Hobie University, NAHCA
Page
37
31 Mar 02
Part 2 - When Boats Meet
The rules of Part 2 apply between boats that are sailing in or near the racing area and intend to
race
, are
racing
, or have been
racing
. However, a boat not
racing
shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 22.1. The International
Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or government right-of-way rules apply between a boat sailing under these rules and
a vessel that is not, and they replace these rules if the sailing instructions so state.
Section A - Right of Way
A boat has right of way when another boat is required to
keep clear
of her. However, some rules in Sections B and C limit the
actions of a right-of-way boat.
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 others port side shall
keep clear
.
Section B - General Limitations
14 Avoiding Contact
A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However, a right-of-way boat or one entitled to
room
(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not
keeping clear
or giving
room
, and
(b) shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact that causes damage.
15 Acquiring Right of Way
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat
room
to
keep clear
, unless she acquires right of way
because of the other boat's actions.
16 Changing Course
16.1 When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat
room
to
keep clear
.
16.2 In addition, when after the starting signal boats are about to cross or are crossing each other on opposite tacks, and the
port-tack
boat is
keeping clear
of a the
starboard-tack
boat, the
starboard-tack
boat shall not change course if as a result the
port-tack
boat would immediately need to change course to continue
keeping 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.
