Gate Start Procedure
1. Purpose
1.1 If the Race Officer and Committee Vessel are not present to run a conventional start, each fleet shall conduct a separate Gate Start (Pathfinder or Rabbit start) as described below.
1.2 This process is experimental on the East Patch. While not ideal, it enables evening racing to proceed.
1.3 For this to work, all boats need to carry at least a handheld VHF radio.
2. What is a Gate (Pathfinder) Start?
A Gate Start uses a moving “Pathfinder” boat instead of a fixed start line. The Pathfinder passes the fixed start mark, creating a line between its stern and the fixed mark.
The Pathfinder sails a steady course for a fixed time, after which it may tack and the line closes. Boats may start at any time while the gate is open. After the gate closes, no further boats may start. The Pathfinder also acts as Race Coordinator for that race and chooses the appropriate course.
3. Communication
3.1 All communication will be on VHF. All boats shall carry a handheld VHF radio and monitor Channel M / 37 before and during racing.
3.2 During a Pathfinder start, the Sonata Fleet shall switch to Channel M2 for the remaining duration of racing to avoid crosstalk and confusion between fleets.
3.3 A volunteer Race Coordinator and Pathfinder boat for each fleet shall be agreed by VHF before the start sequence begins.
3.4 Call signs: Handicap Fleet (includes White Sails) and Sonata Fleet.
4. Pathfinder
4.1 Acting as Pathfinder may give a small tactical advantage (clean air, freedom of manoeuvre). This role is undertaken in the interest of enabling racing, and any advantage gained is accepted as part of this emergency procedure.
4.2 A Pathfinder for each fleet shall be appointed by agreement of competitors via VHF prior to the Warning Signal.
4.3 The Pathfinders shall be clearly identified by announcement on VHF.
4.4 The Pathfinder may also be published on Facebook in advance of each race and identified again on VHF before the warning signal.
4.5 There is a separate “Pathfinder Race Officer” guide listing all required steps.
5. Course
5.1 The selected course for both fleets will be Course Board “D” (Windward / Leeward) using the designated Windward mark each round, and Mark Z to port as there is no Committee Vessel on station.
5.2 The course will be announced on VHF by the Pathfinder and shall be the course closest to the wind direction as defined on the course card column 2.
6. Starting Signals
6.1 Without a Race Officer, each fleet agrees a Start Time by VHF.
6.2 The start time should, if possible, match the main Sailing Instructions.
6.3 Standard timing:
- Warning Signal – 10 minutes before Start Time
- Preparatory Signal – 5 minutes before Start Time
- Gate opens as soon as the Pathfinder passes Mark ‘Z’, as close to 5 minutes after the Preparatory signal as sailing allows.
6.4 Timing announcements (equivalent to Flag Warning & Preparatory) are made from the Pathfinder boat by VHF.
6.5 There are no signal flags.
6.6 Sound signals may also be made if available on the Pathfinder boat.
6.7 Timing shall be by GPS / mobile phone clock and confirmed on VHF.
7. Start Line & Gate Procedure
7.1 Safety: Until the gate closes, the Pathfinder shall be treated as both a mark of the course and an obstruction. Boats shall not impede the Pathfinder and shall allow at least 5 metres room for other boats to safely pass astern.
7.2 At the Start Signal, the Pathfinder begins sailing on starboard tack on a close‑hauled course, leaving Mark Z to port.
7.3 All boats keep at least 5m clear astern of the Pathfinder, crossing the imaginary line between the stern of the Pathfinder (to port) and Mark Z (to starboard).
7.4 Mark Z serves as the fixed end of the start gate.
7.5 From the Start Signal, the Pathfinder becomes the moving (port) end of the starting gate.
7.6 A boat starts when all of her hull crosses this gate line from the pre‑start side of the course.
8. Gate Closing
8.1 The gate remains open for three minutes from the Start Signal, during which the Pathfinder continues sailing to windward on starboard tack.
8.2 After three minutes the gate is closed.
8.3 If all boats in the fleet have started, the gate closes automatically, and the Pathfinder is free to tack earlier than three minutes.
8.4 This may or may not be announced on VHF Channel M / 37A.
8.5 Boats failing to start before the gate closes shall be scored DNS.
9. Finish Line
9.1 Unless otherwise stated before the start, the Finish Line shall be between Mark Z (left to port) and a line at right angles to the direction from the previous mark, within roughly 10 boat lengths of Mark Z.
9.2 If boats are extremely close, their times will be deemed the same because determining the exact line position will not be possible.
10. Pathfinder Rights (Safety & Fairness)
10.1 Boats MUST stay clear of the Pathfinder until the gate closes. The Pathfinder shall be treated as both a mark of the course and an obstruction until the gate closes.
10.2 No yacht shall pass to windward of the Pathfinder on the same tack within the first three minutes of the start.
11. General Recall / Abandonment
11.1 If the start is unsafe or unfair (e.g., Pathfinder obstructed, major confusion, collision risk), a general recall shall be declared by VHF.
11.2 A new start procedure will then be agreed and announced.
12. Protests
12.1 Normal protest rules apply.
12.2 Protests shall be notified verbally via VHF as soon as possible to the Race Coordinator.
12.3 This shall be followed up in writing according to the main Sailing Instructions.
12.4 Competitors are reminded of the spirit of RRS 2 (Fair Sailing).
13. Time Recording
13.1 All boats (both one‑design and handicap) shall:
- Record their own finish time (GPS / mobile phone, HH:MM:SS preferred).
- Record the sail numbers of boats immediately ahead and astern, if visible.
13.2 Failure to record sail numbers will not automatically invalidate a finish but may be used to resolve disputes.
14. Declaration of Finish & Results
14.1 As soon as practical after racing, each boat declares their finish time by WhatsApp to Robin Young – 07 596 608 035 including:
- Boat name / sail number
- Finish time
- Boats finishing ahead / astern (if visible)
14.2 Failure to declare a finish time may result in DNS/RET at the discretion of the Organising Authority.
14.3 Results will be compiled from declared times. Discrepancies resolved collectively where possible; otherwise normal protest procedures apply.
15. Time Limit
15.1 The time limit is as stated in the main Sailing Instructions.
16. Shortened Course
16.1 If shortening the course becomes necessary, the fleet may agree by VHF to designate the next rounding mark as the finish.
16.2 Agreement and decision on this must be clearly stated and acknowledged on VHF channel M / 37A by the Pathfinder/coordinator.
17. Sportsmanship
Note 1 Facebook: For those without a Facebook account, the Eastpatch Facebook page is also available on the Home page of eastpatch.org.uk.