A New Twist on Sculling
by David Dellenbaugh

Rule 42: A new twist on sculling

Sculling is now defined as “Repeated movement of the helm that is either forceful or that propels the boat forward or prevents her from moving astern.” You are never allowed to scull except for two very specific times that are described in rule 42.3 (Exceptions).
The first exceptions (42.3d) is when you are sailing above a closehauled course and either stationary or moving slowly (as when starting). In this case you are allowed to scull to turn to a closehauled course. The second exception (42.3e) allows you to move your helm repeatedly to reduce speed. No longer are you allowed to scull the boat through a turn.

Rule 42 now includes a note that says interpretations of rule 42 are available at the ISAF website (www.sailing.org). When you go to the website, look for the updated edition of the “Rule 42 Interpretations Booklet.” This ISAF publication is invaluable for understanding the finer points of the rules about kinetics. I highly recommend this booklet for learning more about sculling and all other propulsion subjects.

There is now only one situation when you are allowed to scull forcefully to turn your boat. This often happens when you’re luffing on the starting line, or if you get caught in irons. Before sculling, you have to meet the following conditions: 1) you must be sailing above a closehauled course; and 2) You must be either stationary or moving slowly. If both conditions apply, you may scull to turn to a closehauled course. Once you reach closehauled, you are no longer permitted to scull. You are not permitted to use sculling to propel your boat forward or prevent it from moving backward. However, rule 42.3(e) says you may repeatedly move your helm to reduce speed. This is sculling in reverse, and it requires a different rudder motion than you’d use to move forward. One place where it might be useful is when you’re clear astern and trying to avoid getting a late inside overlap near a mark.

When a boat loses steerageway, can she scull to round a mark? The old rule defined sculling as “repeated movement of the helm not necessary for steering (e.g. when rounding a mark in light air), this wasn’t considered sculling (even if it was forceful), and it was permitted. The new rules, however, are different. Repeated movement of the helm that was forceful is not permitted unless you are sailing above closehauled. At a leeward or jibe mark, you could move your fudder repeatedly to help turn around it, but you can never do this in a way that is ‘forceful’ or that propels you forward at all.

Rule 41: Defining ‘outside help’

The question of receiving outside help while racing can be a tricky one, and rule 41 has been revised in an attempt to create a clearer and more enforceable rule. The old rule 41 covered most of the obvious infractions fairly well. It was clear, for example, that you could not get advice from your coach in the middle of a race. But there were also many grey areas. Was it permissible to receive weather information from a VHF radio? Was it OK if a competitor told you about a line dragging off your stern? And so on.

The new rule 41 has been broadened to permit sailors to receive two new kinds of outside help. The first is “information freely available to all boats.” This makes it OK, for example, to listen to public weather broadcasts (assuming you are permitted to have a radio).

The second new type of permissible outside help is “unsolicited information from a disinterested source...” Note that this help must meet two conditions. First, it has to be “unsolicited,” which means you cannot seek out such help - it just has to happen. And second, the help must come from someone who is “disinterested.” The dictionary defines disinterested as “free from selfish motive or interest.” So it’s OK to receive help from someone unless they are acting in their own self-interest. This automatically rules out help-givers like coaches and parents.

Dave publishes the newsletter Speed & Smarts. For a subscription call: 800-356-2200 or go to www.speedandsmarts.com.