In a major move to simplify PHRF racing, USARULE has mandated the use of the new TONNAGE RULE. Long having been a rule of thumb on the water that "little boats get out of the way of bigger boats," the formal adoption of this rule into racing will replace all other rules and eliminate many if not all disputes when two boats meet on the race course. "Not only will this eliminate a lot of legalese jargon in the racing rules, but USARULE will save a lot of money by not having to print rules books. Every racer will still be required to purchase a rules book, he just won't receive any." grinned President I.M. Gawdlike over a glass of rare Bolivian Beaujolais. "This will also correct a lot of cash flow problems racers have caused us in the past. We tried the honor system before but it didn't work – racers would buy one book and share it, thereby robbing USARULE of crucial income needed for embroidered jackets. Now each racer will have to buy his own book because there won't be any to share."

This also will allow USARULE to concentrate more on their elite One Design Racing programs without the constant irritation of dealing with endless PHRF protests and appeals. "This allows us to ignore all those aggrivating local yacht clubs and PHRFers, who should be cruising anyway, and to concentrate on the One Design racing, especially on the east coast, which is where the only real sailboat racing is anyhow." says Gawdlike.

Gawdlike states that it's not just about who wins and loses anymore, but also a question of protecting the best interests of the PHRFers, some of whom have quite an investment in what he calls "racing Winnebagos."

"With the thousands of dollars at stake here, we believe it is in the boat owner's best interest, as well as a great step forward in rule simplification, to take matters of sportsmanship, fairplay and all that stuff out of the hands of amateurs like sailors, and put it into the hands of the professionals at the insurance companies where they belong."

USARULE contends that the new Tonnage Rule is also much more democratic way of solving racing disputes. "It takes racing out of the private little protest room and it into the best damn judicial system on the planet. God bless America!"

For the complete version and detailed explanation of the Tonnage Rule visit the USARULE website which is currently under construction.

...Nautical Enquirer Front Page
...48 North Home Page