2008 MCYRA Yearbook
Electronic Edition

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. NAME

MERCURY CLASS YACHT RACING ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE II. EMBLEM

The emblem shall be flying "M" as shown on the official sail plan.

ARTICLE III. OBJECT

To promote and develop Mercury Class racing under uniform rules governed by the Association, and to maintain the one design features of Mercury Class Yachts.

ARTICLE IV. POLICY

To keep the cost of construction, sails and Association dues at minimum in order that Mercury Yachts may be available to the largest numbers of owners, and to maintain a strictly one design class in those factors that effect the sailing qualities.

ARTICLE V. JURISDICTION

The Association has jurisdiction over all Mercury Class activities. The Class Rules govern all Mercury races, regardless by whom held. The Constitution, By-Laws and Rules are binding upon all members and fleets, and all registered Mercury Class Yachts must conform to the official plans and specifications.

ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in this Association shall be restricted to those who own, sail, or are interested in the Mercury Class Yacht. The members shall join through the fleet in whose waters they normally sail, except those persons situated where no organized fleet exists, may apply for member-ship directly to the Secretary of the Association. A member can belong to one fleet only. Fleets shall have the right to accept or reject applicants for membership. A rejected applicant may apply for Association membership to the executive committee through the Association Secretary. His application will be considered at the next regular meeting of the executive committee or at a special meeting, should one be called.
Section 2. Active members of the Association shall be those who are owners, part owners, or bona fide charterers of a measured and approved Mercury Class Yacht. A bona fide charterer shall be one who has chartered a measured and approved Mercury Class Yacht for a period of not less than three months. Only active members may vote, hold offices, or be entitled to sail as helmsman in Mercury Class races. Section 3. Associate members shall be those who a re interested in promoting the welfare of the Mercury Class Yacht Racing Association, but are not entitled to active membership as above defined. Associate members are not entitled to the right to vote. They may substitute for the skipper at the tiller in an emergency or in a race with the approval of the race committee in case of unavoidable absence of the regular skipper.
Section 4. Honorary members shall consist of those having rendered extraordinary service to the Association. They shall be elected by the Executive Committee, and shall have the privileges of an active member in good standing. An honorary member pays no dues, fees or other assessments.
Section 5. Founder members shall include those persons interested in the welfare of the Mercury Class who are desirous of making a contribution of $25.00 per year to its activity and growth. *(28 Jan. 1995)
Section 6. Dues shall be fixed by the provisions of the By-Laws and must be paid before a member can be in good standing.
Section 7. Active membership shall be retained until the end of the calendar year by active members in good standing who may suffer the loss of their yachts during the year.
Section 8. A member may be expelled for adequate reasons, by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee. *(24 Jan 1998)

ARTICLE VII. ORGANIZATION

Section 1. The Association shall consist of individual members who shall belong to fleets, which shall be under the jurisdiction of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Any three or more owners of three or more measured Mercury Yachts on whose home waters no fleet exists, may be granted a fleet charter upon application to the Vice - President. Each fleet may elect its own officers, collect local dues, if so desired, and govern the affairs of the fleet consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association. The fleets shall elect officers by December 31st of each year and these officers shall take office at the same time as the new Association officers in January. *(31 Jan. 1970)
Section 3. *(17 Aug. 1963) Deleted * (24 Jan 1998 )

SECTION 4. MCYRA DISTRICTS

(1) The California Coastal Counties above the 37 degree parallel except Santa Cruz County. (2) The area known as the Central Valleys of California, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County and the eastern part of the State above the 37 degree parallel. Constitution 24 (3) The Coastal Counties below Monterey County and above Los Angeles County. (4) Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties plus the eastern part of the State south of the 37 degree parallel. (5) The States of Washington, Oregon and the Pacific coast area of Canada. (a) New districts shall be established by the Executive Committee.
Section 5. Each fleet shall be required to file an annual report of its activities and a complete roster of fleet officers and member s with the Secretary of the Association during the month of January of each year in order to renew its rights and privileges under its charter. Charters may be revoked at the annual meeting by the Executive Committee for failure to maintain in good standing the minimum of three boats necessary for a new fleet, or for other adequate reasons.

ARTICLE VIII. OFFICERS Titles-Duties-Method of Election

Section 1. The officers of the Association shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Chief Measurer, Secretary -Treasurer and District Representatives. They shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Executive Committee. Voting shall be by ballot and the candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast for the office to which he is nominated shall be elected.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings, shall be chairman of the Executive Committee, and ex-officio member of all committees other than the race committee. He shall appoint all special committee members, and shall authorize the payment of all bills. Section 3. The Vice-President shall have charge of promotional activities such as the development of the class, organization of new fleets, granting charters, etc., and shall have the duties of the President in the latter’s absence. In addition, the Vice-President will be the General Chairman of the MCYRA Championship Series, his committee to come from the host fleet. *(25 July 1962)
Section 4. The Chief Measurer shall receive and approve or reject measurement certificates in accordance with the tolerances established by the Executive Committee and shall maintain a file of the measurement certificates for each measured boat. He shall answer all correspondence relative to measurements, building materials, new methods of construction, etc. (a) The MCYRA President in conjunction with the Chief Measurer, shall appoint at least two official regional measurers with assigned district of responsibility. These personnel shall constitute the MCYRA measurement committee.
Section 5. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be in charge of all the secretarial work of the Association. He shall be responsible for the minutes of the meetings, records, general information, and correspondence. He shall be in charge of the funds of the Association. He shall receive all dues and fees. He shall disburse money only on the order of the President.
Section 6. District Representatives shall assist in organizing new fleets, promote the MCYRA and make semi-annual and annual reports to the President on the activities in their districts. *(7 Aug. 1963)
Section 7. The new officers of the Association shall take office immediately after the close of business of the Annual Meeting held each January, and shall serve until the installation of new officers. *(25 Jan. 1969)
Section 8. Not more than two of the following officers may be elected from the same fleet: President, Vice-President, Measurer, Secretary-Treasurer.

ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee - the powers of the association shall be vested in and exercised by the Executive Committee, consisting of the officers, the last past President and the Fleet Captain of each fleet.
Section 2. Technical Committee -In advisory capacity to the Executive Committee Shall investigate new construction methods and other technological developments, and make recommendations. *(24 Jan 1998)
(a) The Committee shall consist of three members appointed by and include t he Chief M e a s u re r. *(24 Jan 1998)
(b) The Committee shall review all proposed Specification changes and report its findings to the Executive Committee. (c) The Committee shall have final authority to interpret the specifications. (d) Deleted * (24 Jan 1998) Section 3. Appointed Officers and Committees -The following officers and committees shall be appointed by the officers and serve during the tenure of the appointing officers . (a) Deleted* (24 Jan 1998) (b) Deleted * (24 Jan 1998) (c) The Mold Committee - Shall supervise the construction, maintenance and use of all molds used to build Mercury Class Yachts whether owned by the Association or the builder. *(31 Jan. 1976) (d) Special Officers or Committees may be appointed by the President as necessary. *(24 Jan 1998 ) . Section 4. Scheduling committee - shall schedule MCYRA sponsored regattas . (a) The committee shall consist of the District Representatives and the Vice - President and shall be chaired by the Vice - President. (b) It shall be the responsibility of the committee to prepare, after discussing with the appropriate fleet representatives who have obtained approval of local yacht clubs, the regatta schedule for the coming year. *(24 Jan 1998) (c) The committee shall present a preliminary schedule to the fleet captains by December 1st. 25. The final schedule shall be presented at the Annual meeting. *(26 Jan. 1980)

ARTICLE X. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Section 1. The Annual Meeting of this Association shall be held each year. The meeting will be held at a suitable location as established by the President. Notice and Agenda of the Annual Meeting will be mailed to all members of the Executive Committee at least 20 days prior to the meeting. Any items not on the agenda cannot be discussed or voted on without at least 50% affirmative votes of those present. *( 30 Jan. 1993)*(24 Jan 1998)
Section 2. Notice and agenda of special meetings will be mailed to members of the Executive Committee at least 20 days prior to the meeting. The purpose thereof must be stated in such form as to permit voting by mail and only items on the agenda will be voted on. No other business shall be transacted. *(15 April 1964)
Section 3. The voting strength for the Annual Meeting of each year shall be based on the paid membership for the preceding year. *(25 Jan. ‘69)
Section 4. A special meeting of the Executive Committee may be called by order of the President without 20 days notice as follows: (a) The President and with the agreement of any three (3) officers of the Association. (b) A petition signed by at least 50% of the fleet captains and any one (1) officer of the Association . The purpose and specific business to be transacted at this special meeting must be in written form and available to the Executive Committee. No other business may be discussed or transacted during the special meeting. *(25 Jan. 1969)

ARTICLE XI. VOTING

Section 1. Each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to cast one vote. Each fleet captain shall be entitled to cast one additional vote for each Mercury Yacht enrolled in said fleet, but no fleet captain shall cast more than 25% of the votes cast. Membership books close ten days before the meeting. Proxies must be in writing and submitted to the Secretary. A majority of the votes present shall decide all questions not otherwise stipulated.
Section 2. Voting may be done by mail upon order of two of the officers or upon demand in writing by 25% of the fleets and that 50% of the fleets must vote to constitute a quorum. Section 3. Mail ballots must be voted and returned within 20 days from the date on the ballot in order to be counted. *(27 Jan. 1973)

ARTICLE XII. ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to order 2. Roll call of fleets and officers 3. Minutes of last meeting and Treasurer’s report 4. Reports of officers and committees. 5. Charters ratified and revoked . 6. Unfinished business 7. New business 8. Selection of site and date of next Championship Series. 9. Election of officers for the following year. 10. Adjourn m e n t . A quorum shall be six members or proxy holders, representing at least 50% of the fleets.

ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Specifications of this Association can only be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee .
Section 2. An amendment shall have an indicated effective date. *(25 July 1962)

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. DUES

Section 1. There shall be an Initiation fee of $5.00 for each individual member, payable to the Association upon his acceptance as a member. Associate members shall pay the initiation fee when converting to active membership,*(29 Jan 1972)*(24 Jan 1998)(15 Dec 2001)
Section 2. The annual Association dues shall be $40.00 for active and boat owning associate members, and $10.00 for associate members, payable to the Association March 1.*(29 Jan 1994)*(24 Jan 1998)(15 Dec 2001)
Section 3. Deleted *(7 Aug. 1963)*(24 Jan 1998 )
Section 4. Fleet dues are optional, and, if any, are to be kept by the fleet.
Section 5. Deleted* (24 Jan 1998)
Section 6. In order to race, a member’s current annual dues must be paid.

ARTICLE II. ELIGIBLE BOATS & SKIPPERS

Section 1. A boat is eligible and considered in the Mercury Class only if it conforms to the specifications and to the measurement rules as certified by a class measurement certificate, has been properly registered, and is owned by a qualified active member or members, recorded at the time as in good standing with the Association.
Section 2. Races other than the Mercury Championship Series, must be skippered or co-skippered by active members of the MCYRA. Evidence of co-ownership or charter must be in writing. (a) Such members, in good standing, may with a valid reason; apply to an officer of the MCYRA, or to the fleet captain of the host fleet, for permission to borrow a boat to compete in a particular race or series. *(15 April 1964) (b) Non-members of the MCYRA, may be granted permission; by the fleet captain of the host fleet, to borrow a boat and to compete in a particular race or series as a guest skipper. This privilege shall be limited to four races per year. *(15 Apr. 64)

ARTICLE III. PLANS & FRANCHISES

Section 1. The official Mercury Class plans, are the plans listed in Article Ii of the class Specifications. Plans available on the web page. (21 Jan 06)
Section 2. Franchises to build fiberglass hulls shall be issued by the Executive Committee, who shall also set the franchise fee. The franchise fee shall be $100.00 per boat and the builder is to charge an additional fee of $100.00 for supplying layup instructions. *(28 Jan 1978)

ARTICLE IV. YACHT'S NUMBER

Section 1. The official number shall be assigned by the Secretary of the MCYRA.
Section 2. Franchised fiberglass builders shall pay a fee of $10.00 per number. All other applicants must join the MCYRA for one year in order to obtain a number.
Section 3. The number must be carved or burnt into (or be permanently affixed to) the keelson between frames four and five - if the boat is made of wood. Franchised fiberglass builders may select a more convenient location for the boat number, as long as it is installed permanently and is readily visible.
Section 4. All yachts must carry the Mercury emblem and assigned number in numerals at least 10 inches high on each side of the mainsail. *(15 April 1964)

ARTICLE V. MEASUREMENTS & CERTIFICATES

Section 1. All boats which have applied for measurement shall be eligible to enter any race of the Mercury Class, except the National with the approval of the race committee or fleet captain. *(25 Jan. 1969) (a) All boats will be measured or re measured under the system used at the time. *(3 Aug. ’66)
Section 2. Boats shall be measured on appointed days by an official regional measurer. These measurements shall be adjudicated by the measurement committee as soon as possible, which if it approves the measurements shall issue a measurement certificate. *(25 Jan. 1969)
Section 3. All boats with measurement certificates shall be considered legal unless, on remeasurement, significant differences in dimensions a rediscovered in which case the measurement committee may declare them illegal. *(25 Jan. 69)
Section 4. Boats shall be subject to remeasurement upon protest and posting a $10.00 cash bond, if the protest is disallowed the bond will be paid to the measurer, if the protest is allowed the bond will be returned to the protesting party and the protested party shall pay $10.00 to the measurer and the measurement certificate shall be revoked.
Section 5. All fiberglass hulls manufactured by the franchised builder, (refer Specifications Art i c l e III, Section 2), will waive present hull measurement system, (refer By-Laws, Article V, Section 1, (a)) in lieu of following: *(31 Jan. 1976) (a) Weigh bare keel and keel bolts (minimum -610 lbs. maximum - 635 lbs.) (b) Weigh the entire keel assembly (fiberglass sock, keel and deadwood assembly) to be mini- B y l a w s 27 mum 675 lbs. - maximum 700 lbs. Weight to be recorded and submitted by builder. * (Jan 1983) (c) Weigh entire hull (refer Specifications, Article III, Section 1, (e).) (d) Weighing will be done with a class owned and maintained scale that is certified a minimum of once a year by a government agency. Scale to be used only by Class Measurer or his representative who will maintain possession of scale. *(4 December 1988, prior subsection (d) deleted).

ARTICLE VI. REGULATIONS

Section 1. Deleted* (24 Jan 1998)
Section 2. Deleted* (24 Jan 1998)
Section 3. Crew - a yacht shall be raced with a crew of no more than two persons. Additional crew under thirteen years shall be permitted . (This does not apply to the Nationals which require no more or less than two people in boat). At local option, this rule may be changed by notifying participants in advance. *(25 Jan. 1969)
Section 4. The current USSA racing rules shall govern all fleet and Association races.*(24 Jan 1998 )

(a)Alternative Penalties: RRS 44.1, is changed so that the penalty for breaking a rule of Part 2 shall be a One Turn Penalty, including one tack and one gybe, except that if the rule was broken within the two- length zone of a rounding mark, the Two-Turns described in RRS44.2 applies unchanged. For the purposes of this rule, the finish line mark is considered a rounding mark, and the starting mark is not.(24 Jan 2004)(22 Jan 2005)

(b) RRS 25 and 41 are amended to allow for on-the-water communcations, including time to start and OCS, between the Race Committee and racing boats via VHF radio *(24 Jan 2004).

(c)RRS 62 is changed to state that neither failure of the Race Committee to communicate the sail numbers of recalled boats in a timely manner. nor failure of a recalled boat to receive or hear transmitted information, will be grounds for redress.*(24 Jan 2004)

Section 5. Deleted* (24 Jan 1998)
Section 6. Haulouts shall be governed by each fleet.

ARTICLE VII. HONOR AWARDS

Section 1. Association champion - the winner of the Mercury Championship Series shall be entitled to wear the class emblem in gold on his sail with small numerals denoting the year that the championship was won.
Section 2. Fleet Champions shall be entitled to wear on their sail a chevron of approximately 120 degrees with each leg 1-1/2 inches wide and 6 inches long of the same color as the numbers. One additional chevron may be added for each subsequent fleet championship won.
Section 3. Limitations - the honor of wearing an award belongs to the winning skipper and cannot be transferred to another person.

ARTICLE VIII. RULES GOVERNING Silver - FLEET ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. All MCYRA members are eligible to compete in Silver-fleet events except: (a) Any skipper finishing in the top third (rounded to the next lowest) of the National Championship. (b) Deleted (24 Jan 1998) (c) Any skipper finishing in the top three of any MCYRA sponsored open event.
Section 2. Any Silver-fleet skipper who qualifies for both an Gold & Silver place award, will be awarded both awards.
Section 3. Nothing in these guidelines shall disqualify a skipper from competing in Gold-fleet. Section 4.Rules governing Silver-fleet sailing in local fleet races are left to the discretion of the local fleet.
Section 5. Local Silver-fleet status shall have no bearing on MCYRA Silver-fleet status.
Section 6. Unless the Silver-fleet has a separate start Silver-fleet race finishes shall not be scored independently from other competitors.
Section 7. Competitors must claim their Silver-fleet status prior to the beginning of any Silver-fleet event in order to be ranked in the Silver-fleet for that event.
Section 8. Deleted (24 Jan 1998)
Section 9. Any A-fleet skipper who has not lost Silver-fleet eligibility in the previous five (5) years regains eligibility. *(Feb. 1982)

RULES GOVERNING THE MERCURY CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Section 1. Purpose - to determine annually the champion of the entire Mercury Class *(24 Jan 1998 )
Section 2. Entries The Championship Series shall be open to any skipper who is an active member, and has returned to the home fleet, a written entry to said Championship Series prior to the start of the series. (December 1985)*(24 Jan 1998)
Section 3. Championship Series bids for the current year will be received and voted upon by the Executive Committee at the annual meeting in January .*(31 Jan 1970) *(24 Jan 1998)
Section 4. Home Fleet - the responsibility for arranging and providing for the proper facilities, entertainment, housing, etc., shall rest with the fleet on whose waters the series is held. In this regard it must cooperate with and be guided by the Executive Committee. Section 5. Conditions Governing Race (a) Shall be conducted as a 5 race series with no throw-out race. No champion shall be declared in a series with less than three races completed *(27Jan. 1996) (b) Deleted*(27 Jan 1996) (c) Deleted* (24 Jan 1998) (d) Deleted *(12 May 1990)*(24 Jan 1998)
Section 6. Eligibility (a) Each year prior to the Nationals a notice will be sent to the membership stating items to be measured as established by the measurement committee. These items shall be checked at the Nationals during the time of weigh in and sail measurement. *(26 Jan. 1980) (i) Not more than two (2) suits of sails will be allowed each contestant at the nationals. (ii) Sails shall be measured and hulls weighed prior to the first race. Sails previously measured at a championship and unchanged need not be remeasured. All sails so measured shall be marked in a distinctive fashion, and only measured and marked sails may be used. *(4 December 1988) (b) Skipper (helmsman) must be an active member, enrolled in the fleet he or she represents, be a bona fide owner, charterer, or designated syndicate representative of boat to be sailed by this person. Evidence of co-ownership or charter must be in writing.*(24 Jan 1998) 28 ( c ) (i) No changes shall be made in the skippers during the championship series, except in case of serious illness, in which event a coowner, having been a part-owner or charterer for at least three months prior to the championship series, of the boat owned or chartered by the original skipper, may be substituted. Changes under this paragraph can only be made after approval of the Race Committee. After such substitution, the original skipper may not act as crew. (ii) In case of a change in skippers during the championship series as set forth in Section 6, (c), (i), above, the original skipper designated on the entry form, shall be considered the skipper in command for the purpose of determining the Association Champion. (d) Each yacht shall have on file an acceptable measurement certificate prior to the first Championship race.*(24 Jan 1998)
Section 7. Deleted* (24 Jan 1998)
Section 8. Deleted* (24 Jan1998)
Section 9. General Procedure (a) Deleted* (24 Jan 1998) (b) The MCYRA shall have supervision of the general conduct of the series. All other details and questions in connection with the holding of the Association Championship Series, shall be submitted to the officers for approval .
Section 10. Finances (a) The association will disperse $275 to the host fleet to be used at their discretion. (1983).
Section 11. Deleted* (24 Jan 1998) - Effective date of item. Note: For the purpose of these rules the term s "Championship Series" and "Nationals" refer to the same series.