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THE PSSA PROGRAM The Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association (PSSA), based in Marina del Rey, has established a racing program for both single and doublehanded yachts. The PSSA has, perhaps, the fullest single and doublehanded race schedule found on the West Coast. It has easy access to one of the best sailing areas in the continental USA. Five of the eight Channel Islands are within week end sailing range and offer interesting marks for offshore races. Point Conception serves to shelter the Southern California waters from the strong northwest winds which generally parallel the coast of California. Races normally start and finish off Marina del Rey. The overnight races are usually scheduled to take place near the time of the full moon which makes night sailing much more pleasant as well as safer.
For More Information: download the Official 2004 Dan Bryne Series Race Instructions and Forms. |
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PACIFIC SINGLEHANDED SAILING ASSOCIATION HANDBOOK THE PSSA PROGRAM for SINGLE AND DOUBLEHANDED YACHT RACES Divisions and Classes Originally, the PSSA races were exclusively singlehanded, but doublehanded races were added starting in 1982. This class has proved popular, and generally more boats sail in the doublehanded division than the singlehanded. There are apparent advantages in terms of convenience; the crew can get some sleep even when near shore or in the shipping lanes. A Mariners class was started in 1989 for those who prefer to race in a cruising class. In 1992 the handicap rule for the Mariners class was changed to resemble the Windjammers YC cruisers rule. Briefly, this rule continually alters all ratings by penalizing boats that perform better than the class average and rewarding those that perform poorer than average. The Dan Byrne Series consists of five races sailed around the Channel Islands of Santa Barbara and Santa Catalina as well as Bishop Rock on Cortez Bank. The series is named in honor of Dan Byrne, one of the founders of PSSA, its first Commodore, and participant in both the Singlehanded Transpac and the 1982-1983 singlehanded around-the-world BOC Challenge race. The experience of past seasons has shown the spring months to have enough wind to allow the boats to cover the race course distance in the space of a weekend. Also, during these months, the Channel Islands are particularly beautiful because after the winter rains they are blanketed with green grass and wildflowers. The race courses are designed to keep the participants away from shipping lanes and areas with considerable traffic, especially at night. All of the races start at Marina del Rey but most end somewhere between MdR and the LA/LB harbors. This allows the racers who keep their boats in harbors south of MdR to have a shorter delivery home on Sunday night. This series is named for one of our charter members who lost his life at sea. The series consists of five day races ranging in distance from 23 to 29 nautical miles. The races are held in the summer and fall months after the Dan Byrne Series. The Guadalupe Island Race The Guadalupe Island Race was originally designed as a qualifying race for the Singlehanded Transpac, sponsored by the Singlehanded Sailing Society in the San Francisco Bay area. In the 14 years since its inaugural run it has grown into a challenging and competitive event in its own light. While definitely not for the uninitiated, this 630 mile race, held in even numbered years, is a significant test of seamanship, strategy, and endurance. Eligibility The races are open to monohull sailboats from 20 to 60 feet in length. The PHRF rating system is used for handicap purposes. The required safety equipment list is patterned after the 1993 Ocean Racing Council of the IYRU. Membership in the PSSA, or indeed, any yacht club , is not required. If the yacht does not have a current PHRF rating, PSSA will establish a rating. Multihulls are welcome to compete but PSSA is, quite frankly, struggling with an equitable way in which to handicap these yachts. At the present time they compete in the Mariners class. Required Safety Equipment The standard safety equipment for PSSA minimum category 3, 2 for the Dan Byrne Series and 1 for Guadalupe Island; includes equipment specified by the Coast Guard for all yachts. ORC requirements must also be met which include selfbailing cockpits, sea cocks, lifelines, bow pulpit, fixed toilet, bunks, bilge pumps, anchors, radar reflectors, VHF radio, and liferaft. The liferaft may be an inflatable dinghy for the Category 2 and 3, provided it has been inflated and tested by the skipper throughout a 48 hour period during the week prior to the race. Because of the special nature of single and doublehanded sailing, PSSA requires certain equipment for these races, including safety harnesses and jackline, alarm clock or timer, and reboarding accessory. A mandatory safety inspection will be required for the most rigorous events, the Bishop Rock Race and the Guadalupe Island Race. Since safety is ultimately and inescapably the responsibility of the skipper, the purpose of the required equipment list is to prevent the prudent skipper from being penalized relative to a skipper who seeks an advantage by removing or not carrying the required safety equipment. Short Course Declared in Light Wind In past years, many racers gave up the contest because of light winds. That problem has been solved by a plan to declare a "short course", using VHF radio communications, in the event that the lead yacht has not reached a predetermined point by a specified time.
Scoring of series Both the Dan Byrne and the Dave Wall series span several months and the number of participants varies substantially over the course of the series. Consequently, the “High Point Scoring System” as described in the IYRU Racing Rules Appendix B2 paragraph 2 will be used. Under normal conditions the starting sequence will be as described in the IYRU Racing Rules Section 4.3 System 2. However, in the event that a start boat can not be obtained, a Rabbit start will be employed. This starting procedure is described graphically below. The "Rabbit" boat will be identified on marine VHF channel 72 during the check in process. Be aware that you have not officially started until you cross the line between the mark and the stern of the Rabbit. An Open Invitation to Race With PSSA If you are interested in these
races, you are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the PSSA at 8 pm
on the second Monday of the month, at Santa Monica Yacht Club, Mindanao
Way, Marina del Rey. Race applications and sailing instructions for the
next scheduled race will be available.
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