Taylorman,
Not quite right. The idea is to leave the rope exactly at the right instant so that you cross the line AT the lights just as it turns green- not before!
If you cross the lights before it turns green, you've jumped the gun thus causing a redlight. if you have ever stood behind the boats as they leave, you will also have noticed a digital number system which counts down from 10 to 1. Each boat will travel from the rope to the lights in a slightly different amount of time, so one driver may leave on a 6.5 and his compitition may leave on a 5.5 as an example.
Ken F