Racing Rules

The Work of a Lifetime

The Basics: Avoiding Collisions

The core principle of right-of-way rules is to prevent collisions. These rules establish a hierarchy of responsibility, determining who must “give way” (change course to avoid a collision) and who has the “right of way” (the privilege to maintain their course).

Key Concepts:

• Stand-on Vessel: The boat with the right of way. It maintains its course and speed.
• Give-way Vessel: The boat that must take action to avoid a collision.
• Keep Clear: A general term meaning to avoid a collision by a safe margin.
• Clear Astern/Ahead: One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other boat is clear ahead. Note: Include rudder and any bowsprit when determining the aftermost and forwardmost points of a boat.

The specific rules:

Rule 10: Opposite Tacks (Port and Starboard): When sailboats are on opposite tacks, the boat on port tack must keep clear of the boat on starboard tack.

This rule applies when two sailboats are approaching each other on opposite tacks.

• Definition of Tacks:
  • Starboard Tack: The wind is coming over the starboard (right) side of the boat.
  • Port Tack: The wind is coming over the port (left) side of the boat.
• Simple Explanation: Starboard has right of way. If you’re on port tack, you must give way. If you are on starboard tack and it looks like a boat on port tack will collide with you, yell loudly “Starboard!” to alert another boat that you are on the starboard tack and have the right-of-way.

Rule 11: Same Tack, Overlapped: When sailboats are on the same tack and overlapped, the windward boat (the boat closer to the wind) must keep clear of the leeward boat (the boat further from the wind).

This rule applies when two sailboats are on the same tack and are overlapped.

• Definition of Overlapped: Boats overlap when neither is clear astern. However, they also overlap when a boat between them overlaps both.
• Simple Explanation: “Leeward has right of way.” If you are upwind of another boat on the same tack, you must give way.

Rule 14: Avoiding Contact: A boat shall avoid a collision and avoid causing other boats to collide. If avoidance is not possible, a boat shall minimize contact.

This is a fundamental safety rule that applies regardless of other right-of-way rules.

• Simple Explanation: Even if you have the right of way, you must take action to avoid a collision if it’s clear the other boat isn’t going to give way. This rule emphasizes common sense and safety above all else.
• Important note: Even if you are the stand on boat, you still have the responsibility to avoid a collision. You can, and should, take action to avoid a collision if it is clear that the give way vessel is not.

Putting it Together

• First, determine if the boats are on opposite tacks (Rule 10).
• If they’re on the same tack, determine if they’re overlapped (Rule 11).
• Regardless of the other rules, always remember to avoid collisions (Rule 14).

Practical Tips for Beginners

• Practice Identifying Tacks: Get comfortable quickly determining whether you and other boats are on port or starboard tack.
• Overlapped or Overlapping: Know when another boat overlaps you by coming from behind or when you overlap another boat in front of you.
• Look Around Frequently: Maintain situational awareness to anticipate potential collisions.
• Communicate: If you’re unsure about who has the right of way, communicate with the other boat. A simple “starboard?” can prevent a lot of confusion.
• When in doubt, give way: It is always better to be safe than sorry.
• Take a sailing course: Nothing beats hands-on experience and instruction from a certified instructor.

Marks and Obstructions

We won’t cover it here, but once you are comfortable with 10, 11 and 14 you can move on to understanding Rule 18 which 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 (the area around a mark within a distance of three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it.).

Sailing is a fantastic sport, and understanding these basic right-of-way rules is essential for safe and enjoyable sailing.