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The
Association of Model Barge Owners
(AMBO)
Incorporating
The Model Thames Sailing Barge Championships
Illustrated Rule Descriptions
The Course is decided by the Host Club, the water shape and the weather. At many venues the course is an ‘M’ shape of the Fast Electric or Power Race type but is actually infinitely variable.
The race direction depends on the wind and weather!
Buoys The course will be marked by buoys or similar marksand the direction round these marks will be communicated to the Skippers before the race either verbally or using the diagram on the ‘course board’!
The Start is the (imaginary) line between two buoys or markers.
A warning will be given of the time before the start of the race after the boats have entered the water. (Usually 1 minute). This will either be hand timed by the Officer of the Day (OOD) or by a taped countdown.
Any Barge crossing the start line before the Start is called, must return, and re-cross the line in the direction of racing after the start – without hindering / baulking any other Barges racing.
The Race To avoid mass snarl ups with the Barges crowding round the first buoy (B1) after the start, it is hoped that the start line will be of a sufficient length and a sufficient distance from B1 for all skippers to have assessed their line of approach, act sensibly and keep out of each others way!
There will of course be times when incidents do occur and it is hoped these will be sorted out amicably!!
Any Barge turning inside a buoy/mark shall return and round the buoy/mark correctly – without hindering or baulking any other Barges whilst so doing.
Any Barge hitting a buoy/mark shall do a 360° penalty turn before the end of the lap. (Except in the case of being forced into contact by an overtaking Barge – see next.)
If a Barge is forced into contact with a buoy/mark by an overtaking Barge in contact with it, then the overtaking Barge shall be deemed at fault and takes the penalty 360° turn before the end of the lap.
Turning into another Barge shall be deemed to be an incident requiring a 360° to be incurred and taken before the end of the lap.
Turning across the bows of another Barge and forcing an avoiding manoeuvre shall be deemed ungentlemanly conduct and require a 360° to be taken before the end of the lap. If such a manoeuvre is intended there must be clear water between the boats – and a verbal warning should be given by one skipper to the other before manoeuvring.)
Rudder Use The rudder should be used for turning only.
In light wind conditions a ‘flick’ of the rudder to one side – as an aid to initiating the turn is acceptable. Moving the rudder from side to side – ‘paddling’ – to gain forward movement, is not acceptable.
Accidental contact between two barges should not (generally) incur a penalty, unless one of the Skippers deems himself to be at fault and takes a penalty turn.
The one thing we do not want is to disqualify a skipper and call him off the water or ban him/her from racing.
The Finish of the race is the line between two buoys or markers as indicated prior to the start of the race.
The race shall constitute a number of laps (generally 2 or more) announced prior to the start of the race.
A barge shall be considered to have ‘finished’ the race when the furthest forward part of its hull crosses the ‘finish’ line after the announced number of laps.
(If racing in a mixed class then the bows shall be deemed the furthest forward part of the overall length for finishing purposes.)
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Scoring Point will be awarded relating to the finishing position in the race
1 point for 1st place
2 points for 2nd place
3 points for 3rd place etc
To qualify for the Championship finals a maximum of 12 points must be scored from 4 races at a minimum of 3 venues. The best score from each of the three venues plus the best score at any other venue will be counted.
A Barge scores the points, thus if a skipper changes Barges then a new set of qualifying scores start
for that Barge.