Well, ****...this is embarrassing.
System performing as designed
I read the rules more carefully.
RACE SCORES IN A SERIES LONGER THAN A REGATTA
For a series that is held over a period of time longer than a regatta, aboat that came to the starting area but did not start, did not finish, re-tired after finishing or was disqualified shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats that came to the starting area. A boat that did not come to the starting area shall be scored points for the finishing place one more than the number of boats entered in the series
Just a damn coincidence that it was "7" in both cases of boats that didn't start/finish and the # of boats that are entered in the series....ARGH