The Rabbit Start is used to start a race to Windward in the absence of a Committee Boat. At a prescribed time a boat passes a mark and heads off on Port tack. Other boats must pass behind the "rabbit" on starboard tack in order to start, as described in more detail below.
|
Position |
Signal |
Minutes
before start |
Sound |
Rabbit’s
Actions |
|
1 |
Warning |
5 |
1 long
sound (preceded by several short) |
Head
to wind in the immediate vicinity of the starting mark for 1
minute. |
|
2 |
Prep |
4 |
1 long
sound |
Falloff
onto starboard tack beam reach for 2 minutes |
|
3 |
|
2 |
1 long
sound |
Tack
or jibe; return on port tack beam reach |
|
4 |
Start |
0 |
1 long
sound |
Pass
starting mark to port, sail close hauled |
|
5 |
End of
starting sequence |
|
1 long
sound |
After
the Starting Time Period, tack to starboard (see note) |
Note: A
suggested Starting Time Period = the number of starters multiplied by six
seconds. A longer interval of up to ten seconds per boat may be used
depending on conditions and the number of starters.
The starting
line is the line between the port-end starting mark and the rabbit. A boat
starts when it crosses the starting line while the rabbit is on port tack.
After starting, all boats shall remain on starboard tack until the rabbit
has tacked to starboard. A boat failing to start properly may do so by
sailing to the approximate location the rabbit tacked to starboard and
make a 360 degree turn.
All times
are approximate. The absence of a sound signal shall be disregarded. This
modifies rule 26.