• Each boat may self-select their start with the exception of start assignment by the crew on the committee boat or in the case defined in the Finishes portion below. If you’re unsure what start you should be in, don’t hesitate to ask your committee boat to assign you a start!
• Before the beginning of the event please come by the committee boat and let us know your boat name, sail number, and what start you’d like to be in.

• We run time using a GPS clock. An app I would recommend using to ensure your clock is aligned with ours is AtomicClock: NPT (Apple Store Link)(Google Play Link)
• 1st Start @ 19:00 - Flying Sails
  • This start is intended to be for the fast boats with more highly skilled crew. You know which boats you are, make sure you self select to avoid the ire of the committee and fleet.
• 2nd Start @ 19:05 - Flying Sails
  • This start is intended for fast boats with crews that are still learning or slower boats with more highly skilled crews.
• 3rd Start @ 19:10 - Flying Sails
  • This start is intended for slower boats, whether that be due to boat design or skill of the skipper or crew, that wish to sail with flying sails.
  • A non-flying sails boat may sail with this start. Non-Flying Sails are permitted in this start.
  • For the purposes of Duck Dodge we will define a flying sail as a headsail that is flown forward of the forestay, commonly only attached with the clew, tack, and head of the sail, but also sometimes the luff. While a code zero is normally considered to be a flying sail, if it is hoisted (hanked on or in a foil) on the forestay or between the forestay and the mast Duck Dodge will consider it a non-flying sail. Let's be honest, if there is any argument against this definition, your boat should probably be in the 1st or 2nd start anyhow.
• 4th Start @ 19:15 - Non-Flying Sails
  • This start is intended for slower boats, whether that be due to boat design or skill of the skipper or crew, that wish to sail without flying sails.
  • Flying Sails are not permitted in this start.
• 5th Start @ 19:20 - Dinghies
  • This start is intended for Dinghy sailboats only.
  • For the purposes of Duck Dodge we will define a Dinghy as any boat under 20’.
  • The Harbor 20 fleet will not be permitted in the 5th start, which is nothing new.
  • A Hobie 21 catamaran would not qualify as a dinghy and maysail with any other start.

• The first three boats across the line from each start at the end of the posted course will receive a Duck Sticker, the color based on the order in which they finished. Once the first 3 boats in a start cross, we do not count how many other boats finished ahead of you.

• Cannabis Use (Non-Negotiable):
  • Lake Union is a federally controlled waterway. The possession, use, and consumption of marijuana is not yet federally legal. As such, we cannot permit the use or consumption of marijuana on the raft up. We don't want to be the finger waggers on this, so please don't make us. Wait to get stoned until you're not putting you and your friends at risk of vessel seizure and loss of permitting.
• Timing (Non-Negotiable):
  • Our permit allows us to anchor and raft, but we must comply with WAC 173-60-040 which does not allow noise after 10PM. Here is the timeline we will expect for the raft to break apart:
    • 9:40 - Warning Horn Blast
      • At this time music must be shut off and everyone heads back to their respective vessels.
    • 9:50 - Raft Begins Breaking Apart
      • All Skippers and Crew shall be returned to their vessels and prepared to break the raft apart. The raft will break apart from the ends and the ends only. DO NOT untie until the outermost boats away from you have cleared the raft.
    • 9:59 - The Committee Boat Will Have Weighed Anchor
      • Our permit does not allow us to be anchored past 10 PM.
    • 10:00 - Noise Ordinance
      • All loud noises coming from vessels must be ceased.
• Departure:
  • All vessels are to untie from the ends only. Only in the case of an emergency may a boat that is still tied on both sides break off of the raft. In this case the departing vessel is ALWAYS responsible for communicating and coordinating with adjacent vessels to safely depart and allow the adjacent vessels to retie to one another.
• Adverse Weather:
  • In the event of adverse weather the Committee Boat reserves the right to end the raft early. This will begin with the above listed timing schedule and a warning signal horn blast.
• Additional Information:
  • In the event of adverse weather the Committee Boat reserves the right to end the raft early. This will begin with the above listed timing schedule and a warning signal horn blast.
  Ensure you know the name of the boat you rode in on, it will make it much easier to get back to it if you lose its location in the raft.
  • Sailing is voluntary, not compulsory. The safety of boats and crews are the responsibility of each vessel's captain.
  • Each Captain is responsible for enforcing applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations on their vessel.
  • All vessels must have functional fenders and lines. Always coordinate fender placement and line configurations.
  • The anchored Committee Boat shall always be at the center of the raft, with the largest boats rafting to it first. When looking for a place to tie up, strive for there to always be an even number of boats on either side of the Committee Boat.
  • The Committee Boat and its crew are not responsible for damages or loss resulting from failure to comply with the above listed regulations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the race committee. We're here to make sure everyone has a fun and safe time out on the water.