RC Boat Equipment and Operation

The Race Committee Boat is a SanPan pontoon boat.

Equipment storage

The radios are stored in their charging cradles in the Sail Loft. Take two, so you have a spare. Make sure that they are fully charged. Do a radio check.

The keys to the RC Boat and Chase Boat are stored in the lock box inside the Sail Loft door. You need to know the combo. Give the Chase Boat key to the stewards.

Equipment is stored in different compartments around the boat.

1. The mark anchors are stored under the forward port side bench seat.

2. Under the long port bench seat, we store the black race box (more on that below), binder, additional signal flags, the starting horn, a clock, course placards, and the course bearing board.

3. The fuel tank is in the aft port compartment.

4. Under the aft bench seat are an electric pump to reinflate the buoys, two PFDs, a throwable flotation device, an electronic flare signal, and the rescue tube.

5. The battery compartment is the aft starboard compartment.

6. The seat covers are stored under the forward starboard side bench seat.

7. The PVC signal flag poles are stored with one end resting on the aft bench.

The black race box contains:

1. First Aid kit

2. Air horn

3. Whistle

4. Hand bearing compass

5. Anemometer

6. A clipboard containing blank scoring sheets and Wind Record Forms

7. Pens

8. Rubber bands to wrap around the bottom of the clipboard to keep the paper from flapping around in the breeze

9. Wind stick (see the next chapter, How to Take Wind Readings, for an explanation of the wind stick)

10. Audio cassette and electrical tape for the wind stick

11. Tie wraps, if needed, to reattach the flags to the flag poles

The binder contains:

1. A copy of the “Sailor’s Guide to the Racing Rules”

2. A copy of the Sailing Instructions and NoR

3. A copy of the RC Best Practices

4. Additional blank scoring sheets and Wind Record Forms

5. The boat registration

Preparing the RC Boat

1. Remove the covers and stow them under the front starboard-side bench seat.

2. Remove the equipment you need from the storage compartments.

3. Check that you have all the required equipment.

4. The stewards will inflate the four large tetrahedrons and bring them to the RC Boat.

   • There isn’t much room in the Chase Boat.

   • They should take the anchors from the port compartment and attach one to each mark.

   • Two marks can be stored on the foredeck and tied securely.

   • The other two can be tied alongside the boat once you have left the dock.

   • They should be tied amidship so they don’t interfere with maneuvering.

   • When you are ready to anchor, place the marks that are on the foredeck into the water and tie them so they are out of the way.

   • The stewards will come and take the marks as needed.

5. Battery compartment:

   • Unplug the solar charger and stow it in the battery compartment.

   • Plug the starting horn into the 4-wire connector at the end of the brown wire. (Note that it may become tangled at the bottom of the compartment.)

   • Turn the battery switch on to BOTH.

6. The horn attaches to the wooden cross so that it will lie horizontally. It is placed on the stern of the boat with the horns pointing to the sides. You don’t want the horn pointing at you; it is very loud. Most of the power wire can be reinserted into the battery compartment, leaving the control box accessible.

7. Remove the clock from the port compartment and attach it to the top of the console using the suction cup on the back of the clock.

8. Visually verify fuel level in the fuel tank.

9. If needed, prime fuel bulb - (squeeze repeatedly until firm).

10. All electrical equipment and switches should be off.

11. Make sure the motor is down and in the water.

12. Turn the ignition key to start.

13. The docking lines should stay attached to the cleats on the dock when you cast off.

At the end of the day

1. Turn off the motor.

2. Leave the motor down in the water (this is better for the motor).

3. Turn the battery off.

4. Unplug the starter horn.

5. Plug in the solar charger.

6. Roll up the signal flags and place them in the storage bag to keep them dry.

7. If the flags are wet, don’t cover them with the bag; let them dry out.

8. Tie the flag poles with the line using a clove hitch to prevent them from moving

9. The stewards will return the mark anchors to the port compartment.

10. Make sure you remove the course placards from the bracket and the bearing board.

11. Store all equipment in the designated compartments, so the next team can easily locate it.

12. When repacking the black race box, place the clipboard first, so everything fits.

13. Put the seat covers back on. It is hard to determine which way the covers go.

    • The two forward bench covers have a “P” (port) and an “S” (starboard) on the bottom of the front of the covers.

    • The console cover is labeled “CO” on its bottom front.

    • The chair cover is labeled “CH” in the front.

14. If the fuel tank is low, let the stewards know and skip putting on the covers so they can refill the tank.

15. The signal flag poles are stored with the bag covering the flags on the aft bench, and the other end resting on the deck.

16. Bring the scoring sheets to the scorer.

17. Return the radios to the Sail Loft and plug them in.

18. Return the key for the RC Boat and the Chase Boat to the lock box on the Sail Loft door.

Next chapter: How to Take Wind Readings

Back to Best Practices