Rules Clinic

Editor: Many thanks to Giles Passmore for producing the third article in the Rules Clinic series.  This edition sees Giles expand upon the simple introduction last time to 'Overtaking Boats'.  If you find this article more complex than previously why not take it up with Giles at the club one Sunday and get any points clarified which may be confusing you.

INTRODUCTION

Before you drive a motorcar or a motorbike you have to read the Highway Code.  It is relatively straightforward, and its understanding helps you to enjoy motoring.  In just the same way, before you can understand the Rules of Sailing, it is important that you have your own copy of the Racing Rules. You will find that understanding just 4 or 5 rules, such as those that Mike Scott discussed in the last issue, will get you through many, if not most, situations. In many instances, more than one rule applies to a racing situation; the Rules also include sections on the management of the races, such as starting, and Stephen Gibbon discussed this in the last issue. Everyone taking part in races should have a copy. The Rules may be modified every four years.  The changes are not brought about nationally, but are the result of proposals put forward by sailing authorities around the world and then agreed by the International Sailing Federation. They are not expensive, for the ‘Racing Rules’ produced by the RYA cost about £5.00.  You can also get versions with interpretations for about £10.00 to £15.00.  I would recommend that you read ‘The Basic Principle’ on Sportsmanship and the Rules.  Because there are no referees, no linesmen or lineswomen on the water it is expected that competitors will observe the rules and that when they break a rule they will do a penalty or retire. 

The current Rules, which may well have changes next year - it being the beginning of the next four-year period-, were modified to take into account the recommendations of the insurance industry that confrontation and contact should be reduced and that the emphasis be placed on avoidance of contact – collisions - with other boats.  This is spelt out in Rule 14 – AVOIDING CONTACT.  In the last Newsletter Mike Scott mentioned the hails of ‘starboard’ and ‘windward boat’.  It must be emphasised that there is only one requirement for a hail in the rules, and that it is for ‘room to tack’ at an obstruction or danger, such as being close to the shore and needing room to tack. However, it is wise and considerate to hail other boats when in close boat-to-boat situations. This may be to establish your rights or to confirm that the other boat is in the right and to hold its course. When you hail it is important to hail in good time and loudly to ensure that the other boat(s) hear you. It is the duty of all crews to look out for other boats and ensure that they take avoiding action if necessary.  With the large foresails that we now have this is very important and I would say that it is one of the essential duties of the crew to look through the windows of the foresails and keep the helm well informed of any boats coming close. It is no defence to say that you did not see the other boat, hear a hail or that the other boat did not hail, you must keep a lookout.  Of course, if there is a protest, it is good supporting evidence if you did hail.

OVERTAKING

Racing is all about going faster than the other person, no matter whether that person is in a car, on a bicycle, on foot or in a boat, and that will involve ‘overtaking’. Now if you look up overtaking in the Rulebook you will see that there is neither a rule for it, nor, in the ‘Interpretations’ book that we have, is there a section called ‘overtaking’, but there are rules that cover the different situations that occur when you meet, are overtaking another boat, and in the ‘Interpretations’ book there is a section that covers this on the different legs of a course.  So we have to look at the different situations when two boats meet or come close together in the course of overtaking and look at the different rules that govern the situation. At all times Rule 14 (Avoiding Contact) must be kept in mind.

There are two important points to bear in mind. One a definition and one a rule.

DEFINITION of a PROPER COURSE. It is a popular misconception that a ‘Proper course’ is a straight line form one mark to the next, especially when sailing off the wind.  It is not. ‘A proper course is a course a boat would sail to finish as soon as possible in the absence of other boats in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before the start.’  This is a sailing definition and may not be altered. This proper course could well be a curved course if it meant avoiding a known calm spot, or seeking more wind in a certain part of the course, or trying to avoid or use a tide.

RULE 16 – CHANGING COURSE. Rule 16 says ‘When the right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear’. 

And of course, RULE 14 (Avoiding Contact), DON’T FORGET THIS.

We will now go back to the last edition’s newsletter and enhance Mikes notes on Rules 10 (WHEN BOATS MEET ON OPPOSITE TACKS.  When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat), 11 (WHEN BOATS MEET 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 (WHEN BOATS MEET 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.).

FIRSTLY you can overtake a boat when you are beating. In this case Rule 10 – Boats on Opposite Tacks  -, Rule 11 – Boats on Same Tack, overlapped –, and Rule 12 - not overlapped – apply.

SECONDLY you can overtake on a reach, when sailing off the wind. Here not only do Rules 11 and 12 apply, but also Rule 16.

THIRDLY you can overtake on the run.  The same rules apply as when overtaking on the reach, except that you can gybe, so Rule 10 will also apply.

OVERTAKING ON A REACH.

If you are overtaking, you are probably approaching the other boat from astern. To overtake, you either 1., sail to windward, which is sail through their wind or 2., sail to leeward, which is to sail down below them.

1.    Overtaking to windward.  While you are clear astern – see last month’s notes – your duty is to keep clear and you can sail what course you like.  You now gain an overlap upwind (to windward) – again see Mike’s notes -, so the other boat can now luff you. This comes under Rule 16. In this case the overtaken boat has the right to alter course towards the wind to keep you, the overtaking boat, behind.  BUT he has to give you room to keep clear, and you have to keep clear.  Assuming that you can get through his wind and break the overlap – again see Mikes notes - you can then bear away as the boat now clear astern must keep clear of you. The trouble is that when you bear away the overlap can then be re-established. The other boat must now bear away to her proper course, but you must still keep clear.

2.   Overtaking to leeward.  Again while you are clear astern your duty is to keep clear. When you get an overlap downwind (to leeward) you become right of way boat, but you must give the other boat room to keep clear.  You do not have luffing rights and you may not sail above your proper course while the overlap exists or you are within two hull lengths of each other. But you can sail up to your proper course but you must give the other boat room to keep clear.    

OVERTAKING ON A RUN.

This is quite straightforward.  The wind is behind you and there is a boat in front of you.  The same principles of overlaps and windward / leeward boats applied in overtaking when on the reach apply.

1.    Overtaking to windward. If you are both on the same tack, and you have not established an overlap to windward, you must keep clear.  If you are both on the same tack, and you have established an overlap to windward, you must keep clear. You are windward boat if your boom is pointing at the other boat.

Also the Port and Starboard  Rule applies.

If you are on Starboard tack and the other boat is on Port tack, you have right of way.

If you are on Port tack and the other boat is on Starboard tack, you have to keep clear.

If you are both on Port tack and you are windward boat you have to keep clear, but if you now gybe onto starboard tack you become right of way boat.  But when you gybe you must give the other boat room to keep clear and if you change course you must again give the other boat room to keep clear.

2.     Overtaking to leeward.  Again, as in overtaking on the reach, you must give the other boat room to keep clear. And again remember that Port gives way to Starboard.

In all the discussion of overtaking, it should be remembered that when racing you should be keeping an eye on the fleet. In doing this you should realise early rather that late what boat(s) you are going to overtake and plan accordingly. Plan to sail your own race without the interference of other boats as they can only slow you down.  It may be exciting to have boat-to-boat ‘combat’ but it does not necessarily win races.  Good boat speed and tactics do.

Part 2 of the Racing Rules is headed ‘WHEN BOATS MEET’.  It has only 4 Sections and 12 Rules; it only covers 7 pages.  It is not too difficult to come to terms with. As we have seen above, it is getting to grips with a few rules to start with that will cover many aspects of racing and get you going. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of dinghy racing is coming to terms with the fact that there is no referee to keep you right.  Listening to a Rugby International you can hear the referee constantly giving advice.  With sailing there is no such luxury. You are your own referee, but there are not too many laws to come to terms with, and the Powers that Be are trying to simplify them. Read and master Part 2, your efforts will be well rewarded.

As I said at the beginning the Racing Rules of Sailing should be part of your sailing kit, at about £5.00 it is the cost of, say 2 shackles.  Buy it; follow the sections – section by section -, learning each one as best as you can.

ABOVE ALL, DON’T ASSUME THAT OTHERS KNOW THE RULES BETTER THAN YOU.  Most helms have a working knowledge of the Rules; a few really know the detail.  With a working knowledge you will be in good company.

Giles Passmore

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