by Dave Cobbett
Here’s a rules situation that occurs at practically every leeward mark rounding.
Boat L(leeward) is approaching the mark from below Boat W(windward). That is, Boat L is on a hotter approach, a bit more on the wind, than Boat W. Both boats are on starboard gybe. At 10 boatlengths from the mark, Boat L hails Boat W that Boat L will have an overlap at the 3 boatlength circle. Both boats are moving quickly, and Boat W hears the hail but ignores it. At the 5-length mark, Boat L again points out to Boat W that he’ll have an overlap. Boat W, her bow being slightly ahead at the 3-length circle, cries “No room” and attempts to close the door on Boat L at the mark. Boat L manages to round, but bumps Boat W. Boat W protests Boat L, and vice versa.
Comment: First, Boat W should pay attention to the definition of “Clear astern and Clear ahead”. Boat L would be clear astern when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other boat is clear ahead. If in fact Boat L’s spinnaker was ahead of the line drawn abeam across Boat W’s transom, she was NOT clear astern, did have an overlap, and was entitled to Markroom.
( A boat that is ‘outside”, may find that her wider angle to the mark means that many more boats fall inside that “ line drawn abeam across her transom” than she thinks, and are also entitled to Markroom).
While it’s true that Boat W was at the zone first, she was required to give room to Boat L to round (Rule 18.2: also “Markroom” definition.) In this case, Boat L broke Rule 14, but would be exonerated because Boat W broke Rule 18.2. Boat L’s protest against Boat W would be upheld (Rule 18.2)
Boat W’s Rule 14 protest against Boat L would be dismissed, because Boat W broke Rule 18.2.
Were the boats to have been on port gybe as they neared the mark, Rule 18.2 would still apply.
