February 21, 20242 yr There is no definition of "close hauled". "Fetching" is when a boat can pass the mark on the required side without tacking. Rule 18.3 states a boat tacking on to starboard cannot force a boat( that entered the zone on starboard and is fetching the mark) to sail above close hauled to avoid contact. This is quite clear when the tacking boat tacks in front of the starboard. It is not clear if the tacking boat is tacking under the starboard boat. Question . 1. A Starboard tack boat enters the zone and is fetching the mark. She is close hauled in her best VMG mode as she has sailed the entire windward leg. A port tack boat tacks on to starboard and pinches up to the mark calling room on the above starboard boat. Both boats can claim to be close hauled! Can the existing starboard boat be forced to sail above her normal windward close hauled sailing angle.? Mike Ure
February 21, 20242 yr Yes, the original stbd boat must stay clear under R 11 as she becomes windward boat after port tacks to stbd. If the original stbd has to sail above close hauled to stay clear, then the boat that tacked breaks R 18.3. John
February 21, 20242 yr Mike, It sounds like you are new to the racing rules - and I have a whole web site designed just for you.😀 https://sites.google.com/site/johnsrcsailingrulesandtactics/ John
February 21, 20242 yr 10 hours ago, Mike Ure said: There is no definition of "close hauled". Mike Ure Mike, when a term in the RRS appears in italics, it is a defined term and is to be applied as described. When a term is used that is not italicized, then we apply the common understanding of the term. So imagine you are sailing close hauled, sails in tight, and then you luff up a bit, your sails will start to luff - now you are above close hauled. John
February 24, 20242 yr Author The question I am really asking is the tolerance of the meaning of "Close Hauled". Boats may have full sails sheeted in, but have variations on sail chord depth and sheeting angles. The boat (boat one)on starboard, from entering the zone, is sailing what is considered it's optimum VMG close hauled sailing course. The boat (boat two) approaching on port tacks onto starboard, then sails with reduced sheeting angles (but filled sails) to make the mark. The boat two sailor considers this to be their optimum VMG close hauled course. To avoid a collision boat one has to luff above her chosen close hauled course. Both boats are close hauled, however the course through the water may be 3 to 5 degree different. Boat one claims it has had to luff above close hauled, and boat two has infringed 18.3. Your consideration? Mike Ure
February 24, 20242 yr Hi Mike, If I were on a Protest Committee hearing a scenario such as you describe, I would look for evidence that the sail of the windward boat luffed. If the the evidence presented was that the sail was sheeted full in and the sail still began to luff after the boat altered course to avoid leeward, then I would accept such evidence as conclusive. John
February 26, 20242 yr Author Thanks John. That is the way I see it . The problem for everyone is that in radio sailing there is always a crowd at the windward mark, and it is impossible to see and remember exactly what happened. Part of the fun of radio sailing! I am learning to sail conservatively and avoid likely congestion. Mike Ure
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