Section E - The Windward Mark
TR CALL E6
Rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 12, On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped
Rule 18.2, Giving Mark-Room
Question 1
Y is approaching a starboard-hand windward mark on port tack, and completes a tack
within the zone clear ahead of B. After Y is on a close-hauled course B bears away to
avoid her. B protests. What should the call be?
Answer 1
No penalty.
Y completes her tack at position 3 without breaking rules 13 or 15. Y becomes clear
ahead, and B is required by rule 12 to keep clear, which she does.
Question 2
Y is approaching a starboard-hand windward mark on port tack. Y passes head to wind
in the zone, becomes clear ahead of B and then immediately overlapped to windward
of her. B is on the layline, and does not give Y mark-room, forcing Y to pass the wrong
side of the mark. Y protests. What should the call be?
Answer 2
B has right of way throughout but, when the boats become overlapped while Y is
subject to rule 13, rule 18.2(a) requires B to give Y mark-room provided she is able to
do so from the time the overlap began. See rule 18.2(f).
If B is able to give mark-room after Y becomes overlapped, as shown in the diagram,
penalize B for breaking rule 18.2(a).
If B is unable to give mark-room, rule 18.2(f) applies and B does not break any rule.
Y is required by rule 11 to keep clear which she does. No penalty.