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Learn Sailing

Sailing Rules

By Scott Melander
January 16, 2001

"... You'll learn and remember the rules faster and more clearly if you take a step back and try to see exactly what actions each rule is trying to produce or eliminate." (Dave Perry)

"You haven't won the race if in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors." (Paul Elvstrom)

Definitions

Tacking

A boat is in the process of tacking when she is head to wind until she is on her new close hauled course.

Windward

The side of the boat closest to the wind

Leeward

The side of the boat away from the wind or the side the sail is positioned.

Starboard/Port

A boat is on a tack corresponding to her windward side.

Overlapped

When two boats on the same tack are neither clear astern or clear ahead.

Part I

A boat or competitor shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.

A boat and her owner shall compete in compliance with recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play.

Part II

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

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

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

After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close hauled course.

Resources

The Racing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004 US Sailing

Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing Dave Perry

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