Section E - The Windward Mark
TR CALL E5
Rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 18.2, Giving Mark-Room
Rule 43, Exoneration
Question
Y reaches the zone of a starboard-hand windward mark clear ahead of B and slightly
above the layline. Both boats are on port tack. The next leg is a beam reach. Y stops
with her bow 1½ lengths to windward of, and level with, the mark. B, on the port tack
layline, tries to sail between Y and the mark. However, Y bears away below her proper
course and there is no longer space for B to pass between Y and the mark. B makes
contact with Y and the mark and protests. What should the call be?
Answer
Penalize Y. When Y enters the zone she is clear ahead of B and is entitled to markroom
under rule 18.2(b). Mark-room includes room for Y to round the mark as
necessary to sail her course and, when B becomes overlapped inside her, rule 18.2(c)(2)
requires that B also gives Y room to sail her proper course. B does so and complies
with rules 18.2(b) and (c).
After B becomes overlapped to leeward of Y, Y is required to keep clear. She fails to
do so and breaks rule 11. She is not entitled to exoneration under rule 43 because she
is not sailing her proper course or within the mark-room to which she is entitled.
B breaks rule 31 but was compelled to touch the mark as a consequence of Y’s breach
of rule 11. B is exonerated under rule 43.1(a).