yacht racing rule 18.3

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Racing Rules explained – Rule 18

Rule 18 – mark room.

Rule 18 is again one of the more complicated rules within our sport. It is broken down into multiple sections to determine the following:

• When does it apply? (18.1)
• How to give mark room (18.2)
• Manoeuvring at a mark and how mark room is affected (18.3 and 18.4)

Definitions

• Mark –  An object that a boat must leave on a specified side. An anchor line or an object attached to a  mark  is not part of it.
• Zone –  The zone is a determined distance around a mark. This can be different depending on your sailing instructions. Default length is set at 3 boat lengths, however, this changes for match and teams racings. Remember to check your sailing instructions.

Rule 18 opens by discussing when the rule does or does not apply:

Rule 18.1 – When Rule 18 applies:

“Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a  mark  on the same side and at least one of them is in the  zone . However, it does not apply

(a) between boats on opposite  tacks  on a beat to windward,

(b) between boats on opposite  tacks  when the  proper course  at the  mark  for one but not both of them is to tack,

(c) between a boat approaching a  mark  and one leaving it, or

(d) if the  mark  is a continuing  obstruction , in which case rule 19 applies.”

The rule does not “turn on” until one of the boats is in the zone. When sailing to a windward mark or the finish line, the rule does not apply when two boats are on opposite tacks.

Rule 18.2 – Giving Mark Room

(a) When boats are  overlapped  the outside boat shall give the inside boat  mark-room , unless rule 18.2(b) applies.

(b) If boats are  overlapped  when the first of them reaches the  zone , the outside boat at that moment shall thereafter give the inside boat  mark-room . If a boat is  clear ahead  when she reaches the  zone , the boat  clear astern  at that moment shall thereafter give her  mark-room .

(c) When a boat is required to give  mark-room  by rule 18.2(b),

(1) she shall continue to do so even if later an  overlap  is broken or a new  overlap  begins;

(2) if she becomes  overlapped  inside the boat entitled to  mark-room , she shall also give that boat  room  to sail her  proper course  while they remain  overlapped .

(d) Rules 18.2(b) and (c) cease to apply when the boat entitled to  mark-room  has been given that  mark-room , or if she passes head to wind or leaves the  zone .”

(e) If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an  overlap  in time, it shall be presumed that she did not.

(f) If a boat obtained an inside  overlap  from  clear astern  or by  tacking  to  windward  of the other boat and, from the time the  overlap  began, the outside boat has been unable to give  mark-room , she is not required to give it.”

The key to getting Rule 18.2 right, is to remember the exact moment when the first boat enters the zone. If you are overlapped, you must give mark room to any inside boats that are overlapped, regardless of whether the overlap is maintained.

The next two parts to Rule 18 refer to when boats must perform a tack or gybe to get around the mark. The key note for this next section to remembering the proper course for both yourself and other boats.

Rule 18.3 – Tacking in the Zone

“If a boat in the  zone  of a  mark  to be left to port passes head to wind from  port to starboard tack  and is then  fetching  the  mark , she shall not cause a boat that has been on  starboard   tack  since entering the  zone  to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact and she shall give  mark – room  if that boat becomes overlapped inside her. When this rule applies between boats, rule 18.2 does not apply between them.”

If you tack from port to starboard in the zone and are fetching the mark, you can’t cause boats coming in on starboard to sail above close-hauled. This is true even if you complete your tack clear ahead of the starboard boats.

Rule 18.4 – Gybing

“When an inside  overlapped  right-of-way boat must gybe at a  mark  to sail her  proper   course , until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the  mark  than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.4 does not apply at a gate  mark .”

Again, remember your proper course is to a mark. This does not change if you have a problem with your drop!

Click here to view the full  Racing Rules Explained  series.

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Published on March 15th, 2022 | by Editor

On a mission to simplify Mark-Room rule

Published on March 15th, 2022 by Editor -->

Dave Perry, as the chair of a World Sailing Racing Rules Committee working party, is on a mission to simplify Rule 18 (Mark-Room). But he needs help… here’s his pitch:

Without a doubt, the most complicated rule in the rule book is Rule 18, Mark-Room. It is the rule that applies when boats are rounding or passing marks. The World Sailing Racing Rules Committee has commissioned a Rule 18 Working Party made up of international sailors and rules experts to try and find ways to simplify Rule 18 without significantly changing the way the game is currently being played.

We are now looking for fleets who would be willing to test a new Rule 18 between May 1 and July 15, 2022. The test would include a packet with the test rule and supporting information, a Zoom session with a member of the Rule 18 WP for all the participants before the testing began, and a follow-up Zoom session at the end of the test period for the participants to share their experiences, thoughts and suggestions.

Any fleets, clubs, sailing organizations or classes, etc. willing to help the Rule 18 WP by testing a new rule 18, please contact me at [email protected] .

Here’s Rule 18 as currently written in the 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing:

18 MARK-ROOM

18.1 When Rule 18 Applies Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply: (a) between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward, (b) between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack, (c) between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or (d) if the mark is a continuing obstruction , in which case rule 19 applies. Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when mark-room has been given.

18.2 Giving Mark-Room (a) When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room , unless rule 18.2(b) applies. (b) If boats are overlapped when the first of them reaches the zone , the outside boat at that moment shall thereafter give the inside boat mark-room . If a boat is clear ahead when she reaches the zone , the boat clear astern at that moment shall thereafter give her mark-room . (c) When a boat is required to give mark-room by rule 18.2(b),

(1) she shall continue to do so even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins; (2) if she becomes overlapped inside the boat entitled to mark-room , she shall also give that boat room to sail her proper course while they remain overlapped .

(d) Rules 18.2(b) and (c) cease to apply if the boat entitled to mark-room passes head to wind or leaves the zone . (e) If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not. (f) If a boat obtained an inside overlap from clear astern or by tacking to windward of the other boat and, from the time the overlap began, the outside boat has been unable to give mark- room , she is not required to give it.

18.3 Passing Head to Wind in the Zone If a boat in the zone of a mark to be left to port passes head to wind from port to starboard tack and is then fetching the mark , she shall not cause a boat that has been on starboard tack since entering the zone to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact and she shall give mark-room if that boat becomes overlapped inside her. When this rule applies between boats, rule 18.2 does not apply between them.

18.4 Gybing When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark to sail her proper course , until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.4 does not apply at a gate mark .

For the definition of italicized words, click here .

Tags: Dave Perry , Racing Rules of Sailing , World Sailing

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Rule 18.2 – Giving Mark-Room: Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024

Our second installment on mark-room is Rule 18.2 – Giving Mark-Room. We covered Rule 18.1 separately and we’ll update Rules 18.3 and 18.4 in a future post.

In 2018, the Inland Lake Yachting Association (ILYA) and SailZing, LLC partnered on a Fair Sailing initiative. As part of this initiative, SailZing worked with the ILYA and UK Sailmakers to develop a series of articles on the rules. With the rules changes in 2021, SailZing is updating these articles and adding video summaries.

Our thanks to UK Sailmakers for generating the animated scenarios.

Rule 18.2 Video

Rule 18.2 – Giving Mark Room

“(a) When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room , unless rule 18.2(b) applies.

(b) If boats are overlapped when the first of them reaches the zone , the outside boat at that moment shall thereafter give the inside boat mark-room . If a boat is clear ahead when she reaches the zone , the boat clear astern at that moment shall thereafter give her mark-room .

(c) When a boat is required to give mark-room by rule 18.2(b),

(1) she shall continue to do so even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins;

(2) if she becomes overlapped inside the boat entitled to mark-room , she shall also give that boat room to sail her proper course while they remain overlapped .

(d) Rules 18.2(b) and (c) cease to apply if the boat entitled to mark-room passes head to wind or leaves the zone .”

(e) If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not.

(f) If a boat obtained an inside overlap from clear astern or by tacking to windward of the other boat and, from the time the overlap began, the outside boat has been unable to give mark-room , she is not required to give it.”

Definitions

Room for a boat to leave the mark on the required side. Also,

(a) room to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it, and

(b) room to round or pass the mark as necessary to sail the course without touching the mark .

However, mark-room for a boat does not include room to tack unless she is overlapped inside and to windward of the boat required to give mark-room and she would be fetching the mark after her tack. (Example of a situation that requires giving room to tack is shown at right.)

Previously-defined terms (click to refresh your memory): overlap, clear ahead, clear astern , zone , room , proper course

Rule 18.2 Key Points

• This rule applies at both the windward and leeward marks. We’ll cover windward mark situations when we cover Rule 18.3.
• If Rule 18 applies, then either Rule 18.2(a) or Rule 18.2(b) will apply. The most common situations involve Rule 18.2(b).
• The key to understanding Rule 18.2(b) is to think of a “snapshot” when the first boat enters the zone. If the first boat enters the zone clear ahead, she need not give mark room to boats that are clear astern.
• When a boat claims she obtained or broke an overlap in time, the claim must be well-supported. If there is reasonable doubt, the claim will not be accepted.
• Rule 18 “turns off” when mark-room has been given. This means satisfying all the required portions of the mark-room definition.

Rule 18.2 Change

The 2021 changes modified Rules 18.1 and 18.2 slightly. Rule 18.1 now states that Rule 18 turns off when mark-room has been given. This applies to the entire rule. The corresponding statement in Rule 18.2 was removed. See the markup for Rule 18.2 to the right.

#1 – “Common Leeward Mark, Example 1”

Description: Yellow and Blue are sailing downwind on the same tack.

Should Yellow give mark-room to Blue?   Answer

#2 – “Common Leeward Mark, Example 2”

Description: Yellow and Blue are sailing downwind on opposite tacks. When Blue enters the zone, she is clear ahead of Yellow. After entering the zone, Yellow becomes overlapped with Blue.

Should Blue give mark-room to Yellow? Answer

#3 – “Common Leeward Mark, Example 3”

Description: Yellow and Blue are sailing downwind on opposite tacks with spinnakers. Yellow reaches the mark first and does not give Blue mark-room. Blue heads up to avoid Yellow. There was no contact.

Should Yellow give mark-room to Blue?  Answer

#4 – “Common Leeward Mark, Example 4”

Description: Yellow and Blue are sailing downwind on opposite tacks. Shortly after Yellow reaches the zone, Blue hails for room. Yellow does not respond verbally until reaching the mark, and then hails “no room.” Yellow does not give Blue mark room. Blue protests Yellow. Yellow alleges that she broke the overlap before she entered the zone. There was no contact.

Would a protest committee be likely to accept Yellow’s claim that she broke the overlap just before reaching the zone? Answer

#5 – “Common Leeward Mark, Example 5”

Description: Yellow and Blue are sailing downwind to the leeward gate on the same tack. After entering the zone, Blue turns up, sails faster, and breaks the overlap.

Should Blue give mark-room to Yellow?   Answer

#6 – “Common Leeward Mark, Example 6”

Description: Yellow and Blue are sailing to the leeward mark. Blue is clear ahead when reaching the zone. Blue sails wide of the mark due to trouble with the spinnaker takedown. Yellow sails inside of Blue around the mark.

Is Yellow within her rights to round the mark inside Blue?   Answer

#7 – “Common Leeward Mark, Example 7”

Description: Yellow, Blue, and Green are approaching the leeward mark. After entering the zone, Green slows down, but Blue speeds up and rounds inside of Yellow. Assume that Blue did not touch the mark. Yellow heads up and contacts Blue. There was no damage.

Which boat should promptly take a penalty?  Answer

#8 – “Complex Leeward Mark”

Description: Multiple boats are approaching the leeward mark. Watch the scenario several times.

Is Yellow entitled to mark-room from Light Blue?  Answer

Is Magenta entitled to mark-room from Green? Answer

When does Rule 18.2(a) Apply?

We’ve covered the most common rule 18.2 scenarios, which are usually related to Rule 18.2(b) and the three boat length zone. So when does Rule 18.2a apply? Here are two examples.

On a beat to windward, recall that, in accordance with Rule 18.1, Rule 18 does not apply between boats on opposite tacks. If two boats are already in the zone, on opposite tacks, and then one of them tacks, Rule 18 begins to apply, In this situation, Rule 18.2(a) kicks in. In the example shown, once Yellow tacks to port, Blue is the inside boat and is overlapped, so Blue is entitled to mark room from yellow.

Here’s a leeward mark example, from Case 59 in the casebook. Blue is forced to sail outside the zone, due to the presence of the grey boats. Yellow is clear astern of Blue but enters the zone before Blue. Read Rule 18.2(b) carefully to see that it doesn’t apply here. Instead, Rule 18.2(a) begins to apply when Blue and Yellow are overlapped at position 2. Thus, Blue must give mark-room to Yellow.

World Sailing Cases of Interest

25  – When an inside overlapped windward boat that is entitled to mark-room takes more space than she is entitled to, she must keep clear of the outside leeward boat and the outside boat may luff provided she gives the inside boat room to keep clear.

59  – A boat abreast of a mark but outside the zone. Illustrates an application of Rule 18.2(a).

63  – At a mark, when space is available to a boat that is not entitled to it, she may, at her own risk, take advantage of the space.

70  – an inside overlapped windward boat that is entitled to mark-room from the outside boat must keep clear of thee outside boat and, if she is sailing outside of the mark-room to which she is entitled, she is not exonerated if she fails to keep clear.

75  – When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark, she is entitled to sail her proper course until she gybes.

Related Content:

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• Guidance and good practice

Changes to the racing rules

Introduction.

This guidance highlights the main changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) effective from 1 January  2021 . The changes include some minor edits which are solely for clarification and are not detailed here. The changes  in the RRS  are side-lined, except in the appendices. 

Th is  guidance is intended primarily for  competitors, but  will also be useful to race and protest committees  and  other race officials.  Competitors and officials involved in technical matters need to be aware that the Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) for  2021  contain significant changes  from the previous version .

A large number of  rule numbers have changed. A cross-reference of the changed numbers is included at the end of this  document .

The main changes  to the RRS with effect from 1 January 20 2 1  are

• A new RRS 6.1 brings together a ll  World Sailing R egulations that are also racing rules.
• The definitions  Start  and  Finish  now refer only to the hull of the  boat, and  exclude the crew or equipment.
• Part 4 of the RRS, Other Requirements When Racing, is split into two parts. Section A contains the general requirements  when racing  and Section B contains the equipment related requirements. As a result, several Part 4 rules are renumbered .
• The three rules about exoneration are brought together into a new RRS 43.
• The race committee is now permitted to score a boat  "Did not sail the course" without a protest  or a  hearing . RRS A5.1 refers.
• All requirements that a rule included in the  n otice of  r ace must be repeated in the sailing instructions , and vice-versa,  are removed.
• The RYA Prescriptions and  RYA Recommended  Notice of Race  Wording   include significant updates. These are included in RYA publication of the Racing Rules of Sailing (reference YR1/21).

DEFINITIONS

Mark  This  is clarified to  in clude  any object intentionally attached to a  mark ,  including a committee vessel, except an anchor line.

Mark-Room  Words a dded  to  s ub-paragraph (b)  are  room  to  round 'or  pass '  the  mark  and  ' without touching the  mark '.

Sail the Course  New definition replacing much of old rule 28.1.

Party  Several changes, mainly clarifications.

Proper Course  Now clarified and includes "to  sail the course  and  finish ".

INTRODUCTION

H ails  A hail may now be in a language other than English  provided that  it is reasonable for it to be understood by all boats affected.

PART 1, FUNDAMENTAL RULES

RRS 2, Fair Sailing

The penalty for breaking this rule  reverts to  a mandatory  disqualification not excludable (DNE).

RRS 3, Decision to Race, and RRS 4, Acceptance of the Rules

These rule numbers have been swopped.

RRS 5, Rules Governing Organizing Authorities and Officials  (previously rule 84)

This rule is  now brought into Part 1 for emphasis.

RRS 6,  World Sailing Regulations

World Sailing Regulations which are also racing rules are brought together in to  a single rule.

PART 2, WHEN BOATS MEET

RRS  14, Avoiding Contact

The references to exoneration are moved to new RRS 43.

RRS 16.2, Changing Course

The revised  rule has two important changes. First, it  now  applies only on a beat to windward and, second, it applies when the port-tack boat is sailing to pass to leeward (not astern) of the starboard-tack boat. Reference to World Sailing Case 132 will be helpful.

RRS 18 .1, When Rule 18 Applies

An additional paragraph is added with words  moved from  RRS 18.2(d). This is intended to clarify when  mark-room  has been given.

RRS 18.3, Passing Head to Wind in the Zone

New title; no change to rule.

RRS 20. 4 ,  Additional Requirements for Hails

 A new rule adding to the obligations of the hailing  and hailed  boat s  to ensure the request for  room  to tack and  any  response is communicated  effectively. The rule also permits  the notice of race  to specify alternative methods of communication ,  such as VHF radio.

Section D Rules

Existing rule 21 is moved to become part of new RRS 43. A s a  consequence the remaining Section D rules are renumbered.

PART 3, CONDUCT OF A RACE

RRS 25.1 ,  Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions

The  n otice of  r ace must now be available to a boat when entering an event.

RRS  28 ,  Sailing the Race

The rule is simplified  as a consequence of  the new definition  Sail the Course .

RRS 29, Recalls, and RRS 30, Starting Penalties

In all these rules the words "crew or equipment" are deleted  as a consequence of  the changes to the definitions  Start  and  Finish . This change is also made in all relevant appendices.

RRS 37, Search and Rescue Instructions

A new rule which, when flag V is displayed, requires th at  all boats in or near the course area  monitor the race committee communication channel . It is intended for use when  the race committee wishes to communicate about a  serious,  or potentially serious ,  incident.

PART 4, OTHER REQUIREMENTS WHEN RACING

Part 4 rules are split into two sections: Section A for general requirements when racing and Section B for equipment related requirements. Consequently  many rules are renumbered; see  the  cross-reference table at the end of this guidance.

RRS 40 ,  Personal Flotation Devices

This rule is rewritten to correct a drafting error and to simplify its application, either by use of flag Y  as specified  or in  the notice of race or  sailing instructions.

RRS 41, Outside Help

The final paragraph of the previous rule was flawed and is deleted .

RRS 42 .3, Propulsion, Exceptions

Minor changes made to RRS 42.3(c) for foiling boats.

RRS 43, Exoneration

This is a new rule bringing together previous rules 14(b), 21 and 64.1(a). The only significant change is the deletion of the word "compelled"  when a boat breaks RRS 31.

RRS  47 , Trash Disposal  (p reviously  rule 55)

This rule now applies  also to  support persons . In  addition RRS 47 can no longer be changed by  the notice of race, by  sailing instructions or by a national authority prescription.

RRS 50, Competitor Clothing and Equipment  (previously  rule 43 )

RRS 50.1(c) is about quick-release trapeze harnesses and takes effect from 1 January 2023. When the rules of a class or an event require a quick-release harness, it shall comply with the stated ISO standard; this last requirement cannot be changed by class rules.

RRS 55.3, Sheeting Sails  (previously rule 50.3)

This is a complex revision to  the  existing rule  and  is beyond the scope of this guidance.

RRS 55.4, Headsails and Spinnakers  (previously rule 50.4)

This rule now states that the definitions in the Equipment Rules of Sailing shall be used to distinguish a headsail from a spinnaker.

PART 5, PROTESTS, REDRESS, HEARINGS, MISCONDUCT AND APPEALS

RRS 60.1, Right to Protest

A new paragraph 60.1(c) clarifies that a boat may submit a report alleging misconduct under RRS 69 or a breach of a rule by a  support person .

RRS 61.1(a), Informing the Protestee

Sub-paragraph (4) is edited  to  make it more relevant to incidents when damage occurs.

RRS 62.2, Redress

A new paragraph 62.2(a) states a time limit for submitting a claim for redress on the last scheduled day of racing. There is no paragraph 62.2(b).

RRS 63.6, Taking Evidence and Finding Facts

RRS 63.6(a) includes a new clause requiring a protest committee to take hearsay  evidence, but  permitting it to exclude evidence  which it considers to be irrelevant or unduly repetitive . RRS 63.6(d)  includes a new clause  requir ing  the protest committee to give the weight it considers appropriate to the evidence presented.

RRS 63. 9,  Hearings under Rule 60.3(d) — Support Persons

This is a new rule  about the process for hearings alleging that a  support person  has broken a  rule .

RRS 64. 1 ,  Standard of Proof, Majority Decisions and Reclassifying Requests

This is a new rule answering questions that have been raised about these matters.

RRS 64.2, Penalties , Exoneration

The previous sub-paragraph  64.2(a)  about exoneration  is  moved to  RRS 43.1(a).

RRS 64. 5 , Decisions Concerning Support Persons  (previously  rule  64.4)

Changes are  made  to clarify permitted penalties for a breach of a  rule  by a  support person .

RRS 64.6, Discretionary Penalties

This is a new rule requiring a protest committee to decide the penalty when a boat reports that she has broken a rule to which [DP] applies.

RRS 65.3, Informing the Parties and Others

This is a new rule permitting a protest committee to direct that the information normally published after a hearing (see RRS 65.1) is to remain confidential to the  parties .

RRS 66, Reopening a Hearing

The existing rule is split into three, numbered 66.1 to 66.3. In RRS 66.2 a request to reopen a hearing must now be in writing. The final paragraph of the previous rule  is rewritten and is now RRS 66.3.

RRS 69, Misconduct

Minor clarifications only.

RRS 70.3, Appeals

When a race passes through the waters of more than one national authority, a default appeal authority is added; this is the national authority where the finishing line is located.

RRS 70.5 ,  Denial of Right of Appeal

RRS 70.5(b) is changed to replicate the 2017 RYA Prescription to the rule.

PART 6, ENTRY AND QUALIFICATION

RRS 75.2, Eligibility Code, and RRS 80, Advertising

These two rules are deleted and are now included in RRS 6.

RRS 7 9 ,  Categorization

Previously the term used was Classification; only the title has changed. The reference to the relevant World Sailing Regulation is moved to RRS 6.

PART 7, RACE ORGANIZATION

As a  consequence  of  deleting  rule 84, Part 7 now starts with RRS 85.

RRS 84, Governing rules

This rule is deleted. The substance of the rule is now RRS 5.

RRS 90.3, Scoring

Paragraph s  ( d )  is new and is merely a clarification.

Paragraph (e) is also new  and permits the notice of race for an event to specify a time after which no race or series score may be changed. This allows an organising authority to have a final closure date for an event. There are exceptions resulting from decisions under RRS 6, 69 or 70.

Appendix A, Scoring

• Previous rule A5  is edited and  becomes new RRS A5.1 . The  edits permit  the race committee to score a boat as  "Did not sail the course"  (see  A10  below) without a hearing. It changes the  long standing  prohibition on such race committee action . Further advice is available in the RYA  Race Management  Guide .
• RRS A4.2 is  deleted  and its content is moved to RRS A5.2.
• RRS A9 is deleted and its content is  clarified and  moved to RRS A5.3.
• RRS A10 and A11 are renumbered as A9 and A10.
• In RRS A10  the abbreviation NSC, for  ' Did not sail the course ' , is added.

Appendix B, Windsurfing Competition Rules

• The appendix is now relevant only for windsurfing fleet races. Rules for other windsurfing disciplines are deleted and moved to the World Sailing website.
• There are  significant  other changes to th e  appendix which are outside the scope of this guidance.

Appendix C, Match Racing Rules

There are significant changes to this appendix. The major changes are

• The definition of  mark - room  now includes room to pass a finishing mark after finishing. 
• Rule 18.3, Tacking or Gybing,  adds a complex clause about exoneration.
• New rule C7.2(f)  permits the umpires to cancel an outstanding penalty on a boat that has already lost the race.

Appendix D, Team Racing Rules

There are significant changes to this appendix. The major  changes  are

• RRS D2, Umpired Races. These are largely clarifications  about process .
• The rules for boats that  take a One-Turn Penalty are clarified.
• RRS D4, Scoring  an Event. The scoring of a knock-out stage is completely rewritten. Other parts of RRS D4 are also rewritten but mainly for clarity.
• Previous rules for the Two-Flag Protest Procedure and Limited Umpiring are deleted.

Appendix E, Radio Sailing Racing Rules

• Hails under RRS 20 must now include the words 'room' and 'tack' and the sail number of the hailing boat.
• RRS E2.1 and other rules clarify the requirements for hailing.
• RRS E3.9 , D isabled  C ompetitors , is rewritten to better enable the provision of  reasonable arrangements to assist disabled competitors.
• RRS E4.3(b) is changed to make clear that, when a boat has gained an advantage despite taking a penalty, she must keep turning until she no longer has any advantage. RRS 4.3(c) applies when there is damage.
• RRS E 5.2, Umpired Races, is deleted. Separately a new 'Test Rule for Umpired Radio Sailing' will be published by World Sailing. This is referenced in the Preamble to the appendix.

Appendix F, Kiteboard ing  Racing Rules

• The definition of  capsized  has been simplified  and that of  recovering  has been expanded .
• Rule 20.1(a) about when a kiteboard may hail for  room  to tack is amended.
• The start sequence in rule 26 has been amended to a 3-2-1 and the option for individual recalls has been removed.

Appendix G, Identification on Sails

• RRS G1.2  and G1.3 are rewritten to try and improve the legibility of sail numbers.
• The 2021 RYA Prescription to Appendix G adds a new rule G2.2 which makes significant changes to Appendix G.

Appendix J, Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions

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By Mike Ure February 21 in Racing Rules

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There is no definition of "close hauled".

"Fetching" is when a boat can pass the mark on the required side without tacking.

Rule 18.3 states a boat tacking on to starboard cannot force a boat( that entered the zone on starboard and is fetching the mark) to sail above close hauled to avoid contact.  This is quite clear when the tacking boat tacks in front of the starboard. It is not clear if the tacking boat is tacking under the starboard boat.

1. A Starboard tack boat enters the zone and is fetching the mark.  She is close  hauled in her best VMG  mode as she has sailed the entire windward leg. A port tack boat tacks on to starboard and pinches up to the mark calling room on the above starboard boat. Both boats can claim to be close hauled!

Can the existing starboard boat be forced to sail above her normal windward close hauled sailing angle.?

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Yes, the original stbd boat must stay clear under R 11 as she becomes windward boat after port tacks to stbd.

If the original stbd has to sail above close hauled to stay clear, then the boat that tacked breaks R 18.3.

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10 hours ago, Mike Ure said: There is no definition of "close hauled". Mike Ure  

when a term in the RRS appears in italics, it is a defined term and is to be applied as described. When a term is used that is not italicized, then we apply the common understanding of the term.

So imagine you are sailing close hauled, sails in tight, and then you luff up a bit, your sails will start to luff - now you are above close hauled.

The question I am really asking is the  tolerance of the meaning of "Close Hauled". Boats may have full sails sheeted in, but have variations on sail chord depth and sheeting angles.

The boat (boat one)on starboard, from entering the zone, is sailing what is considered it's  optimum VMG close hauled sailing course. 

The boat (boat two) approaching on port tacks onto starboard, then sails with reduced sheeting angles (but filled sails) to make the mark.  The boat two sailor considers this to be their optimum VMG close hauled course.

To avoid a collision boat one has to luff above her chosen close hauled course.

Both boats are close hauled, however the course through the water may be 3 to 5 degree different.

Boat one claims it has had to luff above close hauled, and boat two has infringed 18.3.

Your consideration?

If I were on a Protest Committee hearing a scenario such as you describe, I would look for evidence that the sail of the windward boat luffed. If the the evidence presented was that the sail was sheeted full in and the sail still began to luff after the boat altered course to avoid leeward, then I would accept such evidence as conclusive.

Thanks John.

That is the way I see it .

The problem for everyone is that in radio sailing there is always a crowd at the windward mark, and it is impossible to see and remember exactly what happened. 

Part of the fun of radio sailing! I am learning to sail conservatively and avoid likely congestion.

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Forum: Rule 18 and Room at the Mark

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When Do RRS 18.3's Limitations Cease?

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• Yellow and Blue on a beat to windward to round Mark 1 and Offset-Mark 1A to port.
• Blue enters the M1 zone first on port at #1 and successfully tacks at #2-#3 in such a way that Yellow does not sail above close-hauled to avoid Blue and for Yellow to round M1.
• When Blue enters the zone for M1a at #4, Yellow's stern has cleared Mark 1 and Yellow is overlapped to windward of Blue.
• When Yellow enters the zone of M1a at #5, Blue luffs up hard head-to-wind, but does this in such a way that Yellow is able to avoid contact. Afterwards, Blue and Yellow fall-off to round M1a.

Sometimes this situation is also covered by SI's which prohibit "overtaking" or certain tactics between the mark and clearance mark.

Paul you might wanna review Rule 86.1(a) and (b) [Rule ]

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When this rule applies between boats, rule 18.2 does not apply between them.

Therefore, we can toss out considering if yellow was given "mark-room", because the 2nd condition of 18.3 is never satisfied (yellow never obtains an inside overlap).

... and she shall give mark-room if that boat becomes overlapped  inside her.

So, as Matt suggests, remove all the language of 18 which does not apply (BTW, that's my favorite way to walk others thru rules, take a photo copy of the pages and start redlining what doesn't apply). Here's what's left ... 18.1 When Rule 18 Applies Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone . 18.3 Tacking in the Zone If a boat in the zone of a mark to be left to port passes head to wind from port to starboard tack and is then fetching the mark , she shall not cause a boat that has been on starboard tack since entering the  zone  to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact. Ang

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“Both parts are necessary to have the rule apply, and I submit that once a boat has reached the required side of a mark and assumed her course to the next mark, she is no longer required to pass it (on any side)”

Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone .

• National Umpire

This exercise has been pretty interesting and there is something that has been bothering me about the ‘conclusion’ that Blue broke 18.

Some conversation called on Team Race Call E15 as the answer. That call is not a good guide since we no longer have Rule 18.3.a.

John Mooney made some interesting points and I would like to propose the following:

Checking R 18.1 tells us not only when to rule applies, but more importantly, when it does not.

R 18.1.b is one of the exceptions.

(b) between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both is to tack,

Since in your example the course of Blue fulfills this requirement, R 18.1.b takes out the … while one of them is in the zone.

R 18.3 is on and R 18.2 is off.

Blue satisfied R 18.3. When both boats pass the Mark 1, the rules of Section A (which were in force always), allows Blue to change course (no R 17 restriction) to the course she sailed, provided she satisfied R 16, which it appears that she did, and Yellow was able to keep clear.

My answer to your Q 1) No foul

Q 2) This one has an element of Blue Satisfying R 16. If by Blue’s luff Yellow makes contact with M1, then Blue most likely did not give room to Yellow to Keep clear. Some talk about exoneration for Yellow will happen.

Q3) No. Blue is the inside boat that has room to sail to the mark, and room to round the mark as necessary to sail the course.

There was a question when the mark-room ceases to apply.

If the conditions (exceptions) of R 18.1 cannot be applied, then the R 18.1 is clear: “ …as long as one of them is in the zone ”. For another look at it, we can read R 18.2 d.

Makes me wonder if there is a little bit of dichotomy here. Maybe the rule makes clean it up a bit next time around.

• those who hold to what TR E15 describes as applicable ....
• and those who do not and see a limit to 18.3 based upon either "fetching" language (Paul) or language in 18.1 about 'leave the mark" (John M).
• a non-ROW, mark-room-entitled boat has the right to sail a course to the mark once entering zone (RRS's 18.2, 2nd part 18.3, 18.4 .. none of which apply here)
• a non-ROW, mark-room-entitled boat has the right to come to a course toward the next mark as she rounds the mark (RRS's 18.2, 2nd part 18.3, 18.4 .. none of which apply here)
• a non-ROW not being taken above a ROW boat's proper course when the ROW boat gained a leeward close-overlap from clear-astern (RRS 17 ..which does not apply here)

18.1(c) between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or

If a boat in the zone of a mark to be left to port passes head to wind from port to starboard tack and is then fetching the mark ...

If the word "then" was not there, I would agree that it would be a statement of a continuous state of the boat. With the word "then" in there, seems to me it is describing an instant in time which is at the end of the tack described. It is a trigger in time which turns on what follows .. not a description of a continuous state. I would thus argue that the "fetching" argument wouldn't hold. So, that's my final 2 cents on this thread. A simple solution would be to copy the TR E15 to the Cases. I would love to see clarification. Thanks All ... Ang

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Racing Rules of Sailing: Overlaps that Begin Inside the Zone

• By Dick Rose
• Updated: August 19, 2014

This is the fourth in a series on the rights and obligations of boats when one is required to give the other mark-room. The first three articles extensively discussed Rule 18.2(b)—the most important of the three rules that requires one boat to give another mark-room. I estimate that about 90 percent of the situations in which mark-room must be given are covered by Rule 18.2(b), 9 percent by Rule 18.2(a), and 1 percent by Rule 18.3(b). This installment examines situations in which Rules 18.2(a) and 18.3(b) apply.

Rule 18.2(a) starts out by stating: “When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room …” The next words, “unless Rule 18.2(b) applies,” sharply narrow the range of situations in which Rule 18.2(a) applies. It never applies “if boats are overlapped when the first of them reaches the zone” or “if a boat is clear ahead when she reaches the zone.” There are two additional limits on when Rule 18.2(a) applies. The rule is part of Rule 18, so it can only apply when the conditions in Rule 18.1 are met—i.e., when Rule 18 is “switched on” by Rule 18.1. Finally, whenever Rule 18.3 applies, all parts of Rule 18.2, including Rule 18.2(a), are “switched off.”

So, under what circumstances does Rule 18.2(a) make a difference? All the Rule 18.2(a) situations I know of occur either at a windward mark or a leeward mark when a bunch of boats are overlapped as they approach a mark. I will examine four such situations.

In the first diagram, Nancy on starboard tack is about even with Mike, who is on port. The windward mark is to be left to port. Nancy is about two lengths below the starboard-tack layline. When the boats reach the zone, Rule 18, and in particular Rule 18.2(b), does not apply because they are on opposite tacks on a beat to windward (see Rule 18.1(a)) and they are not overlapped (see the definition Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap). Nancy tacks to leeward of Mike. After Nancy turns past head to wind, Rule 18 begins to apply because the boats are in the zone and no longer on opposite tacks. At that time, they are also overlapped with Nancy being the outside boat. Therefore, Rule 18.2(a) begins to apply at that time, and it requires Nancy to give Mike mark-room while the boats remain overlapped. After Nancy has borne off to a close-hauled course, Rule 11 begins to apply, giving Nancy right of way. Mike is entitled to room from Nancy to leave the mark to port, and after he has sailed to a point at which he could tack and fetch the mark, he will also be entitled to room to tack because he is overlapped inside and to windward of Nancy (see the definition Mark-Room). Later, when Mike turns past head to wind during his tack to fetch and then round the mark, Rule 18.2(a), and indeed all parts of Rule 18, will no longer apply because the boats will then be on opposite tacks on a beat to windward.

Why is Rule 18.2(a) needed here? If it did not apply, then just after Position 2 Nancy could luff up to head to wind and force Mike to the wrong side of the mark. The purpose of Rule 18 is to enable boats to round the mark in a fair and orderly manner. It would be quite chaotic if Rule 18 allowed Nancy to force Mike to the wrong side of the mark. He would then have to circle back into the path of other boats approaching the mark.

The second diagram involves Oscar on port tack approaching Pam on starboard as they near a windward mark to be left to starboard. It’s the mirror image of the previous example, and the application of the rules is identical. After Oscar passes head to wind, Rule 18.2(a) requires him to give Pam mark-room.

In the next scenario, Ray on port tack and Sal on starboard are approaching a windward mark to be left to starboard. Ray is far enough ahead of Sal, and Sal is on track far enough to leeward of the mark, that Ray can cross Sal’s bow on port and then tack onto starboard as shown in the diagram. Ray’s speed drops as he tacks resulting in Sal becoming overlapped outside of Ray. Rule 18.2(b) never applied because the boats reached the zone while on opposite tacks on a beat to windward. Rule 18.2(a) requires Sal to give Ray mark-room after the overlap between them begins. Ray then enjoys the same benefits under Rule 18.2(a) that Mike and Pam had in the previous examples.

Alert rule readers will note that, because Ray obtained an inside overlap by tacking to windward of Sal, Rule 18.2(e) applies between Ray and Sal. That rule states that if “the outside boat [Sal] has been unable to give mark-room [to Ray], she is not required to give it.” But Sal can easily give Ray mark-room—Sal has plenty of open water in which to bear away.

The fourth diagram, in which Rule 18.2(a) applies in a traffic jam at a leeward mark, is copied from ISAF Case 59. The width of a boat running downwind with her boom all the way out, measured from her windward rail to the end of her boom, is about equal to her length. Add in a couple of feet of clearance between adjacent boats and it’s easy to see that when four or more boats are sailing abreast directly downwind, only the three most inside boats will be able to enter the zone. Any boats outside those three can’t fit into the three-length zone until the inside boats begin to round the mark.

In our example, Ann, Barb, and Chuck enter the zone while running downwind, and all three are clear ahead of Ed when they reach the zone. Initially, Deb is also clear ahead of Ed. Because Deb is forced to remain outside the zone, she does not enter the zone until well after Ann, Barb, and Chuck. In fact, Ed enters the zone before Deb; when Ed reaches the zone, he is clear astern of Deb, and Deb is outside the zone. Therefore, neither of the two conditions under which Rule 18.2(b) applies is met for Deb and Ed, so Rule 18.2(b) does not apply between them. Before Position 2, when Deb jibes toward the mark, an overlap begins between Ed and Deb, with Deb the outside boat. At that moment, Rule 18.2(a) begins to apply between them, requiring Deb to give Ed mark-room.

Life is tough for Deb. She is required by Rule 18.2(b)’s first sentence to give mark-room to Ann, Barb, and Chuck. She’s also required by Rule 18.2(a) to give mark-room to Ed, who had been well astern of her. What’s more, Ed is required by Rule 18.2(b)’s second sentence to give Ann, Barb, and Chuck mark-room, so the room that Deb is required to give Ed includes the space Ed needs to fulfill his Rule 18.2(b) obligations to Ann, Barb, and Chuck (see the definitions Mark-Room and Room).

Situations where Rule 18.3(b) requires one boat to give another mark-room happen only at windward marks. As an example, say you are on starboard tack fetching a mark to be left to port. Jane is on port tack and inside the zone. Without breaking Rule 13, Jane tacks from port to starboard dead ahead or slightly upwind of your track. Jane loses speed as she tacks, and you get an inside overlap on her. From the moment you get the inside overlap, Rule 18.3(b) requires Jane to give you mark-room. The message to the Janes of the world is clear: If you must tack inside the zone ahead of a boat that’s fetching the mark, delay your tack until you’ve sailed far enough past the fetching boat’s track so you’ll be able to give her room to round inside you after you tack.

This article first appeared in the May/June 2014 issue of Sailing World and is part of a series. Click here to read the other articles in the Mark-Room series. Click here to read more about the Racing Rules of Sailing.

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Friday 9 November 2012

Rrs 2013-2016; rule 18.3.

If two boats were approaching a mark on opposite tacks and one of them changes tack , and as a result is subject to rule 13 in the zone when the other is fetching the mark , rule 18.2 does not thereafter apply. The boat that changed tack (a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact or prevent      the other boat from passing the mark on the required side, and (b) shall give mark-room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her.

If a boat in the zone passes head to wind and is then on the same tack as a boat that is fetching the mark , rule 18.2 does not thereafter apply between them. The boat that changed tack (a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact or prevent      the other boat from passing the mark on the required side, and (b) shall give mark-room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her.

13 comments:

In Case A, Purple does not appear to pass head to wind, and so 18.3 does not apply. In Case B, Purple passes head to wind briefly to port and again back to stbd. However Blue begins to head up to avoid Purple (while purple still has ROW) before Purple reaches head to wind and does not have to luff further once Purple passes head to wind and so I would still not apply 18.3. So the luff by Blue is not due to Purple going past head to wind, but rather to avoid Purple while Purple is ROW under R 11, R 17 and R 18.2.b. John

Yes I think the boat would be disqualified,. I do not see a change, the boat would be dsq now as we'll. the boat is tacking when past head to wind but has changed tack under the definition

In the current rule the first premise is that boats must be approaching the mark. In these situations the boat changing tack is already at the mark. I would not DSQ under the current rules but would under the new ones.

I think the comment about boats approaching a mark in the current rule was intended to make the distinction between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it. I think you are approaching a mark until you are leaving it. There is no intermediate stage where you are neither approaching nor leaving but at. To me, the only change is in the current rules, 18.3 applies if you complete a tack in the zone whereas the new one applies if you pass head to wind in the zone. Wag

I'm with Mike B. As soon as purple passed htw onto port, she was approaching the mark on port. When she tacked onto starboard tack again, 18.3 applied. DSQ under 09-12 as well.

I think in both versions, purple broke 18.3. At the moment she passed htw, she was approaching the mark on port tack while grey and red were fetching the mark...

Does purple forced other boats to change course while she (purple) was subject to rules 13? Is it enough that the other boats has changed the course after purple has tacked to conclude that purple has not broken 13? Can she be exonerated for breaking rule 13? If I understand correctly from the images, at least in the first case, purple boat for a short time is on port tack. And while she on port tack she is not keeping clear of other boats (so she is breaking 10, and 15 does not applies here).

It does appear that there USA change before you need to be approaching the mark on opposite tacks or 18.3 didn't apply. Now you need to be careful not to pass head to wind even by a little bit or you will be subject to the limitations in 18.3. Do you know what the problem they were trying to solve with this change in wording?

In any case, it does not appear that the boats in either example were drawn as being on opposite tacks when they were approaching the mark.

I agree with Jos, and that's definitely one of the reasons the Section C Working Party proposed the change -- under the 2009-2012 RRS, a port-tack boat coming in right at the mark could argue that she was not "approaching the mark" before she tacked, but was already at the mark. Of course, that boat was the prime reason for having rule 18.3 in the first place! A second change, from "... subject to rule 13 in the zone ..." to "... in the zone passes head to wind ..." was mainly for readability; rule 13 has nothing to do with this rule. The 2009-2012 expression "subject to rule 13" was simply a surrogate for "past head to wind and not yet on a close-hauled course." Some readers were saying, "but I was never subject to rule 13 -- when I tacked I was nowhere near any other boats ...". The new wording is certainly clearer, but note that it moves application of the rule about a half boatlength closer to the mark -- in 2013-2016, the tacking boat must pass head to wind in the zone, not just be subject to rule 13 in the zone, for rule 18.3 to apply to her. The third change, highlighted by Situation B, is that as of 2013 the tacking boat breaks rule 18.3 if the other boat goes above head to wind "to avoid contact" whereas the current wording is "to avoid her". So if only Red has to go above close hauled in Situation B, Purple breaks the 2013-2016 RRS but not the 2009-2012 RRS.

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Under the new rules for 2013 to 2016 Question what happens if there is a vessel A how is ahead on port tack and has to tack to around the mark. And that the vessel B astern is on Starboard tack with Proper Course rule 17. The vessel A on port complete her tack and is now ahead and Right of Way in less than 2 second that the vessel B astern on Starboard tack runs into A stern. how is at fault on this? And under which rule

Anonymous, 7th Dec, B is at fault, A is likely also to be at fault. B breaks rule 12 and is not exonerated under rule 21 because she is not (when she runs into the back of A) entitled to mark room under 18.3. It might be that A broke rule 15. If these were dinghies and it was near 2 seconds, I think not. If they were keel boats or it was a lot less than 2 secs, I think so. If A broke 15, then B is exonerated. B broke rule 14 unless A broke rule 15. If A broke 15, she also broke 14. Assuming A passed head to wind in the zone, she is restricted by 18.3 a and b. It is likely that B would have to sail above close hauled to avoid by going to windward and A would be unable to give mark room if B went to leeward. A would break 18.3 in these circumstances. Wag