Pulling the Trigger Y&Y article

Originally posted by bert There doe`s seem to be a hard to prove easy to do attitude towards this when the wind doesn’t play friendly. I also think that in general you will notice this rule 42 bending ( of the type that I am thinking of ) happening in very light wind meetings rather then anywhere else .

in practice, particularly before starts where a lot of boats are over-lapping each other and there is a great deal of 'trimming' going on anyway, I think you'd find it incredibly difficult to find anyone willing or able to bin a competitor on a rule 42, unless a) they're very close to the boat judging and they have an unobstructed view, b) they are the only boat doing it <unlikely> and/or c) they carry it on once the race has started to an obvious extent. Off a line, particularly a crowded line, there will be a lot of boat trimming going on as some head high for clear lanes, others go low, still others try to work for max boatspeed to 'work their lane'

Originally posted by getafix Originally posted by bert There doe`s seem to be a hard to prove easy to do attitude towards this when the wind doesn’t play friendly. I also think that in general you will notice this rule 42 bending ( of the type that I am thinking of ) happening in very light wind meetings rather then anywhere else .   in practice, particularly before starts where a lot of boats are over-lapping each other and there is a great deal of 'trimming' going on anyway, I think you'd find it incredibly difficult to find anyone willing or able to bin a competitor on a rule 42, unless a) they're very close to the boat judging and they have an unobstructed view, b) they are the only boat doing it <unlikely> and/or c) they carry it on once the race has started to an obvious extent. Off a line, particularly a crowded line, there will be a lot of boat trimming going on as some head high for clear lanes, others go low, still others try to work for max boatspeed to 'work their lane'

Jon, you need to quote the start of rule 42.2 - Without limiting the application of rule 42.1, these actions are prohibited:

The ISAF interpretation of rule 42.1 states: Basic 4 Except when prohibited under rule 42.3, any single action of the body that propels the boat (in any direction) with the effect one stroke of a paddle is prohibited.

Pulling the trigger certainly has the effect of a paddle stroke. If however the boat is rolled in an attempt to change course - usually to luff to a close hauled course - this may meet the requirements of 42.3 (a).

In addition, I would interpret (not an official interpretation) the allowable "pump" as the boat reaches the new course in much the same way as when coming out of a roll tack, in that the boat should not be accelerated faster than the normal speed to windward. If the boat acclerates to get up to speed and no further (i;e; does not immediatel slow down as the effects of the pump wear off) I would judge that the heel to luff and the subsequent righting of the boat were commeasurate with the chnage of course.

Sounds complicated, but in fact it is relatively easy to judge - especially, in flat water, you can see the boat's bow wave.

Gordon

Originally posted by Jon Emmett Surely you consider getting the boat upto speed is an act of seamanship?I have been through this with many IJs...

Talking from a position of complete ignorance I'm not entirely sure why accelerating the boat with a big roll should be considered more an act of seamanship than stcking your hand or even a paddle over the side to do the same thing.

Well yes: its because 42.1 says "shall not otherwise move their bodies to propel the boat" that I don't understand why accelerating the boat off the line with a big roll is any more legal than using a paddle.

I don't doubt that its widely done, but that doesn't necessarily mean its legal under the letter of the rules. The speed limit in the UK is broekn by just about every driver too...