I THOUGHT YOU 'D BE INTERESTED TO SEE THE RESPONSE FROM ONE OF OUR READERS, DICK WHITE. MY RESPONSE TO HIM FOLLOWS:
From your blog. Seven times a starboard tack boat must keep clear of a port tack boat.
1. When tacking, rule 13
2. When acquiring right of way, rule 15
3. When changing course, rule 16
4. When port is inside boat at a leeward mark, rule 18.2(b)
5. When returning to the prestart side of the line to start, rule 21.1
6. When doing turns rule, 21.2
7. When backing up, rule 21.3.
8. At an obstruction, rule 19.2(b). Or, is this just a requirement to give room and not a requirement to Keep Clear?
9. When required to give Mark Room for a boat to sail it's proper course at the mark. Or, is this just a requirement to give room and not a requirement to Keep Clear? But, if a boat is entitled to room to sail it's proper course at the mark does that mean the boat required to give room must also keep clear so a boat may change course or tack without contacting the other boat, when changing course or tacking is part of it's normal maneuver to round the mark?
Dick White
Dear Dick,
I was careful to phrase my question "seven times when a starboard tack boat has to give way etc" because in most of these cases she doesn't have to "keep clear" of the port tack boat. I did not have Rule 15 and 16 on my list. I can buy into Rule 15 but I think 16 is a stretch.
Anyway, here's my list:
1. Inside boat at a mark (18.2 (a) & (b)
2. Returning from OCS (21.1)
3. Taking a penalty (21.2)
4. Moving astern (21.3)
5. Tacking (13)
6. Gybing (18.4)
7. Inside at a continuing obstruction 19.2 (c)
I think that 9 & 4 from your email are essentially the same.
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HERE ARE A FEW GOOD TIPS FOR STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE ON THE RACE COURSE
1. LEARN THE RULES
a. A good working knowledge of the rules is worth 2 or 3 places in a big regatta.
b. Read Part 2 of the racing rules before you start a regatta.
c. Sail by the rules and insist that others do the same.
2. AVOID BEING PROTESTED
a. Don't push tactical situations when you are the "keep clear" boat.
b. Tack sooner rather than later, duck early.
c. Avoid contact even when you're right.
d. Always give room, even when you think you don't have to.
e. When there is doubt or contact, do a penalty turn or turns.
3. STAY OUT OF THE PROTEST ROOM
a. 50% of those who go into the "room" don't like the outcome. Bad odds!
b. If there is arbitration, listen to the arbitrator and heed his advice. If he says you're going to lose, he's probably right!
HERE'S A QUIZ
I think that there are seven times in the new rules when a starboard tack boat has to give way to a port tack boat. Can you name them? Send me an email with "BLOG QUIZ" in the subject line.
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