Racing Rules

Basic Concepts Allow boats to manoeuvre in close proximity. Fairness. –Rule 2 and 69. Aid communication –Who between?

Some Definitions Mark – has a required side Racing – sailing in the start area after the preparatory signal. Port, Starboard, clear ahead, clear astern, overlapped, windward, leeward, two boat length circle, tacking, gybing, luffing, proper course.

Basic Right of Way Rules Obligation to avoid contact Right of way yacht must initially give room for other boat to keep clear. Avoid incidents. Not always advantageous to insist on your rights

Basic Right of Way Rules Opposite tacks –Port gives way to Starboard Same tack –Windward keeps clear of Leeward Boat Clear Astern –Keeps clear Hails –Don’t have to but sometimes help??????

Port Gives Way to Starboard. *?!*

Port Boat Can Tack.

Or Bear Away.

Port Gives Way to Starboard. Starboard boat must maintain course and speed - therefore can not take advantage of a wind shift if it would prevent Port from keeping clear.

Clear Astern *?!*

Clear Astern

Windward - Luffing

Windward *?!*

Mark Rounding

Starboard

Mark Rounding Overlap established at the two lengths circle

Mark Rounding

No Water Whoops No overlap

Penalties Hitting a mark –One tack & one gybe Wrong side –Unwind and reround Part 2 infringement –Two tacks and two gybes (used to be 720)

Finally The rest of the rules just clarify these for particular common complications. –Tacking in two lengths circle. –Obstructions. –Tacking and gybing when overlapped. –Gaining luffing rights. Applying common sense will solve most situations correctly.