Rabbit Start
No committee boat needed: a port-tack rabbit is the moving start line — everyone ducks her stern on starboard and races.
The rabbit (a nominated boat or the coach RIB) sails close-hauled on port tack across the front of the fleet. Her stern is the start line: every other boat approaches on starboard and starts by bearing away to pass close astern of her, then hardening up. Because the gate moves to windward at close-hauled speed, the 'line' is automatically square — late boats simply duck further along. It's the fastest way to run lots of short upwind starts with zero course setup, and it rewards time-on-distance judgement and a committed final approach.
Setup
Open water and a steady breeze. Nominate a rabbit (rotate each start) or use the RIB sailing a close-hauled port-tack line. Fleet sets up to leeward on starboard. Run the chosen sequence on the whistle; close the gate when the last boat has crossed, then race a short beat.
Start sequence: 1, 3 minute options — the animation’s countdown matches the one you run on the whistle.
Opens the animation on the boat-length grid — run it well, then brief it from the same picture. Free, no account needed.
What to call out
- Duck CLOSE — a length clear of the rabbit's stern, not five. Every extra metre is distance given away.
- Approach at full speed on starboard; the duck is a smooth bear-away and harden-up, not a stop.
- Late boats: keep sailing — the gate moves with the rabbit, so cross further along rather than stalling.
- Rotate the rabbit so everyone practises both the crossing and the gate-setting role.