That’s ok for the duck pond and the canal, but if your going to keep results everyone has to be on the same page, when you travel to another venue such as risdon brook that runs the proper rules you will be behind the eight ball and upset the other sailors when you infringe on other boats.
i still stand my comment that if your going to do it, do it right. It’s not fair on other competitors if you don’t learn the right way, it’s really not that hard! it’s all about being a good sportsman and a fair sailor.
http://www.bcya.com/Misc/BasicRacingRules.pdf at least you should know these rules to start with
http://ryeyachtclub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Australian-Sailing-2017-2020-Racing-Rules-of-Sailing-with-Prescriptions.pdf section 2 has the rules spelled out reasonably clear. there’s only one way the right way