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?

Originally posted by JimC Seems reasonable rule wise. Andy & Jo was it? An interesting one because the two boats are near enough level rating, but you're quicker upwind and they're quicker downwind, so you are probably racing for a place if you can keep them behind as its normally a downwind finish.

Indeed, in actual fact I think what happened was they got a gust which allowed them to accelerate and bear away (not the Albacore's strongest point), but on hitting our wind shadow they probably needed to sail higher again, hence the situation. It was a very broach reach so we were heading for the mark throughout the manoeuvre.

And you are right that downwind if we can hold someone behind, we do and have held places, hence the interest in defending well within the rules.


Edited by rb_stretch - 21 Dec 14 at 7:29pm

Originally posted by Rupert If they hit the wind shadow, then they are slowed because you are there, and have no right to sail higher, as far as I'm concerned.

Ditto Rupert.
There is a previous thread, first posted 30/11/13 titled 'PROPER COURSE'.
The crucial issue identified, was the wind shadow effect, which does not translate to an entitlement for the leeward boat to luff up.

Originally posted by Andymac Originally posted by Rupert If they hit the wind shadow, then they are slowed because you are there, and have no right to sail higher, as far as I'm concerned. Ditto Rupert. There is a previous thread, first posted 30/11/13 titled 'PROPER COURSE'. The crucial issue identified, was the wind shadow effect, which does not translate to an entitlement for the leeward boat to luff up.

Originally posted by sargesail Here though I think that if the boat coming from clear astern has dived to leeward because of the luffing of the windward boat, and then returns to a course approximating to that which he was sailing before then this is proper course territory.

What I think they were doing was to soak down in the gust and then come above the direct course to really heat up the boat to punch through the wind shadow - in effect they would not have to do it if another boat wasn't there.