Prior to start (approx 10secs to go), Boat C is hovering/edging towards the line on starboard. Boat A crosses ahead on port and tacks just ahead of C, ending up ahead, very slightly off port bow, of C. No problem at all with the initial proximity of tacking in front of C, but A stalls in the tack and drifts/steers backwards to get out of irons. C has to bear away behind A to avoid contact.

Thoughts/reasonings on right(s) of way...?

I'm wondering if A never did complete tack and therefore did end up tacking too close?

Scenario 2: both were hovering on starboard for 20 secs or more, rather than A tacking from port; A overcooks the hovering, goes into irons and similarly needs to reverse out

Edited Tuesday at 11:185 days by Colin Helliwell

Hi Colin,

my thoughts are that for scenario 1, boat A passed HTW from port to STBD, but did not reach a close hauled course, so is still subject to R 13 and must stay clear of C.

For scenario 2, from discussion with judges, R 21.3 (sailing backwards) does not apply as the boat has no crew to 'back a sail'. so it does not apply to just drifting backward. If we say that the leeward/ahead boat Boat A luffed up towards HTW (but not passed), then she is still on stbd, but her action in luffing up (over-stuffing in your words) is a ROW boat altering course, then 16.1 applies, and she must give room to C to stay clear.

John

Edited Tuesday at 14:084 days by John Ball
added two diagrams, one for the incomplete tack and one for the luff and stall

Thanks John, your pics cover what I was trying to put in words 🙂

For scenario 2, at position 3: Boat C is not required to predict/preempt the moment that Boat A might start moving astern i.e. having time and opportunity doesn't begin till then?

I imagine its a quirky situation but then it's often those sort that, in the heat of the moment, have many of us thinking "ermm, I'm not sure..!"

Edited Tuesday at 15:064 days by Colin Helliwell