Part II Authority & Responsibility
Part III Membership & Sanction
Part IV Contest Instructions & Course
A. A Predicted Log (Cruiser Navigation) contest is one in which the contestant predicts the time it will take his power cruiser to complete each of a number of legs comprising a given course. He then runs the course without benefit of a timepiece and other specified equipment. The contestant with the lowest percentage of error computed by dividing predicted elapsed time into the sum of the errors for each leg is the winner of the contest.
Contestants use published information such as charts, light lists, tide and current tables, and exercise their skills by minor modification of heading and speed to adjust for disturbing factors such as wind, waves, current, course changes for safety reasons, and navigational errors.
B. The acronym "NACA" used in these rules refers to the North American Cruiser Association. The term "regional association" used in these rules refers to formal organizations of member clubs in a particular geographic area (i.e. New England Cruiser Association, Western Lake Erie Cruiser Association, San Diego Cruiser Association, etc.)
C. The use of "shall" or "must" in these rules means that compliance is mandatory unless waived by the contest instructions, and a violation shall result in a penalty or disqualification as provided in the rules.
D. A regional association way adopt these rules in whole or in part or may use any other contest rules, however, the regional association must conform to the NACA requirements for NACA scoring and sanctioning in order for the contestants to be scored for NACA points.
A. Power Cruiser Minimum Requirements
1. Inboard Cruisers
(a) Nineteen feet in length.
(b) Two berths, head, sink, icebox or refrigerator, and stove.
(c) One inboard engine.
(d) Meet the requirements of the United States Coast Guard for cruising local waters.
2. Outboard Cruisers
(a) Sixteen feet in length.
(b) Sleeping, Sanitary and cooking facilities for two persons.
(c) One outboard engine.
(d) Meet the requirements of the United States Coast Guard for cruising local waters.
B. Equipment
During a contest each competing cruiser shall have on board the equipment required by law and the contest committee. Contest numbers approximately 14 inches high, or any dentifying number authorized by an association shall be affixed to the cruiser so as to be plainly visible from port and starboard.
C. Crew
During the contest, each competing cruiser shall have on board at least one person in addition to the contestant competent to operate the vessel.
D. Eligibility
To be eligible to enter a contest:
1. A power cruiser must conform with the requirements in paragraphs A. and B. above and with such additional requirements as may be established by the Contest Committee.
2. A contestant must meet the membership requirements of the regional association or club Non-member contestants shall be subject to such special rules as may be established by the contest committee or regional association.
E. Inspection
A cruiser must be made available prior to the contest for inspection by the contest committee if so requested by the committee.
PART II - AUTHORITY & RESPONSIBILITY
A. North American Cruiser Association (NACA)
NACA establishes and publishes the recommended Predicted Log Contest Rules, reviews contests to assure eligibility for NACA point scoring and MCA trophies, provides an MCA point scoring service for NACA trophies and publishes results to its members.
B. Regional Associations
Regional Associations sanction, authorize and schedule all contests in their geographic area, resolve any protests or appeals, and provide a point scoring service for regional trophies; forward the contest scoring reports to NACA within ten (10) days after the contest together with the sanction fee, certifying that all protests and appeals were completed and that the scores are accurate. Each contest is to be numbered consecutively.
C. Club or Group
The individual club or group sponsors each contest, designates the Contest committee, and makes its facilities available for the contest.
D. Contest Committee
The Contest Committee is responsible for planning and conducting the contest. It shall consist of a Chairman, a Scorer, such other members as may be desirable, and Observers on contestants' cruisers. Observers shall be nonvoting members of the Contest Committee. All matters relating to the contest shall be subject to the Contest Committee's approval and control, and all questions and disputes shall be referred to it for its decision.
E. Contest Chairman
The Contest Chairman shall be responsible for the proper performance of the Contest Committee under these rules and the policies and rules of the appropriate regional association.
F. Contest Scorer
The Contest Scorer shall insure that all computations leading to the actual percent error are correct and so certify on each actual log. He shall issue no scores until all observer notes of rule infractions and protests are resolved. Within ten (10) days after the contest, the Scorer shall send a scoring report to the regional association.
G. Observer
The Observer assigned to a contestant's cruiser is responsible for recording actual times at check points and noting any rule infractions.
PART III - MEMBERSHIP & SANCTION
A. Membership
A regional association's membership in NACA is required for the members of the regional association to participate in NACA point scoring and compete for NACA trophies. A clubs, group's or individual's membership in the regional association shall be at the discretion of the regional organization.
B. Regional Association Sanction
A regional association must sanction a contest in order that it be run under its aegis and for NACA approval.
C. NACA Sanction
NACA sanction of a contest is for the purpose of NACA point scoring and trophies only. Such sanction of a contest or a series of contests will be based on the receipt of the regional association's annual schedule of contests, scoring reports, scoring fee, and a statement with each scoring report as to course length and number of legs of 1/2 nautical mile or more. Scores reported are final and no appeal or protest will be heard or handled by NACA. A contest shall not be scored for NACA points unless there are a minimum of five starting contestants and unless the requirements of Part IV. 2.c. are met.
PART IV – CONTEST INSTRUCTIONS & COURSE
1. Contest Instructions
Contest instructions shall be prepared by the Contest Committee and submitted with the request for sanction to the regional association at least thirty (30) days before the date of the contest.
Contest instructions shall contain the following information:
a. Entry requirements.
b. Date and (if applicable) common point time.
c. Sponsor and sanction body.
d. Trophies perpetual and take home.
e. Contest Committee members and phone numbers.
f. Effective contest rules.
g. Date, location and time of contestant's instruction meeting and/or method of submitting predicted log.
h. Place and time of actual log delivery after the
i. Any special instructions regarding moorings, parades, communications, dinner, safety, etc.
j. Availability and assignment of observers.
k. Course check points description as shown on the chart, distance and side passage, total approximate contest distance, and chart numbers.
1. Rule changes not contained in the current rulebook.
m. For any deviation from normal contest practice, method for judging compliance must be included.
n. Instructions for communication regarding postponement or cancellation.
2. Contest Course
a. Charts
The contest committee shall lay out the course on official government charts using buoys, channel markers, lighthouses, range markers, or prominent points of land. The description of all checkpoints shall be exactly as shown on the most recent charts available.
b. Check Points
The start, control points, intermediate points and finish are checkpoints. Checkpoints must be completely described including chart number, name, type of light, type of buoy (bell, gong, whistle, etc.) and any other data required for positive identification. Checkpoints may be described by latitude and longitude.
c. Distance & Legs
The minimum length of the course shall be twelve (12) nautical miles and the minimum distance between control points shall be one-half (1/2) nautical mile. There shall be a minimum of four (4) scored (not blind point) legs with three (3) control points in addition to the start and finish.
1. Contestants and their cruisers shall be subject to all contest rules and conditions from five (5) minutes before the time of the earliest start, until five (5) minutes after the time of the latest finish.
2. No competing boat shall interfere with the fair start of another competing boat.
3. If competing boats are about to pass a visual checkpoint at about the same time, the outside boat(s) shall give the inside boat(s) room to clear.
4. The contest rules in order of precedence are:
a. The rules of the road in effect shall prevail at all times except as provided by rule 3;
b. Contest instructions;
c. These contest rules.
5. The observer is not under any circumstances to have access to the predicted times or predicted elapsed times nor is the crew allowed to know the time of day.
6. All predictions must be made by the contestant on the log form provided by the Contest Committee and the form must be submitted to the Contest Committee by the time specified. Predicted logs shall be signed by the contestant.
7. No means for determining the time of day or time intervals shall be allowed the contestant or crew during the contest, except the contestant may assign one crew member who has not had access to the predicted times to verify accurate recording of "mark" times on the log, together with distance from control points and side on which passed. This person, known as the Scrutinizer, may not communicate the times to any other member of the crew. If the Scrutinizer and Observer disagree as to any items, both versions shall be noted on the back of the log form.
8. No speed or distance measuring devices of navigational aids such as radar, radio direction finders, omega, omni, loran or Global Positioning Systems shall be used except in cases of reduced visibility while proceeding under the Safety Rule (rule 19). If prevailing circumstances and conditions cause reduced visibility that would affect the safety of the vessel or any other vessel, radar, if installed and operable, shall be used. Radar may be used at any tine the skipper deems it necessary for safety. The circumstances and time of radar use shall 11 be recorded on the back of the log and signed by both the observer and the skipper. The use of loran or any other electronic device whereby boat speed may be obtained directly or indirectly is forbidden except under conditions specified in the Safety Rule No. 19. Only those instruments that: measure and/or control the rate of rotation of the engine(s) or propeller shafts; measure and/or control the boats direction relative to the earth's geographical or magnetic pole; measure visual angles for obtaining bearings, either vertical or horizontal; measure the speed and/or direction of the wind; Autopilots and Depth Sounders may be used.
9. All contestants having VHF Radio shall monitor VHF Channel 16 during the contest, or other channel designated for international distress calling.
10. Deviation from a straight-line course shall be the minimum required for safety while maintaining the shortest distance between checkpoints.
11. The call "Mark" shall be at the time at which the checkpoint is first abeam while on course from the previous checkpoint.
12. The observer appointed to a cruiser by the Contest Committee shall not be a family member, a paid crew member, or a "permanent" crew member of the contestant unless approved by the Contest committee.
13. A contestant is encouraged to render aid if requested or needed. The observer is to record circumstances and times. The method of scoring shall be as follows:
a. Observer to inform contestant of time-out and running time of that leg. Contestant to make up time, if possible, or
b. Ask the Scorer to correct the actual elapsed time by the amount of the time-out.
14. A contestant shall not take time-out or know the elapsed tine on any stop, mechanical failure, or interruption except as provided in paragraph 13.
15. The passage distances for the checkpoints as stated in the contest instructions are maximum distances and contestants shall pass within these maximum limits.
16. a. If the actual start is not within 60 seconds of the predicted starting time, the difference between the actual start and the predicted starting time, expressed in seconds, shall be added to the total seconds error before computing the percentage of error.
b. If on the completion of the contest, the timing watch is off more than 60 seconds from the official time, then double the total discrepancy shall be added to the log error before calculating the score.
17. a. A contestant shall be disqualified for the following but subject to a protest committee's (see Part VII) decision that there were no extenuating circumstances.
(1) Using a timepiece, radio or any other electrical, mechanical or optical device for timing purposes.
(2) Using unauthorized equipment.
(3) Failure to comply with a substantive part of the contest instructions.
(4) Intentionally deviating from the prescribed course in calculating his predicted log or in running the course, for reasons other than safety.
(5) Turning in circles, stopping, or other maneuvers for reasons other than safety or breakdown.
(6) Fouling another boat or causing another boat to foul any other boat, mark, or obstruction, or to run aground.
(7) Running any leg of the official course after publication of the contest instructions.
(8) Violation of the Rules of the Road (COLREGS)
b. Penalties are established for the following and only the following:
(1) Part V, Rule 16.
(2) A contestant shall be penalized the percent of error shown for the following acts or violations. The penalty error shall be added to his log percentage error before handicap adjustment, if any.
(a) Using the radio to transmit or receive time of day information or any information that would afford anyone a racing advantage (may be waived by the Committee if no advantage was gained by the contestant). 3% or Disq.
(b) Failure to display racing numbers or other required insignia. 1%
(c) Failure to pass a control point on the specified side except for reasons of safety. .5%
(d) Failure to pass a control point within specified distance except for reasons of safety. .5%
(e) Failure to comply with any part of the contest instructions or any part of these racing rules for which no penalty or disqualification has otherwise been provided. 1%
(f) Failure to find and call any control point or intermediate point. In such event, the legs having in common the intermediate point not called or found shall be scored as a single leg and a 1% penalty shall be added to the log percentage error.
18. Should the Observer fail in the proper performance of his duties during the contest due to being incapacitated, or if there is evidence that he is not properly recording the log, the contestant nay appoint a member of the crew to serve as temporary observer for the balance of the contest. The temporary observer will prepare a signed affidavit that he honorably carried out the duties of Observer to the best of his ability. This affidavit, together with a signed statement by the contestant giving the reasons for relieving the observer, shall be delivered with the Observer's log to the Contest Committee at the finish of the contest.
19. Safety Rule
a. If a contestant believes that conditions have become unsafe because of reduced visibility or unusual sea conditions, he way invoke the Safety Rule by notifying the Observer that he intends to proceed under the Safety Rule until further notice.
b. After invoking this rule, the contestant may take all means he considers necessary for the safe navigation of his vessel including slowing, stopping, maneuvering and using radar, radio, or other equipment. The contestant may receive from the observer a signal when he has run a requested time from the last mark.
c. The Observer shall, to the best of his ability, list matters pertinent to the contest occurring during the time the Safety Rule is invoked, including the following listed items, and the contestant shall wherever possible advise the Observer as to the information to be set forth.
(1) Times during which the Safety Rule was invoked
(2) Navigational and operational action taken by the contestant.
(3) Time of use of radar and other navigational equipment
(4) The mileage scale used in operation of radar and identity of radar operator(s).
(5) Significant changes in direction during the use of radar other than evasive action or maneuvers for safety purposes.
(6) Estimated range of visibility, together with significant changes in such range.
(7) Sea and weather conditions.
d. The contestant shall as soon as possible, either during or after the contest, advise the Contest Committee that he has invoked the Safety Rule, and at the first opportunity after the contest he shall request approval: of his action.
PART VI DUTIES OF CONTEST COMMITTEE & OFFICIALS
1. Contest Committee
The Contest Committee shall be appointed by the club or group sponsoring a contest. The Contest Committee shall be responsible for planning, conducting, and judging the contest using these rules, regional association rules, contest instructions and, when applicable, other rules of proper authority. The Contest Committee shall consist of a Chairman, a Scorer, such other members as may be desirable, and Observers on contestants’ cruisers. Observers shall be non-voting members of the Contest Committee.
2. Contest Chairman
The Contest Chairman shall be responsible for the proper performance of the Contest Committee.
3. Contest Scorer
The Scorer shall insure that all computations leading to the actual percent error are correct and so certify on each actual log. He shall issue scores only when all Observer notes of rule infractions and protest are resolved. He shall deliver the results to the Contest Chairman as soon as possible, and to the regional association scorer within five (5) days after the contest. Any race with less than five (5) starting contestants shall not be scored for NACA points; however, contestants in such race shall be eligible for any trophies awarded by the host club.
4. Observer
The Observer shall:
a. Be recruited and assigned by the Contest Committee. Each competing cruiser shall carry an officially designated observer during the contest;
b. Have full knowledge of the Association rules and obtain from the Contest Committee the contest instructions and the actual log form. He/she shall use all the foregoing information in performing his/her duties;
c. Verify with the contestant that the official watch is set as close as possible to correct local time;
d. Report to the Contest Committee if he/she believes the condition of the crew or cruiser to which he/she has been assigned is such that running in the contest would be unsafe or fails the criteria established by the regional association and the Committee. If the Observer's opinion is sustained by the Contest Committee, an observer shall not be assigned until the condition has been corrected.
e. Immediately after crossing the starting line, ask everyone aboard to place in his/her custody all portable timepieces. The observer and the Contestant will cover and muffle a11 fixed timepieces. He/she shall insure that all time and distance measuring devices are covered, e.g. clocks, engine hour meters, speedometers, etc.;
f. Maintain and record a copy of the log provided by the Contest Committee, as follows:
(1) During the contest, handle the log form and the official watch so that no other person on board except the Scrutinizer will become aware of the log form's contents or the time of day;
(2) At each control including the start point at the call of "mark" record the hours, minutes and seconds in the appropriate space in the actual log;
(3) Note failure to pass any control or intermediate point within the required distance and on the correct side;
(4) Note on the actual log any failure by the contestant to see or call a control point;
(5) Record in the log facts regarding rule infractions, stops, rescues, assistance to other boats, time out/in, and tire of use of restricted equipment;
(6) Make such additional entries on the actual log as are pertinent, and sign the log in the required places.
(7) Personally deliver the actual log to the Scorer or other individual specified by the Contest Committee;
g. After crossing the finish line, return all timepieces and other equipment placed in his/her custody except the official time watch;
h. After the finish turn in the official time watch to the Contest Committee and verify that its error is accurately recorded on the log form;
i. Conduct oneself as an invited guest aboard the contestant's cruiser.
1. Protest Committee
A Protest Committee shall be formed by the Contest Committee and shall consist of three persons a chairman and two members. They shall be chosen from knowledgeable yachtsmen or experienced observers. The individuals chosen shall be disinterested parties, i.e., not a guest or an Observer on a cruiser protesting or being protested, or a contestant whose contest or seasonal point standing would be materially affected by the outcome of the hearing. More than one Protest committee may be necessary. The word "materially" as used herein shall be defined to mean "a reasonable possibility that the contestant's opportunity for obtaining a contest, contest series, or annual trophy or award will be affected".
2. a. A contestant may protest another contestant by alleging an infraction of a contest rule. He must make a written statement indicating that it is intended as a protest and outlining the pertinent facts and designating the contest rule or instruction violated.
b. The Contest Committee itself may protest a contestant as a result of Observer remarks or other data brought to the attention of the Contest Committee. The committee's allegations must be formalized in writing.
3. A protest must be submitted to the Contest Committee within the time specified for the submittal of the actual log form. If the facts upon which a protest would be based are not known at such time, then the protest must be made at such time as the protestor learns of such facts, but in no event later than the completion of scoring for the contest by the Contest Committee.
4. Upon receipt of a protest, the Contest committee shall notify the interested parties so that data and witnesses nay be made available at the proper time to the Protest Committee.
5. The Protest Committee shall convene in a timely manner, hear the evidence of the alleged rule infraction, essential witnesses, and the defense of the protested contestant.
6. If, after hearing all of the evidence, the Protest Committee decides that a contestant, beyond reasonable doubt, has violated a Part V contest rule or a substantive part of a contest instruction, he shall be disqualified, or penalized as set forth in the rules.
7. The Protest committee shall issue a signed statement setting forth their findings and decision. A copy of the statement shall be given to the Contest Committee Chairman and Scorer, who will submit it to the regional association and to the interested parties if requested.
8. A contestant shall not be disqualified or penalized without a hearing by the Protest Committee except that a contestant may accept disqualification or penalty without a hearing.
9. A Protest Committee way convene a hearing and render its decision in the absence of the Protestor or Protestee if he fails or refuses to appear at a Committee hearing after timely notice.
10. Under extenuating circumstances the Commodore of the regional association way authorize a protest to be made after the time limitation set forth in these rules.
11. A Protestee may appeal the decision of the Protest Committee to the regional association. On appeal, only the facts and findings of the Protest Committee may be considered. No new evidence will be allowed. No award of trophies will be affected by any decision of the appeal. The appeal should be directed to the regional association Commodore who with the Flag Officers and the Junior Staff Commodore will consider the appeal. If this appeals board contain interested parties, they must be replaced by yachtsmen mutually agreed to by the appealing contestant and the Commodore of the regional association. The appealing party must give notice of his intention to appeal within two hours after his receipt of the decision of the Protest Committee.
12. If an appeal is upheld, the regional association must correct the point standings for the contest.
PART VIII - SCORING & TROPHIES
A. The winner of a contest shall be the skipper who has the lowest percentage of error of all contestants. The percentage of error shall be computed by dividing the sum of the absolute (positive) values of the elapsed time errors on each leg, expressed in seconds, by the total predicted elapsed time in seconds and them multiplying the quotient by 100. In the event a discrepancy exists between the predicted clock times and the predicted elapsed times submitted, the predicted clock times shall be considered as superseding. For the purposes of computing the actual elapsed time for the first leg of the contest, the predicted clock starting time shall be used instead of the actual clock starting time.
B. The decisions of the Race committee will be final as to award of trophies.
C. A skipper shall be awarded points for each race entered toward season standings and trophies, except no points shall be awarded in any race with less that five (5) starters. Points shall be determined by the following method:
1. Points = 1,000 - 700 X (Finish place - 0.79)/(Number of Contestants -0.79)
2. The 'Number of Contestants" shall be defined as the number of skippers who, in the opinion of the Contest committee have started the contest course with the intention of completing the contest.
3. A skipper who started the contest but is unable to finish shall receive 300 points.
4. A skipper who is disqualified shall receive no points but shall be counted as a contestant for point scoring purposes.
5. The points shall be rounded to the nearest whole number as follows:
X.000 to X.4999 = X
X.500 to X.999 = X+l
D. In the event a tie exists in determining season standings or making other determination based on accumulated point standings, fraction of numbers shall be computed to the extent necessary to break the tie.
E. Qualification for the "500 Club" requires a contest score of less the 0.5% as a raw score without handicap in a contest with a minimum of four (4) scored legs (not including blind point legs scored as perfect legs), and a distance of at least 12.0 Nautical Miles.