2025 Jean Ribaut Cup

THE JEAN RIBAUT CUP 

 SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025   

O R G A N I Z I N G      A U T H O R I T Y

Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA

N  O  T  I  C  E    O  F    R  A  C  E

RULES: 2.16.25

1. The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing, dated 2025-2028.
2. All boats must have at least two people on board.
3. All boats participating must have VHF radio communication capabilities and be insured with a valid third-party liability insurance policy.

ELIGIBILITY:

1. Catboats and Keelboats are eligible.
2. A “catboat” for this event is defined as a monohull sailboat fitted with a mainsail on a mast set well up in the “eyes” of the boat. A catboat that has been fitted with one or more foresails and bowsprit is also welcomed as racing handicaps will apply accordingly.
3. Catboats that are at least 15’ LOA are eligible.
4. REGISTRATION: Registration is required with payment, available through the BYSC Club Spot program. Sign in online at byscnet.com, go to Boating, Racing, Jean Ribaut Cup, Register. Complete Registration Form and send it along with a check for $35 made out to BYSC, mail to Frank Pontious, 15 Sunset Blvd. Apt. 1403, Beaufort, SC.

RACING OPTIONS (RO).

1. If winds are predicted to be less than 18k gusts in Port Royal Sound, racing will start in Port Royal Sound.
2. If winds are predicted to be more than 18k gusts in Port Royal Sound, racing will commence in front of BYSC and race to Port Royal Sound and back.

Courses will be discussed in detail at the Competitors’ Meeting.

SCHEDULE:  (Note: Sunday, April 13 will be an alternative date April 12 is not sailable.)

Friday, April 11, 5:30pm Competitor’s Meeting on the BYSC dock.

Saturday, April 12, The Jean Ribaut Cup. RACE OPTIONS (RO):

9:00am. RO A. Leave no later from BYSC to motor to Port Royal Sound for the first warning at 11:00am.

9:00am.  RO B. Leave dock for Warning for Race 1 in front of BYSC at 9:30am. The finish will be determined at the Competitors’ Meeting.

Additional races as determined in the Competitors Meeting and/or scheduled on the water during the day.                  

5:30pm: Social time at the Club with awards. Location: Pool Pavilion.

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS: Sailing Instructions (SI’s) will be available by May 31, online at the BYSC Racing section, posted on the Official Notice Board and available at the Competitors’ Meeting.

RACE AREA: 

1. Racing will be conducted in the Beaufort River, and/or in the Port Royal Sound generally between Hilton Head, Bay Point, Parris Island and the three nautical mile line offshore, (Chart 12516).
2. Based on weather conditions, a determination will be made at the Competitor’s Meeting whether the Jean Ribaut Cup will be sailed in Port Royal Sound or in the Beaufort River.
3. Either fixed government marks, drop marks or a combination will be used.

RACE INFORMATION:

1. Course specifics will be discussed in the SIs and at the Competitor’s Meeting.
2. Note that for all races the selected race course will be broadcast on VHF radio and posted on the RC boat prior to the warning signal.
3. Catboats and Keelboats may be started together and scored separately. To be determined at the Competitors Meeting.

TIME LIMITS: 2-1/2 hrs. Any competitor finishing more than 30 minutes after the first finisher will be scored DNF and be scored 1 pt more than the boats that finished within the time limit.

TIDES (BEAUFORT):           

Fri. 4/11 High at 9:03am, Low at 3:03pm.

Sat.4/12 High at 9:41am, Low at 3:38pm.

Sun. 4/13 High at 10:18am, Low at 4:12pm.

TIDES (FT. FREMONT):

Sat. 4/12 High at 8:51am, Low at 3:04pm.

DOCKING: Limited docking space is available at BYSC on a first-come basis.

INTERIM BOAT PARKING: Interim boat parking is available at BYSC between the Jean Ribaut Cup and the Catboat Rally (April 24-26) for those wishing to attend both events.

SCORING:

1. All races will be scored; there will be no races discarded. This changes RRS A2.1.
2. Final positions will be determined by awarding finishing positions in each race based on corrected time (Time on Time). Ties will be broken in accordance with RRS A8 Series Ties.

3. Note: One race completed will constitute a regatta.
4. Catboats and Keelboats entering the regatta will probably be scored separately although they may be a combined for an overall award. Details at the Competitors’ Meeting.

PRIZES: 

The Jean Ribaut Cup perpetual trophy will be awarded to the top finishing boat of the largest number of entries in Catboat or Keelboat classes. The Jean Ribaut Cruising Perpetual Trophy will be awarded to the other class. Keeper trophies will be awarded depending on the number of entrees.

CONTACT: Regatta Chairman:  Frank Pontious, 843-252-4900, fponti@islc.net

WAIVER.  

MUST BE SIGNED BY SKIPPER AND CREW.

Participation as a sailor in this event is inherently dangerous. The racing area is on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and Port Royal Sound possibly out to Navigation Mark G23. The ICW is open to commercial traffic that has rights of way. Additionally, the courses of the races are, at times, distant from shelter or quick rescue in the event of adverse weather conditions or other developments. Death or personal injury may occur.  

As the captain of the vessel described in the Registration Form for the Jean Ribaut Cup, I certify that I have read and understand and will comply with the cautionary language above and will be bound by the Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028. By entering this regatta, I waive all claims I may have against the organizing authority, the Race Committee, the Host Club, and the organizers of this event. I further certify that I will review this Registration Form with each person sailing with me as a Crew member and I will have each such Crew member read and sign the following paragraph pertaining to their waiver of claims in exchange for participation in this event.

Signature of Skipper__________________________

As a Crew member of the vessel described in this Registration Form for the Jean Ribaut Cup, I certify that I have read, understand and will comply with the cautionary language above and will be bound by the Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028. By participating as a Crew member on a sailboat entering this regatta, I waive all claims I may have against the organizing authority, the Race Committee, the Host Club, and the organizers of this event.   

                                           Signature of Crew member: __________________________