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Boat and rig specifications

Following a few years of very interesting racing, where we tried to define what a canoe should look like, we have adopted the altogether simpler method of only limiting the sail area allowed.

The result of this has been an even more interesting variation in the design of boats with some people using multihull, others using outriggers and others sticking with single hulls.

The amount of sail allowed is limited to 44 square feet and is measured using the generally accepted procedure of virtually all other sail racing organisations (The International Sailing Federation).  This measures all effective area by dividing the sail into easily measurable shapes (usually triangles and sometimes rectangles).  All sail sections (usually curved) even those lying outside the main shape are included rather than being only partially measured as in the American Canoe Association/International Canoe Federation's rather quaint, illogical and in some ways unfair system of allowing a large roach without much of it being included in the measurement.

Restricting the sail area and the wind speed in which OCSG races are started (no more than a Force 4 ie up to 16 knots or 18 mph or 29 kph or 8 metres/second) results in the amount of available power being limited.  We feel that this provides a prudent but still enjoyable experience and encourages boats and rigs to be sensibly prepared and sailed.  The advantage to gained by the use of high tech materials in boat and rig construction is also minimised which we believe to be a fairer strategy for all concerned.

Over the 2006 and 2007 seasons we have been trialling the allowance of extra sail area if there are two people on board. Initially this was to be in the form of a second, often mizzen, sail of around 14 square feet but we have recently relaxed this for 2008 to allow up to 58 square feet whether in one or more sails.

Sailing rules and procedures

Races are often started from a beach with sailors standing in the shallows ready to jump into their boats on the word go.  Where this procedure is impractical or would be particularly unfair on some racers we opt for a more conventional sail-racing start with a countdown of sound signals (usually 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute and go).

The rules used for conduct during the races are technically those of the International Sailing Federation (full rules available here).  We say 'technically' because most people are fairly laid-back about it all and as long as things don't get too unfair or dangerous we just get on with it and avoid slanging matches, let alone protests and so on.

Race courses vary greatly depending on the venue.  Some are long, lasting an hour or two over several miles round natural features such as islands.  Others are shorter round existing buoys or ones we put out and may only last half an hour or so.

There are also a number of races combining sailing and paddling skills where several laps of a short course must be completed using just sail power or just paddle power alternately.  These encourage good boat, rig and paddling skills as well as rig designs which are readily hoisted and lowered whilst on the water.