These gestures become very important in using the rules of sailboat racing. By using the gestures you can quickly and easily communicate with other skippers in a race. This becomes paramount as we use the rules more and more in our races.
Below is a listing of the broadcast gestures that are in the gestures package at SYC and their attendant meanings:
“STARBOARD” (meaning I’m on starboard, you are on port, give way)
“COME UP” (meaning we are on same tack but I am leeward of you and want to come “up” closer to the wind, so come up now).
“ROOM” (meaning we are on the same tack, I have overlap on you and need you to give me room to pass the mark or obstruction we are approaching).
“NO ROOM” (meaning you have not established an overlap on me before the two boat length, therefore you have no rights, don’t try to go in there or I will protest you).
“LET’S TACK” (meaning we are both on the same tack and both of us need to tack to the other side now. I can’t tack until you do, let’s do it!)
“PROTEST” followed by some indication who you are protesting. It can be simply a letter such as M for MarkTwain (meaning Mark Twain has fouled me and I protest).
“YES” (meaning I accept your protest and I will do my penalty as soon as I can clear away from the fleet). Note, this particular broadcast isn't in the gestures but is included here so that you can understand how to use it in a race. Just type it in.
“NO” (meaning I don’t accept your protest and will take your protest to a hearing if you don’t withdraw it at the end of the race). Note, this particular broadcast isn't in the gestures but is included here so that you can understand how to use it in a race. Just type it in.
Take time to set up these gestures and practice using them. It will make your sailing experience a LOT less hectic and a lot more enjoyable.
With the addition of a chat command for the spinnaker in Tako 3.2 we will soon update the Gestures package with some spinnaker commands.
