Extend Race Time Limits

[MattAdministrator]

Did it seem like we left a lot of unused daylight on the table during race days this year? Maybe, if we utilized so-called civilian twilight, instead of sunset, in the time limit definition, we could add 30 minutes to our Tuesday evening race time. According to the National Weather Service, “… civil twilight ends in the evening, when the geometric center of the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon. Therefore, evening civil twilight begins at sunset, and ends when the geometric center of the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon. Under these conditions absent fog or other restrictions, the brightest stars and planets can be seen, the horizon and terrestrial objects can be discerned, and in many cases, artificial lighting is not needed.” During the summer, civil twilight lasts about 30-35 minutes after official sunset.

And, with electric bilge pumps now allowed which bring a battery onboard, and with the availability of small, low power LED navigation lights, we should consider adding running lights to the boats to eliminate this issue (USCG compliance after sunset) from consideration.

Something to think about.

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