Forum: The Racing Rules of Sailing
Rule on blocking when Clear Ahead when racing
Alan Chidsey
Nationality: United States
0
I understand Rule 12 – On the Same Tack, Not Overlapped
When boats are on the same tack, and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
But what is the rule on the boat clear ahead altering course to keep a boat clear astern from gaining overlap.
In one race I was heading for the leeward mark, clear ahead, and as another boat which was clear astern, which had greater speed, maneuvered to pass me, I altered course to reposition my stern to basically block him.
He stated that "blocking" was not allowed, so I stopped swerving and he pulled into an overlapped position.
What is the relevant rule(s) that addresses this situation?
Thanks,
Alan
When boats are on the same tack, and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
But what is the rule on the boat clear ahead altering course to keep a boat clear astern from gaining overlap.
In one race I was heading for the leeward mark, clear ahead, and as another boat which was clear astern, which had greater speed, maneuvered to pass me, I altered course to reposition my stern to basically block him.
He stated that "blocking" was not allowed, so I stopped swerving and he pulled into an overlapped position.
What is the relevant rule(s) that addresses this situation?
Thanks,
Alan
Comments
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Other limitations apply in other situations.
Unless the had just a temporary speed advantage, why would you? if they went to windward that would have slowed you significantly as took wind from you sails, when handicap racing our preferred method was always "faster boats to leeward" unless very close to the zone and it gave them Mark Room
Some unscrupulous racers have been known to cite non-existent rules on occasion to mess with the heads of other skippers. Ask them what rule it is! I had a guy insist that port tack boats had rights over me on starboard. I just called out, 'Nope, Rule 10!' It pays to know your rules well. I read the book at the start of every season. Just to be fresh.
Is there any source for old RRS? I never thought I'd have to save my old rule books.
I try to refrain from casting intension and aspersions onto other fellow racers. More often than not, I have found such "tidbits" as "no blocking" are based on misunderstanding or remnants of rules-gone-by .. rather than scruples.
I found you can get old editions of Elvstrom online for cheap. Sometimes they still have the plastic boats in them.