Proper course off the start line

In a fleet start is there anything to stop a boat luffing the boat above just after the start.
Thanks in advance as always.

If the overlap is established at the start line then does 17 apply?
The scenario is a product of healthy bar debate and thus hypothetical but essentially can L luff above close hauled if overlapped to windward by W when the overlap was established before the start gun?

What we are trying to put into sensible English is: if the leeward boat established the overlap coming from astern within 2 boat lengths too leeward, i.e. In a situation that if it happened after the start gun she would not have "luffing rights" then she may not go above her proper course after the start gun. Before the gun she may as she has no defined proper course.
The problem is remembering how you all got there.
We often play this one in match and team racing. Encouraging the leeward boat with no right to go above close hauled to squeeze up once they are bow out.

Andy

Edited by andymck - 29 May 16 at 12:26pm

If L becomes overlapped with W from clear astern outside 2 boatlengths, then rule 17 does not apply at all.

You will note that I put them "luffing rights" in quotes. It is something that most sailors understand as the right of a boat to sail above its proper course. Most also understand the limitations as set out in 17 and refer to them as such. You will see we tried hard to put it into rules language. This is what we see at the bar, a confused look until we use terms people understand. It's the same when you go and see the doc.