Racing Rule 10 -- On Opposite Tacks  Close Window

When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.

Racing Rule 11 – On The Same Tack, Overlapped  Close Window

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

Racing Rule 12 – On The Same Tack, Not Overlapped  Close Window

When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.

Racing Rule 13 – While Tacking  Close Window

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.

Racing Rule 14 – Avoiding Contact  Close Window

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 or injury.

Racing Rule 16 – Changing Course  Close Window

16.1  When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.

Racing Rule 18 – Rounding And Passing Marks And Obstructions  Close Window

In rule 18, room is room for an inside boat to round or pass between an outside boat and a mark or obstruction, including room to tack or gybe when either is a normal part of the maneuver.

18.2 – Giving Room; Keeping Clear  Close Window

(a) Overlapped – Basic Rule

When boats are overlapped the outside boat shall give the inside boat room to round or pass the mark or obstruction, and if the inside boat has right of way the outside boat shall also keep clear.  Other parts of rule 18 contain exceptions to this rule.

(c) Not Overlapped at the Zone

If a boat is clear ahead at the time she reaches the two-length zone, the boat clear astern shall thereafter keep clear.  If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped outside the other boat she shall also give the inside boat room.  If the boat clear astern becomes overlapped inside the other boat she is not entitled to room.  If the boat that was clear ahead passes head to wind, Rule 18.2(c) no longer applies.

Racing Rule 20 – Starting Errors; Penalty Turns; Moving Astern  Close Window

A boat sailing towards the pre-start side of the starting line or its extensions after her starting signal to comply with rule 29.1 or 30.1 shall keep clear of a boat not doing so until she is completely on the pre-start side.  A boat making a penalty turn shall keep clear of one that is not.  A boat moving astern by backing a sail shall keep clear of one that is not.

Racing Rule 31 – Touching a Mark  Close Window

31.1  While racing, a boat shall not touch a starting mark before starting, a mark that begins, bounds or ends the leg of the course on which she is sailing, or a finishing mark after finishing.

31.2  A boat that has broken rule 31.1 may, after getting well clear of other boats as soon as possible, take a penalty by promptly making one turn including one tack and one gybe. When a boat takes the penalty after touching a finishing mark, she shall sail completely to the course side of the line before finishing. However, if a boat has gained a significant advantage in the race or series by touching the mark her penalty shall be to retire.

Racing Rule 44 – Penalties For Breaking Rules of Part 2  Close Window

44.1  Taking a Penalty 

A boat that may have broken a rule of Part 2 while racing may take a penalty at the time of the incident. Her penalty shall be a Two-Turns Penalty unless the sailing instructions specify the use of the Scoring Penalty or some other penalty. However, if she caused injury or serious damage or gained a significant advantage in the race or series by her breach her penalty shall be to retire.

44.2  Two-Turns Penalty 

After getting well clear of other boats as soon after the incident as possible, a boat takes a Two-Turns Penalty by promptly making two turns in the same direction, including two tacks and two gybes. When a boat takes the penalty at or near the finishing line, she shall sail completely to the course side of the line before finishing.