Club Owned J/22 Program

BUFFALO YACHT CLUB

Club Owned J/22 -POLICY AND PROCEDURE STATEMENT

This statement of policy and procedure will govern the implementation of the Club Owned J/22 Program at the Buffalo Yacht Club. They are designed to provide for the equitable use by program participants and yet allow for the occasional use by the Club at large to promote the sport of sailing through individual use, special events, sailing instruction and regattas.

I. MEMBERSHIP USAGE There will be two levels of membership: Boat Keeper and General membership.

Boat Keeper Members:

There will be two boat keeper memberships. Intermediate, Active and Retired Active members are eligible for this level of membership with priority being given to Intermediate members. This membership will be awarded annually upon written application to the Board.

Responsibilities:

The Boat Keepers will be responsible for:

• Preparing the boat for launch in the spring, including wash/wax and bottom painting.
• Launching the boat.
• Stepping the mast, rigging and general spring commissioning.
• General maintenance during the year (including periodically washing the boat and bottom) and minor repairs.
• Fall decommissioning, haul-out and boat covering.

Fees:

There will be a fee of $500 which will be billed in four installments to the member's account.

Usage:

The Boat Keepers will have first right to use the boats for: weeknight J/22 class racing and for local area regattas. They also will have unlimited use (subject to reservations system) and will not be charged for each time of use.

General Members:

Any BYC member who has paid a participation fee and has passed a qualification certification may sail the J/22s on a reservation basis.

Fees:

There will be an Annual Fee of $75 and a use fee of $10 for each time block that a member uses one of the boats. These fees will be billed to the member's account.

Usage:

The General members will be able to reserve a boat for their use based on the reservation system and will be charged per use.

The Reservation System Is As Follows:

Time blocks shall be designated each day to allow morning, afternoon and evening periods when participants may use a boat. Specific times may be reserved (on a first come basis) by calling the Club Office on Monday each week and requesting the desired block. Time slots not reserved may be filled at any time during the week on a walk-in basis. Participants may take the boats out for longer time periods if no one has signed up for the following time slot.

Evening return times must be strictly adhered to. Sunset hours will be adjusted for spring, summer, and fall conditions.

Members must check the Club Log for blackout periods for scheduled races and special events. Race times are defined and posted at the beginning of the sailing season. Each year a specified number of days will be set aside for special events or regattas.

All participants are responsible for knowing checkout and check-in times. If a participant fails to arrive within 15 minutes of their start time, a waiting participant will be allowed to use the boat on a first come, first served basis, unless the original participant has communicated with the Club Office to ask for a late arrival time. Cancel your reservation as soon as you know you will be unable to sail.

II. QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

Participants will be required to attend a qualification session before being allowed to use the boats in an unsupervised capacity. These sessions will be conducted periodically for groups, and may be arranged on an individual basis by scheduling with the Program Director. Standards applied will be consistent with performance methods used in the US Sailing Keelboat Certification System.

Participants will be graded by skill level to assure maximum safety to participants and to protect Club property. Skill levels are as follows and are also subject to Weather Restrictions (defined in Section III).

"A" Skipper: may use a boat with main, jib and spinnaker.
"B" Skipper: may use a boat with main and jib only.
"C" Skipper: may use a boat with main and jib only.

Participants are afforded the opportunity to be upgraded at any time provided they are re-evaluated by the Program Director.

III. WEATHER RESTRICTIONS

Participants are restricted from sailing when weather is deemed to create conditions that are beyond the ability of a sailor to sail safely or cause damage to Club property. Limits in general are listed below, however, additional limits may be stipulated on an individual basis.

1. No participant shall use a Club owned J/22 when the wind is 18 knots or more. Should weather conditions become more severe while the boat is out, it is the responsibility of the member to bring the boat back in.
2. "A" Skippers may sail in conditions 18 knots or less.
3. "B" Skippers may sail in conditions 18 knots or less.
4. "C" Skippers may sail in conditions 12 knots or less.

Sailors are advised that it is your responsibility to accurately determine the wind and sea state conditions. The wind instrument in the Clubhouse may be used, although it reflects only conditions at the Clubhouse. Sailors are reminded that actual conditions on the lake may be more or less severe depending on wind direction and changing conditions brought on by weather systems not always immediately apparent to an observer at the Clubhouse. Weather radios, maps, and other aids should be consulted before making the decision to sail or not. It is the sailors' responsibility to adequately plan on dealing with the eventuality of light or no wind. Manual propulsion tools are supplied with the boats.

IV. MAINTENANCE AND DAMAGE

It is the responsibility of participants to avoid causing damage to the Club's boats through negligence. The Club will maintain the boats to the best of its ability to enhance the sailing and racing enjoyment.

It is the responsibility of participants to avoid causing damage to the Club's boats through negligence. The Club will maintain the boats to the best Adherence to checkout and check-in procedures will avoid unnecessary damage and loss of equipment. These procedures are defined in an attached Addendum. In general, however, members causing damage or loss to the boats are responsible to pay for repair or replacement up to the limits of the insurance deductible in effect at the time (posted and updated annually). Members' accounts will be billed for these costs. It is important to conduct an equipment and condition inventory before and after taking possession of the boat. Any problems should be reported to the Program Director as soon as possible. Safety problems shall be reported immediately and suitable warning posted on the boat in question.

It is the responsibility of participants to avoid causing damage to the Club's boats through negligence. The Club will maintain the boats to the best A file will be maintained for each boat and records of inspection and repair kept and archived. Damage to running rigging will be repaired as soon as possible. Minor dings and scrapes will be repaired with the least inconvenience to the program. Damage repair fees assessed against participants may appear on their bills before the actual repair is affected. Members will be notified by the Program Director of damage estimates. Disputes will be heard by the Board of directors when submitted in writing.

V. PARTICIPANT DEFINITION AND LIMITATIONS

A participant is defined as:

A member of the Buffalo Yacht Club who has paid a session fee and qualified for use of one of the Club owned J/22's; or,

A member's spouse if qualified with the program; or,

A member's child between the age of 15 and 19 who has completed at least one of the BYC Sailing instructional classes offered and who has demonstrated their ability to safely operate the boat.

A participant and family may only use one boat for one time slot. This means a participant and child may not use one boat while the participant's spouse and friend use another. Variations on the above scenario will be treated similarly. Exceptions may be made by the Program Director when deemed appropriate. Our intention is not to unduly restrict anyone, just provide for equitable use of the boats.

VI. SAFETY PROVISIONS

All persons age 19 and under must use US Coast Guard-approved life jackets while on program boats. This rule is strictly enforced. Standard adult life jackets are provided with the boats; however, it is the responsibility of parents to provide properly sized PFD's for children. While it is strongly recommended that adults over the age of 19 wear life jackets, it is discretionary. Nothing in this policy will relieve life jacket responsibility defined in the racing rules, state and federal law.

Should the program determine that VHF radios will be made available to sailors. Participants are advised to use all proper radio procedures when they are in the Club boats.

Participants are required to stay within the sailing boundaries established by the Club. They are: * Anywhere inside the break wall except north of the Ferry Street Bridge. * West boundary - Departure Buoy * North boundary - Area North of a line drawn between the Main entrance light and the Buffalo Harbor Sailing Club mark at Waverly Shoal.

• South boundary - South Gap.

The program director can make exceptions for the purpose of racing and/or delivering the boat to the Point Abino Station for regattas.

Participants will leave a cell phone number with the appropriate individual each time they receive a key to the locker.

Participants and under age 19 sailors will be required to sign a waiver of liability and hold harmless agreements in favor of BYC.

ADDENDUM-IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR J/22 PROGRAM MEMBERS

1. All members are required to check-in with the Dockmaster or Club Office prior to taking a boat.
2. Arrange with the Program Director to be certified before taking a boat out.
3. Reservations are accepted at the Club office. For day sailing, make reservations one week prior to coming down to the Club. Otherwise, it's first come, first served.
4. You may take a boat out for more than one consecutive time slot, except weekends and holidays.
5. Everyone should arrive back at the dock on time so that the member with the next reservation is able to get out in time.
6. Those who are more than 15 minutes late checking-in may forfeit their time slot to someone waiting.
7. If you require a late start time, for instance: 5:00 instead of 4:00 P.M., you must make it known at the time your reservation is made.
8. Wait list is first come, first served.
9. If you will be unable to sail, cancel your reservation as soon as you know.
10. As always, please leave your boat in shipshape order.
11. If there is any damage or you notice anything missing on your boat, please report it to the Dockmaster, Program Director and fill out a Damage Report.
12. The racing set of sails should not be used for day sail purpose.

ADDENDUM-SIGN-OUT PROCEDURE

1. 1) Obtain locker key from Dock master or Club office, the exact location will be indicated on the master calendar in the locker room.
2. 2) Obtain equipment from the locker.
1. Review equipment list.

Equipment List
Before going out, it is your responsibility to check the boat and equipment to see if anything is missing or damaged. Notify the Dockmaster before sailing. The following should be on the boat or in the locker.

• Pump
• Paddle
• Jib
• Main
• Spinnaker Pole
• Anchor and attached Anchor Line
• Spinnaker sheets and tweaker lines
• Winch handle
• Sponge
• Bucket, with line, attached to butt of mast.
• First aid kit, flares horn in a Dry bag.
• Four adult life jackets & a throw cushion. Parents shall provide correctly sized life jackets for children.
• Chart
• VHF radio (located in locker)
• Navigation Lights
• Flashlight

If you carry a cell phone while sailing, please give the number to the Dockmaster.

Getting Started
The main will always be rigged on the boat, check that all other gear and equipment is on board.

1. Remove sail covers, stow them under deck.
2. Release tiller tie-off and remove cover.
3. Attach main halyard, but do not hoist.
4. Hank on the jib.
5. Hoist main, hoist jib, cleat and coil halyard.
6. Cast off, set sails and have a nice sail.

While You Are Sailing
Sail only in the designated areas as shown on the chart and listed in Section IV. Watch for changes in wind and weather. Always allow enough time to get back to the dock unassisted. Call the Coast Guard for medical emergencies. Putting The Boat Away
Before you leave the boat:

• Secure main halyard.
• Mainsail: Ease outhaul and clew reef lines. Flake, tie and cover.
• Carefully pack spinnaker and stow down below.
• Carefully fold the jib and stow down below.
• Coil lines neatly.
• Please leave your boat as you would like it left for you, shipshape.

Return Key and Sign out/in form
Complete the Sign Out/In Form and hand it in with the key to either the dock master, club office or bartender. The exact location will be indicated on the master calendar in the locker room.

Damage Report
Please report any damage or missing parts by filling out a DAMAGE REPORT form located in the locker area.

J/22 CERTIFICATION FORM

The Buffalo Yacht Club uses performance standards outlined by the United States Sailing Association's Keelboat Certification System.

NAME:	LEVEL:
WIND CONDITION:	PHONE:

FAMILIARIZATION PROCEDURE: THIS PERSON KNOWS:

____how to get into the boat and where to sit
____what equipment is on the boat
____what all the lines are and how they are used
____how to hoist the mainsail and the jib
____how to put in a reef
____where the sail covers are stored
____how easily the boat skulls and how to scull backwards
____how to leave the mooring and how to come back to the mooring
____how to leave the dock and how to come back to the dock
____how to flake the main
____how to ship shape the boat
____how to secure the boat for the evening
____what to do if a squall hits
____the "rules of the road"

IS THIS PERSON CAPABLE OF (yes or no)

________cleating a line
________coiling a line
________tying a bowline and getting a tow
________getting away from the dock safely
________hoisting the main into the wind
________leaving a mooring
________tacking comfortably
________steering
________sailing upwind
________bearing off
________jibing
________sailing downwind
________getting out of "irons"
________landing the boat at the dock, sails down
________returning to a mooring
________using a spinnaker
________executing a proper man overboard recovery
________sculling the boat

SIGNED:_____________________________________ DATE: _______________

BUFFALO YACHT CLUB-J/22 SIGN OUT FORM

DATE _________________ BOAT NUMBER ___________

TIME OUT _________________ TIME IN ___________

Participant's Name ________________________ Skipper's Name _________________________

EQUIPMENT ON BOAT			EQUIPMENT IN LOCKER
OUT		IN	OUT		IN
_____	Pump	_____	_____	Sealed Safety Case	_____
_____	Paddle	_____		Flashlight
_____	Spinnaker Pole	_____		Navigation Lights
_____	Spinnaker Sheets	_____		First Aid Kit
_____	Anchor and Line	_____		Flares
_____	Bucket & Sponge	_____		Chart
_____	Life Jackets (4)	_____		Horn
_____	Winch Handle	_____	_____	VHF Radio	_____

Boat Condition - OUT _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Boat Condition - IN _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Comments______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

Participant's Signature______________________________

BUFFALO YACHT CLUB-J/22 DAMAGE REPORT

DATE _________________ BOAT NUMBER ___________
TIME OUT _________________ TIME IN ___________
Participant's Name ________________________ Skipper's Name _________________________

Description of Damage _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Skipper's/Participant's Explanation _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Participant's Signature______________________________