BELL LAWRIE SCOTTISH SERIES 2003

22^nd - 27^th MAY 2003

 Get an entry form

You are invited to take part in Scotland's premier racing event. Based on Tarbert Loch Fyne, the Series features a wide range of classes from non-spinnaker to sportboat, from IRC racers to local handicap and one designs, and a huge variety of races from an overnight feeder race (now unique in British sailing) to short windward-leeward courses. Scottish stockbrokers Bell Lawrie White sponsor the event for the fourth year and the range of racing and social activity promises to be the best ever.

Entry fees cover berthing alongside at Tarbert for the duration of the Series and entry tickets for all registered crew to the entertainment tent. CCC Ordinary members receive a discount on the entry fees. Details of CCC membership are available from the CCC office. Beware that an extra late entry fee of 50% will be payable for entries received after 21 April.

NOTICE OF RACE

1. Organising Club

1.1 The Bell Lawrie Scottish Series 2003 ("the Series") will be organised by the Clyde Cruising Club in co-operation with the Royal Gourock Yacht Club, Royal Scottish Motor Yacht Club, Royal Ulster Yacht Club and Tarbert Loch Fyne Yacht Club.

1.2 All entries and enquiries should be addressed to Clyde Cruising Club, Suite 101, Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington Street, Glasgow G3 8AZ. Telephone 0141-221 2774. Fax 0141-221 2775. email blss@clyde.org.

1.3 Details of the event appear on the CCC web-site - www.clyde.org. Entries will be accepted on copies of the entry form taken from the web-site.

2. Rules

2.1 The Series will be sailed under the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), the Prescriptions of the RYA, RORC IRC System, CYCA Handicap Rule, ORC and RYA Special Regulations and this Notice of Race all as modified by the Sailing Instructions. Yachts competing in the one design classes shall comply with the appropriate class association rules.

2.2 Under RRS 79, advertising Category C will apply.

3. Eligibility

3.1 Yachts shall have a valid IRC or Sportboat rating or CYCA handicap within the limits set out in paragraph 4.1 below. Separate starts will be given for yachts of the Sigma 33, Cork 1720 and Sonata one design classes.

3.2 Except for all Sportboat Classes, yachts shall have an IRC Stability and Safety Screening Number (SSSN) of at least 15 or be a standard type which normally has an IRC Base SSSN of at least 15.

3.3 Yachts having a CYCA handicap greater than 21.5 minutes will be accepted as entries only at the discretion of the organisers.

3.4 Yachts shall belong or be chartered to and be under the control of member of yacht clubs affiliated to the RYA or other equivalent national authority. On payment of the entry fee, the owner of each boat will be an associate member of Clyde Cruising Club for 2003.

3.5 The organisers reserve the right to refuse any entry and/or to ask all or any yachts to complete further undertakings or declarations before accepting any entry.

4. Classes

4.1 Yachts will race in the following classes:-

Class	Type	Handicap
1	IRC	1.075 and above
2	IRC	1.015 - 1.074
3	IRC	0.970-1.014
4	IRC	0.875-0.965
5	CYCA	11 - 15.50
6	CYCA	15.75-18.25
7	CYCA	18.50 and over - see 3.3
8	CYCA	Restricted Sail - handicap 6 - 12.5 minutes
9	CYCA	Restricted Sail - handicap 12.75 - 19 minutes
10	Sigma 33	One design
11	Sonata	One design
12	Cork 1720	One design
13	Sportboat	RORC/RYA Rule - maximum rating 0.950.

4.2 Classes may be altered, divided or amalgamated at the discretion of the organisers.

4.3 Yachts in Classes 8 and 9 will not be allowed to set spinnakers.

4.4 Yachts wishing to compete in a class other than that in which they have entered must notify the organisers in writing not later than 1700 on 16 May 2003.

5. Programme of Races

5.1Feeder Races - Thursday 22 - Friday 23 May

5.1.1 IRC Classes 1-4 and CYCA Classes 5-6 - Overnight Race Gourock or Bangor to Tarbert - start Thursday 19.00

5.1.2 Sigma 33 and Sonata Classes, CYCA Class 7 and Restricted Sail Classes - Day Race Inverkip to Tarbert - start Friday 09.30

5.1.3 Sigma 33 Class, CYCA Class 7 and Restricted Sail Classes - alternative Overnight Race Bangor to Tarbert - start Thursday 19.00

5.1.4. 1720 and Sportboat Classes - no feeder race

5.2 Inshore Races - on Saturday 24 - Tuesday 27 May each class will have a programme of Olympic, inshore, windward/leeward and trapezoidal courses. Yachts will be divided into three fleets. CYCA Classes will have one race per day (two on Monday). IRC Classes will have two races per day (one on Tuesday). All other classes will have two races per day.

6. Entries

6.1 Entries shall be made on the attached form. The entry fees include berthing alongside at Tarbert for the duration of the Series and admission for all crew members to all social events. Fees will be as follows (all amounts in Sterling):-

	CCC members	CCC non-members
Boats over 35ft LOA	£225	£250
Boats 25 - 35ft LOA	£160	£185
Boats under 25ft LOA,all Sportboat and Restricted Sail Classes and CYCA Class 7	£105	£125

6.2 Yachts intending to display advertising (see 2.2) shall pay a supplementary entry fee equal to the fee due under 6.1.

6.3 Entries received after 21 April shall pay an additional late entry fee equal to one half of the entry fee due under 6.1.

6.4 Entries will be accepted for the full series only.

7. Late Entries and Refunds

7.1 Entries received after 16 May 2003 will be accepted only at the discretion of the organisers.

7.2 If cancellation of an entry reaches the organisers before 16 May 2003 the whole fee except £30.00 will be refunded. No other refunds will be made except at the discretion of the organisers.

8. Responsibility and Insurance

8.1 The safety of a yacht and its entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner/skipper. The organisers shall not be liable for any loss, damage, death or personal injury, howsoever caused, to the owner, his skipper or crew as a result of their taking part in the Series. Every owner warrants the suitability of his yacht for the Series. Yachts shall carry insurance protection for third party and passenger liabilities of not less than £2,000,000.

9. Handicap Certificates, IRC Crew Limits and Registration

9.1 Yachts in the CYCA Classes shall submit a copy of their CYCA Handicap Certificate before the start of the first race of the Series. Yachts which already have a CYCA handicap but no certificate may obtain one on application to the CYCA.

9.2 Yachts in the IRC, Sportboat and One Design Classes shall submit a copy of their rating or Class Certificate before the start of the first race of the Series.

9.3 Modifying IRC rules, the maximum number of crew which may be carried by each yacht in the IRC Classes shall be the maximum crew number printed on the yacht's certificate PLUS 1. This variation applies also to yachts rated as one designs racing in the IRC classes but NOT one design yachts racing in classes for which a separate start is given where class rules will apply. There shall be no restriction on crew changes between races. Children aged 14 and under will not count towards the maximum number of crew.

9.4 Each yacht will be required to register at Tarbert before 0900 on Saturday 24 May when a crew list and an additional copy of the yacht's rating or class certificate must be produced.

10. Sail Numbers

10.1 In accordance with IYRR 25 and the prescriptions of the RYA British yachts shall carry a sail number from the RORC, RYA or CYCA lists. Other yachts shall carry a sail number incorporating appropriate national letters. Such sail numbers shall be displayed on the mainsail, all spinnakers and all headsails whose LP is 1.3J or greater.

11. Minimum Equipment Regulations

11.1 Yachts in CYCA Class 7 and the Restricted Sail and Sportboat Classes shall comply with RYA Special Regulations Category 5 except for the Feeder Race from Bangor (no Sportboats) which will be ORC Category 3.

11.2 Yachts in the Cork 1720 Class shall comply with their Class Rules on minimum equipment.

11.3 Yachts in the Sigma 33 Class shall comply with the minimum equipment regulations in their class rules except for the Feeder Race from Bangor which will be ORC Category 3.

11.4 All other yachts shall comply with ORC Special Regulations Category 3. In addition each such yacht will be required to carry throughout the Series either a liferaft complying with SR 4.19 of sufficient capacity for the number of crew carried in its first race of the Series or a dinghy suitable for use as the yacht's tender and able safely to carry that number of crew. A combination of liferaft(s) and dinghy will be accepted.

11.5 The Race Committee reserve the right to inspect any yacht to verify that the regulations have been complied with. Inspections will be carried out by Safety Equipment Advisers from the RNLI on behalf of the Race Committee.

12. VHF Radio Transmitter/Receivers

12.1 The Race Committee will normally announce individual and general recalls on VHF Channel M (157.85 MHz), 69 or 72. Special Regulations Category 3 now requires that yachts carry a suitable VHF Transmitter/Receiver.

13. Scoring and Prizes

13.1 The scoring system will be based on the RYA Low Points system adjusted to take account of the separate offshore races. There will normally be one discard.

13.2 Individual prizes will be presented in each class in each race and on overall points.

14. Sailing Instructions and List of Entries

14.1 Sailing Instructions will be sent to each entrant about 30 April or as soon as a yacht's entry is received if later. A List of Entries will be sent to each entrant during the week before the start of the Series and will incorporate any amendments to the Sailing Instructions made up to the time of printing.

15. Launching and Berthing

15.1 Facilities for launching and berthing before the Series will be offered by Rhu Marina (01436 820238), Kip Marina, Inverkip, (01475 521485), Largs Yacht Haven (01475 675333) and Clyde Marina, Ardrossan (01294 607077). A slipway for launching Sportboats is available at Tarbert. Craneage facilities will be available at Tarbert on Friday 23 and Tuesday 27 May. Boats requiring craneage should advise the organisers as soon as possible. Craneage costs are NOT included in the entry fee and are the responsibility of the boat owner.

16. Social and event clothing

16.1 A full social programme will be available including daily prizegivings and evening events.

16.2 Event clothing will be available before the Series and at Tarbert from Ocean World. Details are available on www.oceanworld.co.uk/scottishseries.

17. Accommodation

17.1 Accommodation in Tarbert during the Series is limited. Enquiries should be made to Tarbert Tourist Office (01880 820429) or Jane McDonald (01880 820075, email jane@mcdonald2711.fsnet.co.uk).