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ONBOARD CARD 01 — Start to Block Island

Phase: Race start through Narragansett Bay exit, past Block Island, first 50–80 nm offshore. Typical elapsed time: 0–12 h

TL;DR

Clean start > optimized start — clear lane beats pin-the-line with 200 boats.
Pre-assign every role before the gun; everyone physically touches their lines in the final 30 min.
No kite in the first hour unless drilled and crew is settled.
TSS routing requirement per current-year SIs — confirm compliance lane before start.
T+4 h: lane check vs comparable boats. T+8 h: pressure parity expected by Block Island.
Wake Watch Captain on wind shift >15°/>20 min; Skipper on any TSS/course-rule issue.

DATA TO CHECK

Before start: - Wind: current and forecast for Narragansett Bay and RI Sound (HRRR, NAM) - Sea breeze development timing (if light air start) - OPC surface analysis — front position if W-PF analog - Block Island Sound tidal current - TSS routing requirement per current-year SIs — confirm compliance lane

First 3–6 hours offshore: - Actual wind vs forecast: is the model right? - Pressure gradient building as expected? - Which side of the fleet has more pressure?

TRIM / SAIL

Wind	Sail	Mode
<8 kts upwind	J1	VMG — patient
<8 kts, 80–120° TWA	Code 67	Light reaching (J1 if tighter)
8–14 kts upwind	J1	Pointing — race hard
8–14 kts, 80–120° TWA	Code 67	Prime Code 67 range
14–20 kts reaching	A3 / J3	Pressure reaching
>20 kts upwind	J3 / J4	Power/survival

TACTICAL OPTIONS

Go with the fleet early — establish position, see who has wind, adjust
Favor left (east) — southerly pressure building from east; tighter angles benefit
Favor right (west) — Bermuda High fills from SW; rhumb-line boats benefit
Cover the threat — if one class competitor is clearly strong, cover early

RED FLAGS

Wind angle 20° different from forecast at start: reassess lane immediately
One side of the fleet has 3+ kts more pressure: don't ignore it
Front timing earlier than forecast: accelerate departure tactics
TSS violation risk: STOP and resolve before racing further

DECISION THRESHOLD

T+4 h: If chosen lane is 15+ min behind comparable boats, consider a conservative cross to reassess.

T+8 h: Should have pressure parity with comparable boats by Block Island. If significantly behind on corrected pace, something went wrong in the first leg — review before committing to offshore strategy.

ONBOARD CARD 02 — Offshore Approach

Phase: Block Island to ~34°N, first full offshore passage segment. Typical elapsed time: Race start +12 h to +30 h

TL;DR

First night offshore = sail conservative after dark. Smaller-of-doubt rule applies.
Watch handoffs must transfer situational awareness verbally AND in the log.
No kite hoist or douse at night unless drilled ≥2 times in daylight.
85–90% polar VMG is normal for race week 1 — benchmark improvement, not absolute polars.
All hands for any non-routine maneuver in the first 24 h.
T+24 h: reconfirm Gulf Stream entry plan — last chance for major routing adjustment.

DATA TO CHECK

Every 3–6 hours: - Actual wind speed/direction vs pre-race forecast - Boat speed vs polar target — within 8%? If not, why? - Current: GPS/log delta — any current sets from the continental shelf edge?

At ~36 h: - Is the Stream north wall where predicted? (use pre-loaded SST overlay if available) - Is the crossing window still the same? - Does the routing strategy need revision? - Brief Skipper on any change before committing to the offshore strategy.

TRIM / SAIL

Condition	Priority
Night, <10 kts	Conservative sail — do not chase marginal gains with kite in the dark
Night, squall risk	No kite at night in Gulf Stream region
Day, steady 12–20 kts	Optimize aggressively — this is the max-performance window
Building breeze	Downsize before overpowered, not after
Fading breeze	Upsize before losing pace, but not so early you trigger a needless peel

RED FLAGS

Boat speed >10% below polar target for >3 hours: check bottom (fouling?), sails (blown?), rig (anything loose?)
Wind angle making current routing non-viable: notify Navigator immediately
Crew health issue (serious seasickness, injury, extreme fatigue): assess watch strength; may need to simplify sail plan for next 12 h

DECISION THRESHOLD

At T+24 h — reconfirm or revise the Gulf Stream entry plan: - Is forecast-to-actual match good enough to trust the stream crossing plan? - Are boats on the other side of the fleet faster or slower than expected? - Does the current weather pattern suggest a different crossing latitude?

If all three: no change → proceed. Any one suggests a change → brief Skipper now.

ONBOARD CARD 03 — Pre-Gulf Stream Approach

Phase: Final 50–100 nm before Gulf Stream north wall entry. Typical elapsed time: Race start +20–35 h depending on conditions.

Arrive at the Stream entry latitude with the correct sail set, a confirmed current position, and the crew briefed and rested.

TL;DR

50-nm window = last chance for a calm sail change. Set the Stream-entry sail NOW.
Brief ALL crew on the Gulf Stream — wake everyone if necessary.
Pre-assign every crossing role before the north wall. Write it down.
Everyone eats, hydrates, takes anti-nausea med 1–2 h before entry.
Run the Navigator 50-nm checklist (SST + models + GPS/log + CAPE + ETA + brief).
Review the squall callout sequence before crossing the wall. Canonical 30/20/10 ladder applies.

DATA TO CHECK

At 100 nm from planned crossing latitude: - GPS/log current vector: shelf edge current helping or hurting? - Wind: gradient matching forecast for the crossing window? - Pre-loaded SST overlay: north wall where expected?

At 50 nm from planned crossing latitude: - Confirm entry latitude plan: still the right call based on current Stream position? - Confirm crossing wind forecast: what will wind be doing when you hit the wall? - CAPE check (if GRIB loaded with convective indices): squall risk in the corridor? - Crew status: who is rested? Plan strongest watch for the crossing.

NAVIGATOR CHECKLIST — 50-NM WINDOW

Run all of the following before crossing the 50-nm threshold:

[ ] Pull latest SST overlay (Windy SST, PredictWind SST, or NOAA GOES): confirm north wall latitude at your crossing longitude — has it moved since pre-race brief?
[ ] Pull latest model wind for crossing window: ECMWF and GFS; verify agreement within 5 kts; note any forecast convection in the Stream corridor
[ ] Confirm GPS/log SOG vs COG delta: measure actual current set to validate Stream north boundary estimate
[ ] Check for Loop Current eddy positions: warm-core eddies can add 1–2 kts favorable set; cold-core eddies subtract
[ ] Review SST at planned exit latitude (south wall): confirm exit into Sargasso is clear of unexpected eddies
[ ] Calculate ETA at Stream north wall: brief Skipper on timing (day or night crossing?)
[ ] Log current Stream crossing plan: entry latitude, exit latitude, wind forecast for crossing, expected sea state, contingencies
[ ] Brief Skipper and Watch Captains before entry

TRIM / SAIL

Reef #1 pre-rigged in mast before entering — keep it there throughout the crossing
Choose the Stream-entry sail and set it before crossing; avoid arriving mid-peel
J1/J2/J3 = forestay-track; changing requires a foredeck peel. If you might need J3 inside the Stream, transition to it now.
J4 = own furler (own halyard, 3-to-1 tack) — unfurl/furl, no peel. Option for heavy Stream conditions.
Code 67 = furls on sprit; faster deploy/recover than a headsail peel.

CREW PREPARATION

Sleep before Stream entry: Begin managing sleep rotation at 100 nm out. Protect rest for the crew who will be needed for the crossing. Do not let them stay up watching a routine offshore sail plan.

Crossing watch: Confirm before the 50-nm threshold. Put the most experienced helm in chop and the most experienced main/kite trimmer on. Assign a backup to every role.

Harnesses: On and accessible before crossing the north wall. Tethers clipped to jacklines on deck.

ONBOARD CARD 04 — Gulf Stream Entry

Phase: Approaching and entering the Gulf Stream north wall. Typical elapsed time: Race start +24–40 h Location: Approximately 36.5°N to 38.5°N (varies by year and route)

TL;DR

Set the sail BEFORE entering the Stream. A peel inside is the skipper's call, not a watch default.
Every crew member physically locates reef line, kite sheets, kite halyard, tack line, foreguy — in daylight.
First-time maneuver at night ≠ right time. Conservative sail; accept the speed loss.
Squall ladder canonical 30/20/10 (see crew_orientation.md — Squall Protocol). Pre-Stream: 30-nm rung is active trigger.
Adverse current >2.5 kts unforecasted → calculate bash-vs-deflect (Card 10 — Adverse Current section).
Wake Skipper when squall forces tactical hold or route change.

DATA TO CHECK

Before entry (SST gradient still >50 nm north): - Latest RTOFS/HYCOM current at entry latitude — direction and magnitude - GRIB forecast wind for crossing window - CAPE overlay if available — convective risk in crossing zone? - SST isotherm position from most recent imagery - Radar: any echoes within 30 nm W–SW–NW? - GPS/log: are you already seeing Stream influence?

At the SST gradient: - Sea surface temp every 30 min - Boat speed: 2–5% increase at entry is typical - Current experienced: GPS SOG minus log STW = current speed/direction - Wave character: chop increases if wind is opposing current

TRIM / SAIL

Before entry: reduce to entry sail; do NOT enter mid-peel; douse kite immediately if squall echo is developing.

Conditions	Preferred sail	Notes
SW 10–16 kts, reaching	Code 67 or A3	Code 67 at 80–120°; A3 if it broadens past 110°
SW 16–24 kts, reaching	A3 or J3	A3 if chop manageable; J3 if gear-shy
SW 24+ kts, any angle	J3 or J4	J4 at 28+ kts; reef ready
NW 10–20 kts, broad reach	A3	A2-1 only if running past 140°
NW 20–30 kts, running	A3 or SS	SS only if crew is confident
Light <8 kts	A1-1 or Code 67	Code 67 if tight angle; A1-1 if open reach
Upwind in adverse current + chop	J3 or J4 — conservative	Do not carry J1 upwind in Stream chop

TACTICAL OPTIONS

Enter on planned latitude — execute pre-race routing hypothesis
Enter early (north) — if current on rhumb is adverse and CCR western limb is within reach
Enter late (south) — if Stream has shifted north and current at planned entry is weak
Hold at gradient — if squall line or frontal passage is imminent (30 min or less); do NOT enter the Stream in that window

RED FLAGS

Radar echo within 30 nm W–NW: GET KITE DOWN. REEF #1 READY.
Water temp change >5°F in <2 nm: you are in the north wall — full crew awareness
GPS/log current showing adverse >1.5 kts: possible meander — check position vs pre-race Stream analysis
Wave height/period abruptly changes (steeper, shorter): wind-against-current — assess sail choice immediately
Log boat speed drops >1 kt unexpectedly: adverse current — are you in the wrong lane?

DECISION THRESHOLD

Adverse current >2.5 kts on rhumb, unforecasted: - Calculate: bash through or deflect 15–20°? - Run routing detour scenario onboard. If detour saves >2 h on corrected time, seriously consider it.

Squall threat forces hold at north wall: - Can hold up to 60–90 min south of the wall; costs less than a blown kite inside. - Brief crew: "waiting for the squall to clear."

ONBOARD CARD 05 — Inside the Gulf Stream

Phase: North wall entry to south wall exit. Typical elapsed time: 8–18 h inside (boat-speed and current dependent) Location: Approximately 35°N to 38.5°N (varies by year)

TL;DR

Default: hold the entry sail — a Stream peel is the skipper's call, not a watch decision. J4 / Code 67 furl if you must.
All crew on deck clipped in. No exceptions.
Squall ladder stepped from 30-nm to 20-nm rung at the north wall. Per-rung procedure in Card 09.
Track current core via GPS/log delta every 30 min; SST every 30 min.
Adverse >4.5 kts = meander or wrong lane — immediate Navigator attention.
Wake all watch on Stream entry, squall ≤20 nm, or SST change >5°F in 5 nm.

DATA TO CHECK

Every 30 min: - GPS SOG vs log STW: difference = net current vector. Record it — it should increase toward the core. - Water temperature: note at every speed change. Core is often warmest. - Radar: check for convective echoes; development can be rapid (10-min cycles) inside the Stream.

Every hour: - Course made good (CMG): are you being set? Compensating correctly? - Update dead reckoning for current set. - On track to exit at planned latitude?

Every 3–4 hours: - Compare observed current to pre-loaded routing analysis. If significantly different → what does this mean for exit latitude and strategy?

TRIM / SAIL

Core of the Stream: - Not the time for aggressive sail changes. Prioritize the sail that is working now. - If wind builds to crossover: go conservative and take the sail down now. - If you dropped reef pre-entry: resist shaking it out in the core.

Squall management (see also Card 09): - At ANY squall echo within 20 nm: douse the kite if flying. - Reef #1 pre-rigged in mast throughout daylight in the Stream; no exceptions at night. - A 15–30 min squall gust at 35–45 kts with a kite up can end your race.

TACTICAL OPTIONS

Track the favorable current core — steer to maximize northward set via GPS/log vector
Follow north wall — if CCR western limb: stay tight to north wall for additional favorable current before diving S
Cut straight south — if adverse current: get through the core as fast as possible; extra distance costs less than more time in adverse
Angle for exit latitude — if current is pushing you off planned exit, correct heading to compensate

Important geometry: The Stream flows NE. Heading south (160–180°T), the current adds a NE component to your actual position. You will be set ENE of your intended track if you don't compensate. Confirm GPS/CMG offset before entry.

RED FLAGS

GPS/log delta >4.5 kts adverse: meander or wrong lane — immediate Navigator attention
Water temp drops rapidly while in intended current zone: may be inside a cold-core ring — check position
Wave character shifts from running/reaching to steep choppy: wind-against-current developing — reduce sail NOW
Squall gust >30 kts: kite should already be down if Card 04 was followed
Any crew member showing extreme fatigue, confusion, or physical distress: all hands wake; safety first

DECISION THRESHOLD

Crossing taking >2 h over estimate: - Likely cause: stronger adverse current or wind shift. - Adverse current: consider angling 20–30° toward the favorable side. - Wind shift: update strategy for post-Stream leg.

Crossing faster than expected: - Confirm exit latitude is still correct relative to post-Stream plan. - Don't exit too far east or west of planned post-Stream waypoint.

Stream Crossing Log

UTC time	Lat	Lon	SST °F	SOG	STW	Current (calc)	Wind TWS/TWA	Notes
								Entry
								Core
								Exit

ONBOARD CARD 06 — Gulf Stream Exit

Phase: Approaching and crossing the south wall of the Gulf Stream. Typical elapsed time: Race start +36–55 h

TL;DR

Stay in Stream sail until water temp + wave state confirm you're out (20–30 nm into Sargasso).
Decision quality is degraded at hour 40+ — Navigator + Skipper own tactical calls.
WCE routing is a 20–30 min Navigator task — protect their time at the chart table.
Meander exit (T-ME): if bearing change to Bermuda >15° from pre-planned → exit now.
WCE check mandatory at exit using pre-loaded SST + altimetry.
Wake Navigator at south wall confirmation; Skipper if WCE routing change needed.

DATA TO CHECK

At south wall approach: - Water temp: watch for sharp drop (Gulf Stream 79–86°F; Sargasso 75–79°F post-wall) - GPS/log current vector: should be diminishing as you exit the core - Wind: post-Stream wind matching pre-race forecast? - Are you exiting at planned latitude or has Stream set you east/west?

At confirmed exit: - Record: exit latitude, exit UTC time, peak current observed, SST at exit - Compare to pre-race plan: faster/slower/different than planned? - Execute post-Stream routing plan.

POST-STREAM TRANSITION

Check immediately at exit: - Is there a warm-core eddy between current position and Bermuda? (pre-loaded plan) - What is the wind angle for the Sargasso leg — reaching, running, or upwind? - What sail does this demand?

TRIM / SAIL

Post-Stream winds often shift slightly or lighten. Common transitions: - SW reaching in Stream → lighter SE or E fetch to Bermuda - NW running in Stream → NW or W reaching to Bermuda (can be fast) - Post-frontal NW → may stay consistent through to Bermuda

Conditions	Sail
10–18 kts reaching	Code 67 / A3
8–14 kts light reaching	Code 67 / A1-1
18–25 kts reaching	A3 / J3
Upwind to Bermuda	J1 or J3

RED FLAGS

Water temp drops then RISES again: may be entering a warm-core eddy — check GPS/log current immediately
Post-Stream wind is 30° different from forecast: update routing picture; call Navigator
Crew severely fatigued after the Stream: simplify sail plan for the next 12 h

DECISION THRESHOLD

Meander exit check (if T-ME was the pre-race strategy): 1. Confirm current position vs pre-planned exit latitude (from T-1 brief) 2. Calculate VMG to Bermuda from current position — is it deteriorating? 3. Bearing to Bermuda has rotated >15° from the pre-planned meander-exit bearing (written on the route card at T-1 — not the rhumb heading, not the entry bearing) → exit now 4. Significantly east of rhumb and Bermuda is now upwind → exit now 5. "Stay in the current a little longer" temptation = how boats lose the final 100 nm

2024 reference: boats that stayed in the meander too long were set east and finished upwind to Bermuda.

Warm Core Eddy check (mandatory at exit): Using pre-loaded SST and altimetry, confirm exit latitude vs any identified WCE. If heading toward the adverse (western or southern) limb: adjust heading now. Every hour in adverse eddy current costs 1–2 nm effective loss. If pre-loaded SST/altimetry is unavailable: infer a WCE from (a) the GPS-vs-log current vector (a clockwise set = WCE), (b) the SST trend on the instruments, and (c) any Bermuda-heading change >10° from plan. If uncertain, route per T-WCE — usually pass west of the suspected eddy's center.

ONBOARD CARD 07 — Mid-Ocean Transition Zone

Phase: Post-Stream south wall to ~200 nm from Bermuda (approximately 31–35°N). Typical elapsed time: Race start +48–65 h

TL;DR

Fatigue is now a first-order tactical input — sail-change cost may exceed gain.
Resist over-management. VMG consistency beats constant intervention.
Navigator needs uninterrupted time at the chart table.
Rest windows > small speed opportunities. Final 200 nm needs alert crew.
Skip sail changes <0.2 kts gain or <2 h sustained.
Wake Navigator on persistent unexpected current; Skipper on wind <5 kts >3 h with fleet catching.

DATA TO CHECK

Every 4–6 hours: - GPS/log current vector: any persistent set in unexpected direction (warm eddy signature)? - Wind trend: fading, stable, building? Compare to pre-race forecast. - Boat speed vs polar target: significantly below → check for adverse current.

Key question: is the "Bermuda parking lot" starting to develop? - Wind <8 kts and fading with no forecast improvement in 12 h: likely yes. Accept it; do not burn crew.

TRIM / SAIL

Conditions	Sail
12–20 kts reaching	Code 67 / A3
8–12 kts light reaching	Code 67 or A1-1
20–28 kts reaching	A3
6–10 kts, S or SE wind	J1 / Code 67
<6 kts, drifting	A1-1 or J1, patience

If a sail change is worth less than 0.2 kts for less than 2 hours, skip it and rest the crew.

FATIGUE MANAGEMENT

Day 3. Crew has not slept fully on a boat they are still learning. Fatigue affects decision quality, sail change execution, and safety.

Watch rotation: - Maintain strict rotation; do not pull crew off rest for marginal opportunities. - Avoid all-hands evolutions unless maneuver is clearly worth >0.3 kts sustained. - If a watch is depleted and no urgent tactical need: let off-watch sleep longer.

Skip vs pursue: - Skip: peel between asymmetrics for <0.2 kts; sail change in deteriorating conditions with unclear gain. - Pursue: meaningful wind shift requiring gybe for >1 kt VMG gain; WCE detour Navigator confirms saves >2 h.

Signs of crew fatigue affecting performance: - Slow or hesitant responses to sail trim calls - Repeated questions about what we're doing and why - Unnecessary deck congregation at the helm - If you see these: simplify sail plan, reduce maneuver frequency, protect rest.

TACTICAL PATIENCE

Every hour brings you closer to a result largely set by the first 48 hours of racing:

Hold the plan. Unless Navigator identifies a meaningful change in wind or current, the routing plan from race start is still the plan.
Don't chase. Boats visible on AIS may be different classes with different corrected-time implications. Do not abandon routing to chase visible traffic.
One major decision per watch. Limit course/sail changes to once per watch rotation unless a clear opportunity or threat demands otherwise.
Commit. Once a decision is made, sail it fast. Re-litigating with tired crew is corrosive.

ONBOARD CARD 08 — Bermuda Approach

Phase: Final 200 nm to Bermuda finish (St. David's Head / Bermuda NE). Typical elapsed time: Race start +48–80 h (varies widely)

Bermuda approaches lose corrected-time results through late parking lots, misread final-miles conditions, and layline errors. Don't be those boats.

TL;DR

Stick to sails used this race — no new sail in dark final approach.
Layline commitment by 30 nm out. Navigator + Skipper call it together; not re-litigated.
Pre-brief approach before final 50 nm (waypoint, finish line, VHF channel, layline plan).
VHF watch mandatory in final 50 nm. Assign a dedicated crew member. Bermuda Radio (Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre) monitors VHF 16 — call on approach for inbound/clearance instructions; confirm the race-committee/finish channel against the SIs.
Bermuda sea breeze SSE 8–14 kts; wind shadow NW of island — avoid it late.
Park decision: wind <4 kts for >2 h in final 100 nm → accept loss; preserve crew.

DATA TO CHECK

At 200 nm to finish (post-Stream): - Wind forecast for final 150 nm (pre-loaded GRIB) - High-pressure ridge risk south of the Stream (W-BS or W-PL analog)? - SST in final 150 nm — warm core eddy in path?

At 100 nm to finish: - Actual conditions vs forecast: holding, fading, or building? - Are boats ahead (fleet tracker if available) parked or moving?

At 50 nm: - Bermuda local wind shadow and sea breeze - VHF range — listen for race office / safety broadcasts - Final sail selection for run to finish - Layline: not significantly below it with a wind shift risk?

BERMUDA LOCAL EFFECTS

Sea breeze: - Develops on days with light gradient; typically SSE 8–14 kts by early afternoon local. - Can provide useful pressure for boats approaching from N or NE. - May shift optimal approach angle 10–20°.

Wind shadow: - Light and variable within 5–10 nm NW of island in southerly flow. - Approach from E or SE can avoid this shadow. - Getting caught in the shadow late costs 1–3 hours at worst.

Approach principle: Approaching slightly windward of the island (upwind relative to gradient) is usually faster than running dead downwind into the shadow.

TRIM / SAIL

Final approach conditions	Preferred sail
10–18 kts reaching (typical)	Code 67 / A3
6–10 kts light	Code 67 / A1-1
18–25 kts broad reach	A3
Upwind final approach	J3
Light air drift (<6 kts)	A1-1 + patience
Building following sea	Consider GS over asym for control

TACTICAL OPTIONS

Favor windward layline — in reaching conditions, be slightly above; sea breeze or local shifts can force extra work if you arrive below.
Jibe for the favorable approach — if running, sail the hot angles (~135–150°) and gybe down to the layline; do not soak dead-downwind into the island's wind shadow.
Avoid the wind shadow — approach from E or NE quadrant if wind allows.
Don't park — if forecast shows a pressure band ahead, route to the windward edge, not the center.

RED FLAGS

Wind dying below 5 kts with no forecast improvement for 6+ hours: you are in a park — accept it; do not burn crew on frantic sail changes chasing 0.2 kts.
Boats you were ahead of in the Stream are catching up: either you parked and they didn't, or they found pressure you missed. Reassess angle.
Warm core eddy indication near 31–32°N: may be in adverse limb — check GPS/log current vector.

ONBOARD CARD 09 — Squall & Frontal Response

Phase: any time — most critical in/near the Gulf Stream · Warning: 15–45 min radar→impact. Objective: react early to protect sails + crew — do NOT outrun a squall in the Stream. Dousing early costs minutes; a blown kite or broach in the Stream costs the race.

TL;DR

30 nm = douse start, pre-rig reef, tethers. 20 nm = kite down + reef in + all crew clipped. 10 nm = all hands + hatches closed.
If squall drill wasn't completed: use the most conservative rung — treat any echo ≤30 nm as kite-down, no discussion.
Skipper calls maneuvers in a squall. If not on deck: Watch Captain has full authority.
After squall: 20-min wait before re-hoisting (watch for a trailing cell). Squall changes execution only, not routing.

DATA TO CHECK

Radar (mandatory in the Stream): sweep every 10–15 min; ANY echo within 30 nm W–NW–N matters; fast-growing = fast-moving — treat all Stream convection as violent.
Frontal (W-PF/W-CF): know expected timing + post-front wind; watch for backing wind, rising humidity, lower cloud base, smooth sea going lumpy.
CAPE (if GRIB loaded): >500 = elevated; >1000 = high — stay one sail conservative.

SQUALL PROTOCOL

30 nm echo detected:

[ ] Notify all watch
[ ] Begin dousing asymmetric/symmetric spinnaker if flying
[ ] Pre-rig reef #1 in mast (confirm already there)
[ ] Put deck crew in harnesses and tethers

20 nm echo or dark squall line visible:

[ ] Kite DOWN — no exceptions
[ ] Reef #1 IN
[ ] Move to smaller headsail if at crossover (J3 → J4)
[ ] All crew on deck or at stations
[ ] Assign jobs: helm, main, kite bag stowage, headsail

10 nm echo or lightning visible:

[ ] All non-watch crew called up
[ ] Hatches closed
[ ] Skipper woken (if not already on deck)
[ ] Helm: ready to bear away on contact

Squall contact:

[ ] Bear away if possible — keep wind aft, maintain boat speed
[ ] Helm: do not fight the boat; go with the gust direction
[ ] Crew: do not change sails in the gust — wait for it to pass
[ ] Main: ease traveler and sheet in gust; do not fight with the vang
[ ] Expect gust to peak 30–50 kts for 5–20 minutes

Post-squall:

[ ] Do NOT immediately re-hoist — wait 20 min to confirm cell has passed
[ ] Watch for second cell trailing the first
[ ] Assess damage: all sails, all lines, all crew
[ ] Set back up methodically: reef off → headsail up → kite decision

FRONTAL PASSAGE PROTOCOL

[ ] T-2 h: confirm sail plan works pre- AND post-front · Navigator updates routing · WC briefs crew.
[ ] At shift — expected rotation: ____° · post-front wind: ____ kts (fill at T-1 from the routing brief)
[ ] If not pre-filled: confirm new wind with Navigator (~2-min onboard call), hold smaller-of-doubt sail 30 min, gybe to new layline (tack if upwind). (RRS 41: onboard judgment only.)
[ ] Post-frontal: colder/NW–W, strong initial gust — don't over-sail the first 30 min, then re-optimize routing.

RED FLAGS

Gust >40 kts: attend to boat first even under bare poles
Green sky or hail: severe convection — put crew below except helms
Rapid 30+ kt wind shift without barometric warning: suspect squall line, not just a gust

ONBOARD CARD 10 — Tactical Scenarios

Rev: v1.1 · Updated: 2026-06-01 · Change: trimmed to one page (light / heavy / adverse current)

Light Air Shutdown

Trigger: TWS <6 kts sustained, expected to continue · Common: late race near Bermuda; mid-ocean W-PL/W-BS

TL;DR

Minimize crew movement — foredeck seated and stationary; no movement unless executing a task.
Pre-stage the transition sail before pressure fills; brief the expected fill direction.
Steer for the dark patches; ease halyards slightly (draft forward); don't over-trim.
A1-1 is the workhorse; Code 67 for mid reaching (80–120°), J1 for tight.
Wake Navigator if pressure fills from a new direction >6 kts.

TWS	Best sail
3–5 kts, any angle	A1-1
5–8 kts, reaching	Code 67 / A1-1
<3 kts	Accept drift; A1-1; patient

Red flags: sister boats catching >1 nm/h → trim/sail problem, not luck · wind filling from a new direction → pre-stage + brief the transition.

Heavy Air Reaching

Trigger: TWS >22 kts reaching/broad (TWA 60–140°) · Common: post-front W-CF/W-PF; strong gradient

TL;DR

Carbon rig fails without warning — reduce sail earlier than intuition. Reef #1 pre-rigged before 22 kts.
Main trim: vang hard, traveler to leeward, ease mainsheet — do not luff.
Wake all watch on spike >30 kts; Skipper on any structural concern.

TWS / TWA	Preferred sail
22–28 kts, TWA 80–120°	A3
22–28 kts, TWA 120–160°	A3 or SS (A4 only if ≥140°)
28–35 kts, any reach	J3 (kite down first)
>35 kts	J4 + reef #1

Kite down if: >26 kts sustained + disorganized seas · helm can't control the boat (immediately) · night + >22 kts + no experienced trimmer.

Red flags: boat speed >12 kts in confused seas → control over speed · shroud/runner vibration → check rig now · night + >25 kts → broach risk high on an unfamiliar boat.

Adverse Current Decision

Trigger: GPS/log delta >1 kt adverse, persistent >30 min · Common: north-wall approach, Stream crossing, WCE south of Stream

TL;DR

Detour calc is a Navigator task — protect 30–45 min; don't act on <15–20 min of observation.
Skipper + Navigator disagree → default conservative. Then commit and sail fast.
Wake Navigator on delta >1 kt persistent >30 min; Skipper on >2 kts adverse with >2 h detour gain.

Adverse current	VMG at 8 kts STW	Detour rule
0.5 kts	−6%	<1 kt → bash through
1.5 kts	−19%	>2 kts + zone >50 nm → 20–30 nm detour usually faster
2.5 kts	−31%	>3 kts + zone >80 nm → 40–50 nm detour worth calculating
3.5 kts	−44%	past halfway through the zone → stay the course

Red flags: SOG <5 kts while log shows 8 → >3 kts adverse, don't bash · same-direction adverse >4 h → a feature, not a transient · other-class boats making better VMG elsewhere → look at what they're doing.

PRE-RACE RESEARCH — not race-period routing advice

ONBOARD CARD 11 — Finish & Arrival

Phase: Crossing the line → docked and cleared in, Bermuda. Typical elapsed time: Race start +70–100 h.

DRAFT — confirm every race-specific value against the 2026 SIs / NOR before the start. This card scaffolds the standard finish-and-arrival sequence; the finish-line definition, time limit, race-committee channel, and clearance location are authoritative only from the SIs. Blanks = ____.

The race isn't over at the line — it's over when you're cleared in. A tired crew at 0300 still has reefs of hazards, a customs process, and a berthing job ahead. Brief this card before the final 50 nm.

TL;DR

Finish: off St. David's Head / St. David's Lighthouse (confirm the exact line in the SIs). Your YB transponder records the finish — but still call Bermuda Radio.
NE Bermuda is a reef field — North Rock, Kitchen Shoals, Mills Breaker. Hazards extend ~8–10 nm offshore. Do not cut the corner; sail the SI approach.
Bermuda Radio (Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre) monitors VHF 16 — call on approach; they coordinate inbound traffic through the reefs.
After the line: drop racing sails, engine on, motor to the clearance dock. Racing's over — prioritise control and crew.
Everyone stays aboard until Customs/Immigration clears the boat. Passports + crew list + boat registration ready.
Pre-clear Bermuda Immigration at Newport Race HQ (Jun 15–18) per the NOR to speed arrival — confirm hours.

FINISH LINE

Finish line: ____ (per SIs — typically between St. David's Lighthouse and a committee mark / transponder line).
Finishing at night is normal — lights on, VHF 16 up, call your sail number to Bermuda Radio / the race committee on ____ (confirm RC channel in SIs).
Time limit: ____ (per SIs).
Don't stop racing early: the line is the line. Sail through it, then secure.

APPROACH HAZARDS (read at 30 nm)

North Rock, Kitchen Shoals, Mills Breaker, Sea Venture Shoal — reefs ring the N and NE of the island. Many a boat has lost a result (or a keel) cutting the final corner.
Stay in deep water; make your turn for the finish/approach only on the SI waypoints + your plotter, not by eye at night.
After finishing, the run to St. George's / Town Cut also threads marked channels — follow the buoyage, slow down.

AFTER YOU FINISH (sequence)

Record + report — note finish time (your watch + the transponder); call Bermuda Radio on VHF 16 with sail number, POB, and intentions.
Secure the boat — drop and bag racing sails; engine on (engine use is fine once finished — watch lines near the prop); rig fenders + dock lines.
Proceed to clearance — Bermuda requires inbound clearance. Clearance point: ____ (per SIs — historically St. George's, Ordnance Island / Customs dock). Bermuda Radio will direct you.
Clear in — all crew remain aboard until Customs & Immigration release the vessel. Have ready: passports (all crew), crew list, boat registration, EPIRB/safety docs.
Berth — final berth per the race office (RBYC / Hamilton is race HQ; St. George's for arrival). Confirm assignment: ____.

WHO DOES WHAT

Role	At the finish / arrival
Navigator	Confirms the finish line + approach waypoints; logs finish time; has the SI clearance instructions up
Skipper	Calls Bermuda Radio; owns the clear-in; holds the crew/boat docs
Bow / deck	Sail drop + flake; fenders + dock lines staged before the channel
All crew	Stay aboard until cleared; passports ready

CONFIRM FROM SIs / NOR (fill before the start)

Exact finish line + RC/finish VHF channel: ____
Time limit: ____
Clearance dock + procedure: ____
Newport pre-clearance window + what to bring: ____
Assigned berth / marina: ____

Cross-reference: Card 08 — Bermuda Approach (tactics for the final 200 nm); Communications Plan. PRE-RACE RESEARCH — confirm all race-specific values against the official 2026 SIs / NOR.