Tacking in the zone and mark room.

OK, so I’m approaching the windward mark, on port, about a couple of boat lengths shy of the port tack lay line. There’s a boat approaching above (my perception) the starboard tack lay-line who is plainly the right of way boat. Doing nothing would result in a collision. I don't have the space to cross. I will have to tack or duck. Because it appears there’s space, I elect to tack (yes – in the zone) to leeward, on the starboard lay-line. When my tack is complete I don't think there's an overlap. Further, he (I maintain) bears down onto me and collides. Calls of ‘Protest’ from the other boat, so I did my turns, on the basis that I tacked in the zone and in doing so forfeited all rights.

Question is: Did I need to? I read rule 18 but could not work out who was in the right…

And also don't forget that while he was right of way boat he was always entitled to sail straight for the mark even if lower than close hauled. That might feel like bearing down on you but it's his right.

Ed, thanks. I completely agree that it's a he said/she said and my aim here is education.  Your diagram is pretty much spot on. Yes, I tack facing forwards. Distance between us when my tack was completed? I would say that his bow passed my transom as I sat down on the side deck. Crew hadn't had time to get onto the wire (may not have been going out anyway as were were about to round the top mark and go for the hoist). W/W boat's course was lower than mine but not by much. Contact was beam to beam close to amidships - just a brush past, really.

At no time did I make him go above a close-hauled course.

Perception of bearing down was due to my impression that he changed course. Impossible to prove one way or the other.

Jim, I also appreciate that he can sail straight to the mark and doesn't have to anticipate any action on my part, but see previous para.

I guess it would come down to when the overlap was established and/or whether he did bear away after hailing 'Starboard'.

I'd say that doing your turns was a very good move if things were that close. Coming into the mark tight on Port always a big risk, and I always assume I'll be in the wrong if the move fails. And yes, I'd be cross if I thought the starboard boat had borne away after the tack, not before, but chances are any witnesses wouldn't see it my way - if it is that close, it is too close. Been there, done the turns - grumpily.

I'm a Fireball, so not the fasted tacking ship on the planet. The other is a Flying Fifteen (20' Uffa Fox designed racing keelboat - carry speed well 'cos they weigh quite a lot!) We're faster, in theory, but until we're properly planing upwind they can be all over us.

This is all about time and opportunity, isn't it...