After a start, does a windward boat with less momentum than a leeward boat have any rights to sail her proper course? Can the leeward boat subject to rule 17 force the windward boat to luff and slow down until the leeward boat passes the windward boat. In theory the boats should be sailing parallel lanes but there are times when one boat can sail higher.
Rights when starting
- Thread starter jbd214
- Start date
To the first question - NO. Rule 17 applies to the ROW vessel — in your situation the leeward boat. That said, if the leeward boat has come from astern prior to the start than she must sail her proper course - close-hauled. If you observe that her windward telltales are continually collapsed than she is pinching - that's not proper course.
For more information about specific rules and how they transition from one refer to these two posts on centerofeffort. http://centerofeffort01.blogspot.com/2012/04/turn-on-to-racing-rules-transitions.html
For more information about specific rules and how they transition from one refer to these two posts on centerofeffort. http://centerofeffort01.blogspot.com/2012/04/turn-on-to-racing-rules-transitions.html
jeffers
Active Member
You must remember that prior to the start there is no proper course and as such any boat that establishes an overlap to leeward can legitimately luff a windward boat head to wind (as long as enough time is given for the windward boat to respond).
After the start, if the overlap has been established from behind by the leeward boat, then she needs to come back to her proper course.
After the start, if the overlap has been established from behind by the leeward boat, then she needs to come back to her proper course.
sinogin
Member
What Jeffers said, but the windward boat needs enough "room to keep clear" not enough "time to respond." So a boat can't sail from behind, inches to leeward of a windward boat and expect them to keep clear without making contact.
jeffers
Active Member
Correct and if the windward boat is stationary that includes room to bear away to get the boat moving to then keep clear.