Section F - Reaching
TR CALL F4
Rule 11, On the Same Tack, Overlapped
Rule 17, On the Same Tack; Proper Course
Question
B and Y are reaching, both above their proper courses. They are overlapped and Y is
entitled to sail above her proper course. B luffs, trying to become clear ahead. Then,
believing (wrongly) she is clear ahead, she hails 'Clear Ahead'. Y bears away to a
proper course and protests. What should the call be?
Answer
No penalty. B's hail of what she believes to be true does not carry any significance
within the rules. Because B has failed to become clear ahead, Y is under no obligation
to bear away to a proper course.
If Y does not bear away, then B may protest; in the above circumstances the umpires
would again signal no penalty.
If B were to bear away and cause contact, then she would break rule 11 whether or not
her luff had broken the overlap.