Several things have to happen at different points in time to have a successful 505 event. The first is that the event has to be approved either ahead of time by the SSA BoG, or at the scheduling meeting held early each year. Typical events are dealt with at the scheduling meeting. A major event such as a World Championship, North American Championship and perhaps an East Coast Championship, for which we would require a 505-only event, should be discussed with the SSA BoG well ahead of time. Actually, those same events need sponsors, NoR, SI, etc. planned well ahead of time too.
Once the schedule drafts are being circulated, make sure you have the correct event name on the schedule and that the 505 event is properly listed as a club event or an invitational event. There IS a difference!
Very soon after the scheduling meeting is the "Tobacco Auction" where PROs are assigned. Do you care who the PRO is for a major 505 event? Yes, then line them up ahead of time, and have them bid on that weekend. Typically it will be a multi-class weekend (most SSA weekends are), so you need to discuss this with the other classes racing that weekend (see schedule, and then look up fleet captains on the SSA web site) and try to agree on who you want.
The next thing to worry about is a Notice of Race (NoR). For most events we would use the SSA standard SI, which includes the sorts of things that go in a NoR. See the standard SI!! The SSA Standing Race Committee prefers to not have us issue our own NoR, as it make introduce inconsistencies with the standard SI. However we can certainly circulate invitations which include any relevant information from the SI (just don't call it a NoR). See the ISAF suggestions on a NoR (BUT DON'T CALL IT A NoR). SSA provides standard trophies (glass mugs or silver plate plates) for club events.
If the event is an invitational, now would be a good time to consider trophies. A list of trophy providers is on the International 505 web site.
It is worth condsidering social events, and whether we need Feed Your Crew to cater some food, provide a keg of beer, or whatever. All alcohol should be arranged through Feed Your Crew. In addition to the snack bar, Feed Your Crew operates a catering service. In general, major invitational events would normally have some social events organized.
When we get a little closer, we need to consider the SI. You have read the standard SI by now, right? The standard SI has as defaults:
For some major 505 invitational events we will wish to write out own SI. This will typically only be possible for 505-only events. We can probably have this for NAs and Worlds, and maybe for East Coast Championships. See the International 505 Class Rules for the 505 Worlds SI template, a.k.a the Championship Standard Sailing Instructions. That is the best starting point. While you are there, you might as well check out the Championship Rules, except that if you are organizing a Worlds or NAs, you should have checked these MUCH earlier! You can also check the ISAF Appendix J for suggestions.
Club Event Versus Invitational Event
SSA categorizes events as either club or Invitational. Club events are generally less serious and if spring, summer or fall, get standard club trophies. SSA member's boats enter club events for free. Non SSA member's boats are charged $25 for the weekend, to cover gas and trophies.
Invitational events are generally more serious, with large turnouts. The club wants $15 per non-SSA-member boat. The club does not provide trophies for invitational events, and it is generally expected that the class or classes having the invitational charge an entry fee, so as to reimburse the club the $15 per non-SSA-member boat. Since the class or classes typically DO provide trophies for invitationals, they charge a higher entry fee to cover it.
SSA gets its cut for gas (Invitational) or gas and trophies (Club), from non members regardless.
SI Mods
One Throwout After Four Races
For the 505 Class only, SI 18 is altered as follows:
When fewer than three races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores.
When four or more have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
The above wording is from the ISAF SI template.
Gate Start
There are some varients of the gate start. For smaller fleets in less important events with gate starts, you can use a "gate start light". For more serious events, use the 505 Class Championship Standard Sailing Instructions (505 Worlds SI Template)
Note. If you use the gate start light, you should also read the "full on" gate start procedure, so you fully understand the differences.
For the 505 Class only, SI 12 is altered as follows:
NOTICE to Competitors in the 2003 International 505 Mid Atlantics
Modification to §12 of the SSA Sailing Instructions for 505 Class Only:
Starting:
At the discretion and request of the fleet captain, the 505 Class may utilize modified gate starts. The pathfinder (rabbit) for the first race shall be designated at the skippers’ meeting, and thereafter for subsequent races shall be the boat finishing fifth in the preceding race. If the fifth place finisher has already served as pathfinder, the pathfinder shall be the sixth place finisher, or the next finisher that has not already served as pathfinder. The sail number of the pathfinder will be written on a white board on the RC signal vessel. Within 20 seconds of the starting signal, the pathfinder shall round behind the starting line pin end mark on a close-hauled port tack course. The other boats shall start on starboard tack between the transom of the pathfinder and the starting mark, after the starting signal. All boats starting shall keep clear of the pathfinder. Any boat failing to do so shall be scored DSQ for that race and any subsequent re-starts. After 1 minute the pathfinder is released and is free to tack.
This notice affects no other changes to applicable provisions of §12 regarding the starting sequence.
505 Worlds Course
For the 505 Class only, SI 9 is altered as follows:
Modified 505 Worlds Course: Shall be signaled by code flag "W" (please bring to skippers meeting, or alternately, what code flag you would like to use). The course shall consist of a leg to windward, leeward, windward, reach, reach, windward, finish to leeward.
Scheduling Extra Races
For the 505 Class only, SI 6 is altered as follows:
replace 6.2 with
6.2 The Race Committee will endevour to run as many races as possible on each of the racing days, with no warning signals after 16:00 on Saturday or 15:00 on Sunday.
6.3 (delete)