44 One-Design Class Sailboat Handbook 



primary purpose of this worldwide organization is to provide the best 

 and fairest possible racing on all levels. Each fleet holds local races, among 

 them a series of eliminations, the winner of which is eligible to participate 

 in the World's Championship, an annual affair. Besides this major series 

 there, are continental and district championships for which all entries 

 must also qualify through eliminations; and other important interna- 

 tional and interfleet events open to all. For the less experienced, there 

 are novice championships, which the experts may not enter. And in addi- 

 tion to all these special events the local weekend or daily races of the 

 home fleets continue throughout the sailing season. 



To find out what an association does for you, let's suppose that you have 

 just bought a new Star class boat. Through the former owner, or possi- 

 bly through another Star sailor, all of whom keep in close touch with all 

 Star activities, the central office in New York will receive word of your 

 purchase. The office will notify the secretary of the Star fleet in whose 

 area you sail, who will then get in touch with you personally and explain 

 the membership idea. As soon as you join the class, by payment of the 

 small annual dues (there is no initiation fee), you will receive a copy 

 of the current yearbook containing the complete rules and regulations 

 of the Star class, as well as Starlights, a monthly publication of news and 

 information. You will be invited to attend meetings of the Star owners 

 in your vicinity. You will be eligible to sail in all open races of the class, 

 and to compete for the privilege of sailing in the championship series. 

 Perhaps more important than any of these things will be the discovery 

 that you have become a member of a worldwide club of friendly en- 

 thusiasts united by their common interest in Star boat racing. 



MEMBERSHIP IN A YACHT CLUB 



If you plan to race, membership in a class association is a must. Since 

 many of the classes are affiliated locally with yacht clubs and because 

 many yacht clubs hold regattas, it is usually desirable to become a mem- 

 ber of a club. 



Yacht clubs vary in size, services, activities and costs. Some are informal 

 groups which pool their resources to buy a patched-up dock and an old 

 shed in which to store gear. They seek new members to reduce individual 



