American 18 Boatshare Fleet

Sailing Sarasota Bay

Changes to the racing rules of sailing since 2009

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The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), published by World Sailing (formerly ISAF), are revised and re-issued every four years. Since 2009, there have been changes aimed at clarifying existing rules, addressing new tactics, and improving the overall fairness and safety of racing. Here’s a summary of the key changes:

2009-2012 Edition

  • Section C Restructure (Marks and Obstructions): This was a major overhaul. Rule 18 (Marks), Rule 19 (Obstructions), and Rule 20 (Room to Tack) were significantly rewritten and clarified.
  • Three-Length Zone: The “zone” around a mark, where Rule 18 applies, was increased from two to three hull lengths for most races, giving boats more time to establish rights and obligations.
  • “Mark-Room” Definition: A new definition of “Mark-Room” was introduced, specifying the room a boat is entitled to when approaching and rounding a mark. This helped clarify how much space an inside boat is owed.
  • Exoneration: The concept of exoneration for breaking a right-of-way rule while taking entitled mark-room was formalized.
  • Obstruction Definition: A boat racing was no longer considered an obstruction to other boats if they were required to give her room or mark-room, simplifying some complex mark-rounding scenarios.
  • Rule 18.2(c) Change: A specific change was made to prevent a boat from tacking just before reaching a mark to gain mark-room from boats that were clear ahead.

2013-2016 Edition

  • “U” Flag as Preparatory Signal: The “U” flag was added as a standard preparatory signal, indicating that if any part of a boat’s hull, crew, or equipment is in the starting line triangle during the last minute before the start, she is disqualified for that race (but not for a restarted or resailed race).
  • Support Persons: The rules clarified that “support persons” (e.g., coaches, parents) are also bound by the rules, and competitors/owners agree to this on their behalf. This allowed for penalties for breaches by support persons.
  • Rule 14 (Avoiding Contact): Language was amended to reflect the new “Mark-Room” definition.
  • Scoring Penalty: The scoring penalty was redefined as “20% of the score for a DNF” (rounded), with a provision that it should not result in a worse score than a DNF.

2017-2020 Edition:

  • Serious Damage/Injury when not Racing: The preamble to Part 2 was changed to allow for penalties for boats that break Rule 14 (Avoiding Contact) and cause injury or serious damage, even if the boats are not currently racing.
  • Rule 18.2(d) Mark-Room “Shut Off”: This new provision clarified when mark-room ceases to apply – when the boat has been given room, passes head-to-wind, or leaves the zone.
  • Rule 19.1 (Room to Pass an Obstruction): Changes were made to address complex scenarios involving three overlapped boats at a mark, aiming to prevent a windward boat from being penalized for not being able to give room to a middle boat due to another boat.
  • Rule 20 (Room to Tack at an Obstruction): This rule was refined, including a provision that a boat can only hail for room to tack if she needs a substantial course change and is sailing close-hauled or above. The hailed boat must still respond even if the hail is a breach.
  • Rule 22.3 (Starting Errors; Backing a Sail): A specific rule was introduced to address boats backing a sail to move sideways to windward on the starting line, requiring them to keep clear of boats not doing so.
  • Rule 40 (Personal Flotation Device): A provision was added stating that if flag Y is displayed ashore, PFDs must be worn at all times while afloat.
  • Rule 69 (Misconduct): This rule, dealing with cheating and bringing the sport into disrepute, was re-worded and expanded to explicitly include misconduct by support persons.

2021-2024 Edition

  • “Hull” for Start and Finish: The definition of “Start” and “Finish” now explicitly states that only the hull (not crew or equipment) needs to cross the line.
  • “Sail the Course” Definition: A new definition was added to clarify what it means to “sail the course” throughout the RRS, making it easier for race committees to score boats “NSC” (Not Sailing the Course) without a protest hearing.
  • Exoneration Consolidation (New Rule 43): Various statements regarding exoneration were consolidated into a new Rule 43, clarifying when a boat is exonerated for breaking a rule (e.g., when compelled by another breaking a rule, or when sailing within entitled room).
  • Support Persons’ Obligations: The obligations for support persons were further enhanced, including a requirement to give aid to persons/vessels in danger (Rule 1.1) and a prohibition on disposing trash on-water (Rule 47). A boat can now seek redress for the actions of another boat’s support persons.
  • Rule 16.2 (Changing Course): Wording was revised to specifically address “hunting” tactics in team racing on a beat to windward, aiming to prevent a starboard boat from bearing off to shut off a port-tack boat.
  • New Race Signal (Flag V): Flag V was added to the race signals, requiring competitors to monitor the race committee’s radio channel for Search and Rescue instructions when displayed.
  • Blue Flag for Finish Line: A solid blue flag now designates one end of the finish line (unless changed in the sailing instructions), replacing the orange flag which is now solely for the starting line.

2025-2028 Edition

Several definitions have been updated for greater precision

  • Committee: This term is now explicitly defined to encompass the protest committee, race committee, or technical committee, streamlining rule references.
  • Continuing Obstruction: A new definition for “continuing obstruction” clarifies its application, particularly for long features like breakwaters. It’s an obstruction that a boat will pass alongside for at least three of her hull lengths. However, vessels underway, boats racing, or race committee vessels that are also marks are not considered continuing obstructions.
  • Finish: The definition of “Finish” no longer requires a boat to have “started” to finish. This clarifies that a boat receiving a scoring penalty for being OCS (on course side at the start) can still be recorded as having finished the race. Sailing instructions can now also change the direction boats are required to cross the finish line.
  • Mark-Room: While generally consistent, the definition of “Mark-Room” has been shortened, removing the phrase “as necessary to sail the course” to avoid confusion with the “sail the course” definition. It now also explicitly includes room to leave the mark astern.
  • Proper Course: This definition has been tweaked to clarify a boat’s choice of course in the absence of other boats.
  • Sail the Course: This definition, previously a rule, has been moved to the Definitions section and simplified. It includes the requirement to start, round or pass each mark on the required side and in order, and finish.

Part 2 (When Boats Meet) Clarifications

  • Rule 14 (Avoiding Contact): A significant addition (Rule 14(c)) now states that a boat shall not cause contact between a boat and an object that should be avoided (e.g., a race committee vessel). This aims to prevent scenarios where one boat’s maneuver forces another into a collision with an object.
  • Rule 17 (On the Same Tack; Proper Course): The last sentence of the previous rule has been deleted. This impacts “slam dunk” maneuvers on a beat to windward, making it potentially harder for a port-tack boat to defend against a starboard-tack boat that tacks just as they are ducking.
  • Rule 18 (Marks): The structure of Rule 18 has been reorganized for better readability, but the fundamental principles of giving mark-room remain largely the same. A key change for determining mark-room in clear ahead/astern situations is when the first of two boats enters the zone. If they are overlapped at that moment, the inside boat gets room; if not, the boat that has not reached the zone gives mark-room. This aims to settle mark-room earlier.
  • Rule 19 (Obstructions): The integration of the new “Continuing Obstruction” definition simplifies the application of Rule 19 in such scenarios.
  • Rule 20 (Room to Tack at an Obstruction): The rule on hailing for room to tack has been further refined.
  • Part 5 (Protests) Re-write: This section has undergone a complete rewrite for clarity and simplification. While the underlying obligations for protests, redress, and hearings haven’t drastically changed, the rule numbers and structure have been updated. Protest forms will now need to clearly identify the protestor, protestee, and the incident.

Other Notable Changes

  • Scoring Penalty (Rule 44.3): Scoring penalties now explicitly require the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions to allow them. The rounding for the 20% scoring penalty has also been adjusted to the nearest tenth of a point.
  • Rule 40 (Personal Flotation Device): Clarifications have been added that a rule in class rules, a Notice of Race, or Sailing Instructions can specify that PFDs must be worn.
  • Rule 56.3 (Tracking Systems): A new rule promotes safety by requiring that, if used, AIS and similar tracking devices should not be turned off.
  • Abandonment Signals (Flag N): The signals for abandonment (Flag N, N over H) now more precisely apply to “races in progress” at the time the signal is made, removing some ambiguity for fleets not yet started.
  • Rule 76 (Exclusion of Boats or Competitors): This rule has been tidied up, clarifying the process for rejecting or canceling a boat’s entry.
  • Rule 78.1 (Compliance with Class Rules): This rule now balances penalties for breaches of class rules, aligning with provisions for lesser penalties.
  • Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) References: The RRS now references the ERS more explicitly at relevant rules (e.g., Rule 50, Competitor Equipment and Clothing), clarifying specific equipment terms.

Overall, the 2025-2028 RRS aim for greater clarity, reduce ambiguity in complex scenarios, and emphasize safety, while largely maintaining the core principles of racing. It is crucial for sailors and race officials to consult the new official rulebook and any national prescriptions (like those from US Sailing) to fully understand all the nuances.