I have a question I'm hoping someone can help me with. (I just ordered a fresh copy of the Rules of Racing but won't receive it for a few days -- I'd love an answer sooner than that.) BTW I'm not going to mention which boat I was and I'm going to try to avoid slanting the description (to the best of my ability).
Downwind leg approaching the windward mark, the lead boat (BOAT1 - a radial) is directly in front of the following boat (BOAT2 - a full rig) and attempting to block BOAT2 from passing by slightly altering course. Thus, as BOAT1 comes within two boat lengths of the windward mark, BOAT2 is directly behind BOAT1 and there is no overlap at all. Both boats are on starboard tacks.
As BOAT1's bow just passes the mark and BOAT1 begins to gybe, BOAT2 dives for the mark to squeeze between BOAT1 and the mark, but cannot fit and hits both BOAT1 and the mark. While hitting both (but not before), BOAT2 shouts "let me in, make room, make room."
BOAT1 claims that it did not see BOAT2 dive in between it and the mark and therefore could not avoid collision and secondly did not think it had to make room as it had right of way.
BOAT2 claims that BOAT2 had to make room for it.
BOAT1 called a foul but BOAT2 refused to do a penalty turn (BOAT2 did not call a foul on BOAT1).
When this issue was brought up to Race Committee after the race, the focus quickly went off in a tangent and the ultimate question was not addressed.
Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated!
Downwind leg approaching the windward mark, the lead boat (BOAT1 - a radial) is directly in front of the following boat (BOAT2 - a full rig) and attempting to block BOAT2 from passing by slightly altering course. Thus, as BOAT1 comes within two boat lengths of the windward mark, BOAT2 is directly behind BOAT1 and there is no overlap at all. Both boats are on starboard tacks.
As BOAT1's bow just passes the mark and BOAT1 begins to gybe, BOAT2 dives for the mark to squeeze between BOAT1 and the mark, but cannot fit and hits both BOAT1 and the mark. While hitting both (but not before), BOAT2 shouts "let me in, make room, make room."
BOAT1 claims that it did not see BOAT2 dive in between it and the mark and therefore could not avoid collision and secondly did not think it had to make room as it had right of way.
BOAT2 claims that BOAT2 had to make room for it.
BOAT1 called a foul but BOAT2 refused to do a penalty turn (BOAT2 did not call a foul on BOAT1).
When this issue was brought up to Race Committee after the race, the focus quickly went off in a tangent and the ultimate question was not addressed.
Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated!