in a starting sequence until they can start without interference.
10.8. Recalls (changes RRS 29) — The RC will make no individual or general recall signals.
10.9. Premature starts
a. If a boat starts early by less than one minute, two minutes will be added to her elapsed time.
b. If a boat starts early by one minute or more, she shall be disqualified (DSQ) unless she returns, restarts correctly, and keeps clear of boats in their starting sequence.
11. The Finish
11.1. The finish line is between an orange flag on the committee boat anchored east of Treasure Island and a temporary orange inflatable buoy.
11.2. All boats must finish north to south, leaving the committee boat to starboard.
11.3. Racing numbers must be clearly visible at the finish.
11.4. Upon docking, each boat shall deliver its completed “Record of Finish Form” to the T‑shirt table at Encinal Yacht Club.
12. Penalties and Infractions
12.1. Touching a mark — If a boat touches a rounding or passing mark, she shall promptly take one 360° turn (one tack and one jibe) to exonerate herself.
12.2. Breaking a Part‑2 rule without contact — When a boat fouls another without any physical contact, she shall take one 360° turn as soon as she is clear of other boats, but before the next mark or the finish.
12.3. Contact between boats — If two boats touch and no serious damage or injury results, the boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2 shall take a 720° Two‑Turn Penalty (two tacks and two jibes) as soon as it is safe to do so.
12.4. Serious damage, injury, or a foul that gains a non‑restorable advantage — The boat at fault shall retire (RET) immediately; a penalty turn is insufficient.
13. Time Limit
13.1. The time limit for finishing is 5:30 PM. Any boat failing to finish by this time will be scored DNF.
14. Protests
14.1. A protesting boat shall immediately display a red flag and hail or notify the other boat as required by RRS. The skipper shall also notify the Race Committee on VHF 72 at the finish.
14.2. Written protest forms must be submitted by 5:30 PM at the T‑shirt table.
14.3. Hearings will be held as needed and scheduled by the Protest Committee.
15. Scoring
15.1. The Master Mariners Regatta is a pursuit race scored within classes.
15.2. Each yacht is assigned a staggered start time based on the Master Mariners handicap system.
15.3. The order in which yachts cross the finish line within each class determines placement (first across = first place, etc.).
15.4. No time‑on‑time or time‑on‑distance correction will be applied after finishing; only penalties may adjust finishing position.
15.5. Time penalties that may be assessed include, but are not limited to:
– +1 minute for failing to fly an appropriate flag.
– +2 minutes for starting early by less than one minute.
16. Safety and Navigation
16.1. All boats must yield to commercial traffic and vessels with limited maneuverability. Failure to do so may result in a protest by the Race Committee or authorities.
16.2. A disqualification (DSQ) for a safety infraction is not excludable.
16.3. Restricted Areas (change to RRS 19) — Do not pass between the shore and:
– Anita Rock buoy
– The “H‑beam” west of St Francis YC outfall
– Alcatraz west‑end bell buoy
– Point Blunt bell buoy off Angel Island
16.4. Protests based on Vessel Traffic Service or commercial reports may be brought at any time; the protest‑filing time in RRS 61.3 is extended for these incidents.
17. Equipment
17.1. All boats must meet U.S. Coast Guard minimum safety equipment standards.
17.2. Additional safety regulations or advisories, if any, will be posted on the Master Mariners website or distributed as a written attachment before 5:00 PM the day before the race.
18. Prizes
18.1. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each class.
18.2. Perpetual trophies include:
– Lyle Galloway (under 30 ft)
– Billiken (gaff rig over 30 ft)
– Dead‑Eye (Marconi over 30 ft, non‑ocean)
– Baruna (Ocean 1, 40 + ft)
– Aloha (Marconi 2)
– Homeward Bound (Marconi 3)
– Kermit Parker (Gaff 2)
– Farallone Clipper (one‑design)
– J. Everett Hansen (Bird)
– L‑36 Trophy (Lapworth‑36)
– Gerry O’Grady (Bear)
– Longest Distance (farthest traveled on own bottom)
Attachments
- Course Marks — San Francisco Bay chart, visual reference only.
- Start Times — issued during the final week, check for updates.
- Record of Finish Form — deliver completed form at Encinal Yacht Club.
Contacts
Race Committee (race day): VHF Channel 72
Phone: 415‑272‑0391 (Bob Rogers)
Website: www.sfmastermariners.org
2025 Master Mariners Race Committee
Regatta Chair: Hans List, Commodore – hans.list@sfmastermariners.org
Regatta Assistant Chair: Gena Egelston, Vice Commodore – gena.egelston@sfmastermariners.org
Regatta Secretary: Hans Hansen, Secretary – hans.hansen@sfmastermariners.org
Reviewed for RRS compliance and updated April 2025. Draft v3.06 by Hans Hansen (April 29th, 4:30 PM)