port /starboard obstruction

Originally posted by G.R.F. I have to say I've never heard a lobster pot called as an obstruction, it would make interesting racing down at Bognor & Felpham, they are everywhere down there and anyway how many boat lengths is required, it's hardly a riverbank or something never ending that could likely occasion damage...

I don't think there is a requirement for an obstruction to be capable of causing damage. A length of rope that can ensnare your rudder is an obstruction if it's long enough, as is a big patch of floating weed.

Originally posted by gbrspratt doesn't anything become an obstruction if your stupid enough to get close to it?

No: because its a definition in the rules: see what I posted on the first page. In many ways the definitions are the most important part of the rules, because most of the rules can't be understood without understanding the definitions they use.