In the new advertising code the former "A," B," and " C" categories are redesignated Category "A" and Category "C." The full text of the regulations is an appendix in the 2001-2004 Rule Book. The following are answers to likely questions.

 What is Category A?

Category "A" remains the "no advertising" category. No personal boat or sail advertisement is permitted, however, an event organizer may require a competitor to put event advertising on a sailboat hull or a windsurf sail, with certain restrictions. 

Category "C" defines boats that allow advertising. All Olympic Classes are Category "C," allow unlimited advertising for the competitor and cannot elect for Category "A." ISAF and non-ISAF classes may choose Category "C" and may impose restrictions. Classes that do not choose Category "C" will automatically be designated Category "A."

No, a current membership in USSAILING carries the notation "Cat. C. Advertising License" which authorizes a skipper to advertise in accordance with Appendix I of the Racing Rules of Sailing, 2001-2004, unless an event has been properly restricted to Category "A" by club/event organizers, the Notice of Regatta and Sailing Instructions. 

Is clothing or equipment advertising allowed?

Competitors may display advertising on clothing and personal equipment without restriction at any time.

How are categories determined?

In part, that depends on the kind of boat you sail, for example"

ISAF International and Recognized Classes, and Non-ISAF class Associations:

The class association chooses whether competitors can display Category "C" advertising. If it selected Category "C," the class may apply restrictions. If an ISAF or Non-ISAF class association does not choose Category "C," Category "A" automatically applies.

There are no national Classes as defined by USSAILING

If an Organizing Authority or Club chooses, they may restrict advertising to Category "A" for a specific group of boats, or a whole regatta/series by declaring the event a "club" or "invitational" event and publishing this information in the NOR and Sailing Instructions. However, some events cannot be limited.

When USSAILING is the designated Organizing Authority as per RRS 87.1(c) or (d), the club/event organizers cannot restrict advertising to Category "A." Any event that is part of a qualifying series for an international event or ISAF world championship cannot be restricted to Category "A."

The organizing authority may put advertisement in the forward 25 percent of hull length for boats under 6.5 meters, and 20% for boats over 6.5 meters.

There is no reserved hull space for sailboards. The organizing authority may require advertisement to be placed on both sides of the sail, between the sail numbers and the wishbone, on both sides of the sail aft of the foot median. Windsurfers may also have to wear a bib

If advertising is required, it must be stated in the NOR.

If bow numbers are used, the 20-25% of hull length for advertisement space starts behind the bow numbers. 

The Organizing Authority controls 20-25% of the forward portion of the hull (depending on hull size). The competitor controls the rest of the hull/sail space as long as the requirements of the code are met, and moral and ethical standards are upheld (20.2.2). 

Yes, the only time a boat racing under a Handicap System can be restricted Nationally or Internationally is when the Organizing Authority of the event declares it Category "A" (Club/Invitational). All sailors (Handicap, One-Design etc…) should check with the Organizing Authority for events they plan on attending, to see what (if any) restrictions are in place.

Yes. The RRS require advertisements to meet generally accepted moral and ethical standards, and in some countries, advertising related to tobacco and alcoholic beverages and/or manufacturers is prohibited by law for any sailors competing in those countries. 

Not if you are a current member of USSAILING. Only the national authority of the competitor can require you to pay licensing fees, and USSAILING charges no fees.  

Yes, a Club or organizing authority can stipulate that boats, which are, designated category "A" or Category "C" shall compete as their designated categories.

Notice of Regatta and Entry Form:

        1—Events limited to either Category "A" boats (No Advertising)

           "This Invitational (or Club) Regatta is designated Advertising Category "A"."

            "This Regatta is designated Category "A" for yachts so classified by their class, rating system or national authority; and is designated Category "C" for yachts so classified by their class, rating system, national or international authority."

Sailing Instructions:

         1—Protests

                 "Protests for any violation of the ISAF Advertising Code will be heard in compliance with section 20.9 of the Code."

Certain classes and fleets designated as Category "C" may not compete unless they do so in without advertising.

The ISAF regulation states there should  be no variation of entry fees based on the competitor’s category of advertising for the boat in which he/she is competing, but USSAILING has elected to place no restrictions on organizing authorities. 

Yes. 20.3.3 gives the supplier of boats the right to use Category "C" even if the class has decided against it.