2017-20 Rules Changes.
Discussion
I'm in one of those situations when I've been having to do some reading up of the rule book and I think I've spotted a big change to "the rules" if I've read them correctly.
It regards luffing rights when two boats are on the same tack.
Historically an overtaking boat had no rights until it was clear ahead.
I think it now looks as if as soon as an overtaking boat gets an overlap to leeward it has luffing rights provided they're sailing their proper course, subject to all the usual time n room stuff and debate over what is/isn't proper course.
Have I read this correctly?
It regards luffing rights when two boats are on the same tack.
Historically an overtaking boat had no rights until it was clear ahead.
I think it now looks as if as soon as an overtaking boat gets an overlap to leeward it has luffing rights provided they're sailing their proper course, subject to all the usual time n room stuff and debate over what is/isn't proper course.
Have I read this correctly?
So it doesn’t mention it in the rules however I then found this quite good PowerPoint covering all the rules and a breakdown of how they apply.
https://scow.org/resources/RACING%20DIRECTOR/Racin...
“Note: the phrase “luffing rights” does not appear in the rules, but Rule 17 is the rule that governs luffing rights. In short, a boat has luffing rights if Rule 17 does not apply.”
Had a very "interesting" chat with our club rules guru last night and it was for the preparation for the chat that I came across this and was confused as it appeared to go against COLREGS.
As this wasn't relevant I didn't bring it up until after the verdict had been handed down. (I lost).
But yes in summary these two rules do contradict each other, in COLREGS there's "Overtaking boat keep clear" but in ISAF there is no such rule.
So, as soon as a boat gets an overlap to leeward the windward boat has to keep clear (subject to the usual time n room stuff) provided the leeward boat sails it's proper course (which might not be the proper course of the the windward boat).
He referred me to page 52 of a book recently published and which he knew I had just received
He did point out that if A were a symmetric and B were an asymmetric their "proper courses" could be massively different, he also pointed out that they were the same boat then B could quite literally come from behind, keep going and A would have to get out of his way.. like a tenpin bowl on the pins!
As this wasn't relevant I didn't bring it up until after the verdict had been handed down. (I lost).
But yes in summary these two rules do contradict each other, in COLREGS there's "Overtaking boat keep clear" but in ISAF there is no such rule.
So, as soon as a boat gets an overlap to leeward the windward boat has to keep clear (subject to the usual time n room stuff) provided the leeward boat sails it's proper course (which might not be the proper course of the the windward boat).
He referred me to page 52 of a book recently published and which he knew I had just received
He did point out that if A were a symmetric and B were an asymmetric their "proper courses" could be massively different, he also pointed out that they were the same boat then B could quite literally come from behind, keep going and A would have to get out of his way.. like a tenpin bowl on the pins!
Marcellus said:
I'm in one of those situations when I've been having to do some reading up of the rule book and I think I've spotted a big change to "the rules" if I've read them correctly.
It regards luffing rights when two boats are on the same tack.
Historically an overtaking boat had no rights until it was clear ahead.
I think it now looks as if as soon as an overtaking boat gets an overlap to leeward it has luffing rights provided they're sailing their proper course, subject to all the usual time n room stuff and debate over what is/isn't proper course.
Have I read this correctly?
Make sure you take note of the "within 2 hull lengths to leeward" part of this. If you get your overlap from further to leeward you aren't restricted to proper course. Also I'd stay away from using terms like "luffing rights" that aren't actually defined in the rules but are peoples' constructions on top of them, they lead to confusion and misunderstandings. Similarly to "tacking in someone's water". It regards luffing rights when two boats are on the same tack.
Historically an overtaking boat had no rights until it was clear ahead.
I think it now looks as if as soon as an overtaking boat gets an overlap to leeward it has luffing rights provided they're sailing their proper course, subject to all the usual time n room stuff and debate over what is/isn't proper course.
Have I read this correctly?
Good luck getting a (proper) protest committee to take you seriously if you offer up something like that in the room!
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