The message
from Walt contains these words:

T Smith wrote:
"Walt" wrote

Anybody know of a good description of how a rabbit start works? I know
it's not part of the IASF rules, but for imprompteau causal racing it's a
reasonable way to do the start.

I can explain it verbally (more or less), but I'm looking for a written
description to tack up on the club bulletin board so that everyone's on
the same page.

In particular, I'm not sure if a boat is entitled to "room" at the
rabbit.
I don't think so, but I'd like to hear any corrorabating or dissenting
opinions. Thanks.

A windward boat isn't entitled to room at the committee boat, they're
not entitled to room at the rabbit either. Sinking the rabbit is frowned
upon.

Thanks. That's what I thought.

It seems that rabbit starts are kind of like hide-and-seek - everybody
knows how to play, but nobody's bothered to write down the rules.
Actually, that's not entirely true; I've found a couple of descriptions
on the web, but nothing that I'd consider definitive. And there seem to
be several variations - when the rabbit can tack onto starboard, when
the other boats can tack onto port, whether the rabbit is forced to tack
at some point, etc.


Having read the last addition I think you are talking about what we in
UK would call a "Gate Start".

The GBR version of the RRS has an addendum to Appendix L which gives the
necessary Sailing Instructions for such a start.

We use the word "pathfinder" where you use "rabbit"

Try googling on those two new words. The RYA's website www.rya.org.uk
may have the SIs (I haven't tried because they are in my copyt of RRS)

Stuart