JAM Racing

Download the 2008 EYCRF Application (.pdf) (Requires Acrobat reader)

PURPOSE

The purpose of the sailing fleet's FAMILY JIB AND MAIN division is to promote easy, low cost, fun racing that offers the thrills of the start, tactical challenges of the race yet minimize the heavy crew work and super competitiveness that spinnaker racing can sometimes require. The emphasis is on FUN. It is specifically intended to be a starting point for new racers. The FAMILY JAM CLASS offers you the ability to sail with your entire family including young children, spouse, friends, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Martha.

RATINGS

Contrary to popular belief, your boat's rating is not a mysterious number selected from the Earth Atlas of Random Numbers. The rating or handicap in our case is a seconds per mile time allowance that is multiplied by the length of the race. The product is subtracted from the elapsed time of the race to provide a finish time. The finish times are then compared to determine the winner in each class. This system allows boats of different size and speed to compete together and is generally labeled "handicap racing".

One provision that makes our FAMILY JAM CLASS low cost and easy is that the ratings are assigned locally by using the standard PHRF-LE rating for the boat without requiring boat measurement or an official measurement certificate as does the spinnaker fleet. Standard ratings are "borrowed" from the list of entered and measured boats maintained by the Lake Erie PHRF fleet. We need to know exactly what type of boat is raced to apply the correct rating. These parameters include exact model of boat, type of keel, engine, standard or tall rig and the maximum size of headsails and mainsail. We also need your sail number. A number on your sail is needed because the scoring software sort’s boats by sail number. Also the committee needs to know who you are as you cross the start/finish line, maybe three abreast. We can assign a number or an official sail number can be obtained from US SAILING.

SLIDING HANDICAP

A second provision that keeps our FAMILY JAM CLASS fun for everyone including new comers is the sliding handicap. After a race is scored, all boats that did not place receive a bonus in that the first three boats have their handicap reduced by 9, 6 and 3 seconds respectively and this change is cumulative for the season. These handicap adjustments require additional scoring efforts but are worthwhile since they tend to give all competitors a better chance to move up in finish position during the racing season.

CLASSES

The FAMILY JAM DIVISION is divided into classes determined by the race committee. There is no hard rule here however; a general guideline is the committee attempts to group sailors by their experienced level as well as to group the boats by size and speed potential. If an individual boat consistently wins in class, that boat and owner may be moved up a class. The intent is to be fair yet continuing to make the racing challenging and fun for everyone.

AWARDS

The FAMILY JAM DIVISION schedule has been broken down into several groups of three races. Each series of races is scored separately to give ample opportunity for boat owners to receive numerous awards and several other individual trophies. This series format also gives the new skippers and crew to meet and mix with the other racers at one of the many free award/deck parties!

COST

A $95 entry fee covers the entire season of about 25 races. Early Bird payment receives a $20 discount or just $75 that is about three bucks per race. Compare that to a day of bowling, golf or skiing. You already have the boat so this is a real bargain. It's CHEAP! If you're counting, that was reason #5 to sail in our FAMILY JAM CLASS. All those free pre-season events, post race deck parties, awards presentations, door prizes, free food & beverages and did we say FUN? But even cheaper is the

SPECIAL ENTRY FEE

Entry to the FAMILY JAM class for the year is a mere $25 for any NEW member to the fleet!

RESULTS

Skippers are often asked after a race, "How'd ja do?" We all are anxious to see the race results a.s.a.p. so be aware that the committee does it's best to determine accurate results quickly but dispite attempts to keep delays to a minimum, they do occur. You can do your part by reading and abiding by the race instructions and submitting your entry early with all required documents.

Unnecessary delays are caused by:

Late or incomplete registration. Entries should be submitted to the secretary, not the Race Committee.
Incomplete/incorrect/illegible finished forms that must be interpreted or corrected.
Uninformed skippers who start in the wrong start.
Sail numbers which are incorrect, do not match or are non-existent.
Boats entered with names that are different than painted on the hull.
Individuals who drop out of the race and fail to notify the Race Committee.

The committee will post results a.s.a.p. but would like you to join us after each race to debrief your race and meet with our other fleet members while the calculations are being made. If you have any questions about the results please call or e-mail. If you would like results e-mailed to you, just zap a request to be added to the e-mailing list. Note that the official race results will be posted on the fleet's notice board.

See you on the water!
Dave Heitzenrater
Scoring committee

SCORING QUESTIONS: e-mail: dddd@neo.rr.com or phone 814 454-0437

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