Course Board Examples
The following are examples of courses you may see this year, and how the
committee boat communicates the courses to the sailors.
These images are representative of the "Course Board" which is mounted on
the stern of the committee boat.
Example 1
One start. All boats sail a
"Windward/Leeward 2" course.
The top row
specifies columns - "DIV" means that all items below refer to the DIVISION.
"COURSE" means that
all items below refer to the course to be sailed.
"ALL" means that all
boats start at the same time. It is
commonly used for Friday Beercan races.
"WL 2" refers to the
Windward/Leeward course, as depicted in the sailing instructions.
Example 2
Three
Starts. Divisions 3 and 2 sail a
"Windward/Leeward 1.5" course and round an extra mark to windward.
Division 1 sails a "Triangle 1" course (and rounds the leeward-most windward
mark).
Finish will be at either upwind mark (look for the location of the committee
boat).
The "3, 2, 1" in the left column means that there will be three starts.
This is typical for "Yacht of the Year" races.
The "XM" means "extra mark". The
extra mark is typically a smaller orange buoy placed 1/4
mile (usually) from the primary buoy.
It is used to lengthen the course for the associated divisions.
The up arrow after "XM" means that the extra mark is upwind of the windward
mark. Not to be confused with a
down arrow (covered below).
Example 3
Three
Starts. Divisions 3 and 2 sail a
"Windward/Leeward 2" course and round an extra mark to windward.
Division 1 sails a "Windward/Leeward 2" course (and rounds the leeward-most
windward mark).
The important thing to note is that while all boats shall sail the same course,
an extra mark has been placed for divisions 3 and 2 (to windward), which makes
their course longer. The extra mark
is usually smaller or of a contrasting shape.
It is typically around 1/4 mile to windward of the division 1 mark.
Example 4
Three
Starts. Divisions 3 and 2 sail a
"Windward/Leeward 1.5" course and round an extra mark to leeward.
Division 1 sails a "Triangle 1" course.
This is similar to example 3, except that the extra mark has been placed to
leeward. In fact, this mark will be
set leeward of the start line, and will be visible during the starting sequence.
The extra mark is usually smaller or of a contrasting shape.
It is typically around 1/4 mile to leeward of the starting mark.
Example 5
Four starts. All boats sail a
"Triangle 2" course.
This example depicts four divisions, and four starts. This is a common course for the Labor Day Regatta. There are no extra marks, simple three-buoy course.
Example 6
One start. All boats sail a
"Distance" course.
This is used for "Distance Races".
Currently, the "Commodore's Cup" (a long-distance race from Hudson to Prescott)
is the primary use.