Excerpts from the International Sailing Federation Racing Rules of Sailing for 2001-2004 (see link below for complete rules):
Section A - Right of Way
10 ON OPPOSITE TACKS
When boats are on opposite tacks,
a port-tack boat shall keep clear
of a starboard-tack boat.
11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and
overlapped, a windward boat shall
keep clear of a leeward boat.
12 ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and
not overlapped, a boat clear astern
shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
13 WHILE TACKING
After a boat passes head to wind,
she shall keep clear of other boats
until she is on a close-hauled course.
During that time rules 10, 11 and 12
do not apply. If two boats are subject
to this rule at the same time, the one
on the other's port side shall keep
clear.
...
17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
17.1 If a boat clear astern becomes
overlapped within two of her hull
lengths to leeward of a boat on
the same tack, she shall not sail
above her proper course while they
remain overlapped within that
distance, unless in doing so she
promptly sails astern of the other
boat. This rule does not apply if
the overlap begins while the
windward boat is required by rule
13 to keep clear.
17.2 Except on a beat to windward,
while a boat is less than two of
her hull lengths from a leeward
boat or a boat clear astern
steering a course to leeward of
her, she shall not sail below her
proper course unless she gybes.
Dave
Ken Coit wrote: Really? Did the rules change since I stopped racing? I thought the windward boat must maintain a proper course to the mark, or higher, but it could not come down on the leeward boat to block it. I think the leeward boat can luff the windward boat as high as "head to wind." Going further than "head to wind" would involve tacking without room and that would be a violation of another rule and risk being speared, but that would violate another rule.....
Someone who has read a current rule book needs to help me here.
Ken
Don Carr wrote: Hanalei wrote: Captain Stump;
Just remember, you may head up or luff only if you can be construed to be holding a proper course to the mark. Pointing too high to 'cut off' a boat will get you protested. Oops this is pretend racing...I forgot..no protests.
Fair Winds
david.potts@fairchildsemi.com