The Rabbit Start
The “Rabbit Start” is a method for starting a race without an anchored start boat. By using this method of starting, all boats
can participate in the start, and all boats, including the ROD, have an opportunity to start within a few seconds of one
another. The ROD does not need to play “catch up” to the fleet. The fundamental concept is that all boats start on
starboard tack by ducking a designated “Rabbit” after the Rabbit passes just below the designated start mark on port tack.
Narrative Description of the Rabbit Start:
The designated start mark will normally be mark “Yankee”. The Rabbit sails in the area of the designated start mark and a
few seconds before 0955, provides a warning signal by making a series of short horn blasts to get everyone’s attention, then
sounds one long horn blast at 0955. The long blast indicates approximately 5 minutes until the beginning of the start
period. The rabbit positions himself just to windward of the starting mark, and at approximately 0956, the Rabbit makes
four long horn blasts, the last of which signifies that there are approximately 4 minutes until the start, and begins a
starboard-tack beam reach away from the start mark. Two minutes later, the Rabbit sounds two long horn blasts and tacks
or gybes onto a port-tack beam reach, heading back toward the starting mark. The latter of these two horn blasts indicate
that there are approximately two minutes before the beginning of the starting period. On port tack, the Rabbit passes close
abeam to the starting mark, leaving it to port, and immediately comes onto a close-hauled port tack course. The moment
the stern of the Rabbit passes the starting mark, the Rabbit sounds one long horn blast indicating that the starting period has
begun. The Rabbit holds this port tack close-hauled course until the starting period expires. All other boats are required to
sail across the stern of the Rabbit while they remain on starboard tack. The starting period expires after 90 seconds (1.5
minutes). At the end of the starting period, the Rabbit sounds one long horn blast and tacks to starboard.
Important Prescriptions:
• The starting line is the line between the starting mark and the Rabbit.
• All other boats must start some time during the 90 seconds after the Rabbit passes the start mark and sounds the horn,
and they must remain on starboard tack until the Rabbit tacks to starboard and sounds another horn blast.
• A boat has started properly, if while on starboard tack, the foremost part of the boat (in normal position) crosses the
track of the Rabbit during the starting period. The entire boat does not need to have crossed the track of the Rabbit by
the end of the starting period, but some part of the boat must have done so.
• In the event that one or more boats fail to start properly within the time limit, the Rabbit shall fly code flag “X” with
one sound. The Rabbit shall also attempt to hail the offending boat by VHF radio.
• At the end of the starting period, any boat that has not yet broken the track of the Rabbit has failed to start properly,
and is required to sail to the approximate location where the Rabbit tacked and make one turn, including one tack and
one gybe. At this point, the boat that failed to start properly is exonerated and may continue the race.
• Until the Rabbit has completed his tack to starboard at the end of the start period, none of the other boats may interfere
with the Rabbit. If any boat makes contact with or interferes with the Rabbit, she is disqualified and must retire.
• It is important to note that all times are approximate except the 90 second starting period. The absence of a sound
signal shall be disregarded.
Before the starting period, boats waiting to start have several methods to tell approximately how many minutes there are
until the beginning of the starting period:
1) The number of horn blasts indicates the number of minutes until the start.
2) If the Rabbit is still sailing away from the starting mark on starboard, there are more than two minutes left before
the starting period begins. If the Rabbit is sailing a port beam reach toward the starting mark, there are less than
two minutes until the beginning of the starting period. The closer the Rabbit is on port tack to the starting mark,
the less time there is until the beginning of the start period.
Boats have three means of knowing when the starting period has ended.
1) Keep time from the starting signal. The starting period ends after 90 seconds.
2) The Rabbit tacks to starboard at the end of the starting period.
3) The Rabbit sounds a horn at the end of the starting period.
The Rabbit is required to follow all the other normal ROD requirements, such as selecting an appropriate course in
conjunction with the Rear Commodore for Racing, announcing the course, and placing a drop mark at the appropriate
location for the finish line. The finish line drop mark has no meaning during the start.
Sequential Pictures of the Rabbit Start
Wind
4 Min to Start
2
4 Horns!
2 Min to Start
3
2 Horns!
Start
Wind
These boats are in trouble
4
Horn!
90 Sec after Start
5
Horn!
X Flag!
Position
Signal
Minutes
before
start
1
Warning
~5
2
Prep
~4
4 horn blasts
3
Final
Turn
~2
2 horn blasts
4
Start
Start
1 long horn blast
5
End of starting
sequence
90 sec
after start
1 long horn blast
Other Starting
Boats’ Actions
Sound
Rabbit’s Actions
1 long sound
Close and to windward of
start mark
From the start mark,
beam reach on starboard
for 2 minutes
Tack or gybe; beam
reach on port back to
start mark
Pass close abeam leaving
start mark to port; sail
close hauled
Gather near right side of start mark
(looking upwind)
At the end of the starting
period, tack to starboard
If you have not yet started at the
Rabbit’s horn/tack, you must sail to
where he tacked and make 1 turn
(preceded by several short)
Position themselves to the right of
the Rabbit’s anticipated path
Final positioning
Begin starboard tack
Duck Rabbit
after he passes starting mark
Wind
Rabbit Start Diagram
1 Horn!
2
3
5
Horn!
Starting Line
4 Horns!
2 Horns!
4
Horn!
Definition of “Start”
3
3
2
1
Boat 1 has started
1
2
All boats have started