Well done John949!
Frequently on a start line we will see one boat creeping up to the line, luffing their sails and holding position and another boat will approach from astern and establish an overlap to leeward. In the diagram, we have two boats on the same tack with Yellow, clear ahead having ROW (R12). When they become overlapped, Green becomes ROW (R11), and as ROW changed, R15 applies briefly. While the overlap exists, Yellow is subject to R11 and Green must give room if she alters course R16.1. While we are familiar with these rules that normally apply as the positions change, there is another rule to keep in mind in this scenario. That rule is R 17.
The diagram shows Green establishing an overlap to leeward of Yellow from astern, and so R 17 applies. R 17 invokes ‘proper course’ to place a restriction on the course of the leeward boat, so we have to examine the definition of proper course which says that it applies EXCEPT before a boat’s starting signal.
If we apply that to the diagram, then while R 17 applies as soon as the overlap was established, there is no proper course and Green may luff Yellow up to HTW until the starting signal, which occurs at P3. As soon as the starting signal is made, Green as leeward overlapped boat under R 17 may not sail above her proper course. As this is a beat to windward, the proper course for Green would be no higher than close hauled.
After the starting signal (and even if the boats have not yet started), Green may not luff above close hauled while the overlap exists. As drawn, Green luffs up (her jib is luffing) as she crosses the start line – and to stay clear under R 11, Yellow also luffs up – and at that point hails ‘Protest’.
I think the Protest Committee decision would be to DSQ Green under R 17.
John
By
John Ball ·
