Rule 17 situation

   Just curious of other peoples thoughts on a situation that I was in today. Basically slightly faster boat (assymmetric) trying to overtake me (two sail non-assymmetric) on a broad reach. I was defending windward side, so after a couple of attempts they bore off a bit to leeward to pass within two boat lengths. As soon as they had overlap they then headed up calling proper course for an assymmetric, which was indeed higher than we were going. 

The question is really around whether a boat can change it's proper course ie. if it was sailing a proper course deep before the overlap, can they then change it the moment overlap is established. I think they probably were in the right, but interested in other views.

This means I need to alter my reaching defense strategy which is to encourage them to get windward overlap and then call them up until their spinnaker collapses (obviously giving them time to manoevre). This scenario seems far more likely to end in trouble, but if that is the only way to defend then that is what I need to do. Any other thoughts on proper way to defend a slightly faster spinnaker flying asymmetric boat from a symmetric boat on a reach?

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rb_stretch Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 23 Aug 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote rb_stretch Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Rule 17 situation Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 7:05pm
	Just curious of other peoples thoughts on a situation that I was in today. Basically slightly faster boat (assymmetric) trying to overtake me (two sail non-assymmetric) on a broad reach. I was defending windward side, so after a couple of attempts they bore off a bit to leeward to pass within two boat lengths. As soon as they had overlap they then headed up calling proper course for an assymmetric, which was indeed higher than we were going. The question is really around whether a boat can change it's proper course ie. if it was sailing a proper course deep before the overlap, can they then change it the moment overlap is established. I think they probably were in the right, but interested in other views. This means I need to alter my reaching defense strategy which is to encourage them to get windward overlap and then call them up until their spinnaker collapses (obviously giving them time to manoevre). This scenario seems far more likely to end in trouble, but if that is the only way to defend then that is what I need to do. Any other thoughts on proper way to defend a slightly faster spinnaker flying asymmetric boat from a symmetric boat on a reach?