Simple Racing Rules

@Chris249 and his Solo fleet example.

Let's have a go with the 8-rule list;

Boat B can dive for the gap, but if like A, he's on Starboard, he'd be windward boat so would have to keep clear of A. Also, if B hits A, B breaks rule 1

I can't quite visualise Boats C - F, but they are sorted out by Port/starboard and windward boat keeps clear rules

Boats G to Z; If G is inside boat, he simply rounds the mark making sure he avoids a collision (Rules 6 and 1). If the middle boat is to windward of G, then the middle boat has to keep clear (rule 3). Similar for boat Z.

Boats A2 to G2 can't charge in. They're overtaking boats and have to keep clear of the boats in front of them (Rule 4)

If Z ends up inside A2, then Z has right of way as inside boat (Rule 6). If Y ends up as inside boat, then Y has right of way. (Rule 6)

Hmmm, is this working?

Originally posted by Solo4652 What if both boats involved in a collision were DSQ'd? That might concentrate people's minds on sailing fast and not getting involved in collisions. Alternatively, we could allow ourselves the luxury of the 8 rules posted above. Here they are, for reference; •1. Avoid collisions. •2. Port keeps clear of starboard. •3. Windward keeps clear of leeward •4. Overtaking boat keeps clear •5. Give boats enough time and room to avoid hitting things. •6. The inside boat(s) at a mark is entitled to room to round the mark. •7. If you have violated a rule, do a tack and a gybe as soon as you safely can. .8   Behave towards others in the same way you'd want them to behave towards you. Applying these to your scenarios, we get; You luff me hard, we collide. I'm DSQ'd under rule 3 and you're DSQ'd under rule 1 You luff me hard into some other boats. You're DSQ'd under rule 5 You hunt me down on Starboard. We collide. You're DSQ'd under rule 5 and rule 1 I'm becalmed and you reverse your windsurfer into me. You're disqualified under rule 5 and rule 1 Is there something in this, do you think?

Edited by Chris 249 - 14 Aug 15 at 11:53am

The walkers and drivers in Holland weren't playing a sport, trying to win, so taking away the markings may well have worked. As soon as racing starts to involve tactics, you have to limit them. As for rule 8, how does that work if the aims of the boats out there are different?

Originally posted by Solo4652 What if both boats involved in a collision were DSQ'd? That might concentrate people's minds on sailing fast and not getting involved in collisions. Alternatively, we could allow ourselves the luxury of the 8 rules posted above. Here they are, for reference; •1. Avoid collisions. •2. Port keeps clear of starboard. •3. Windward keeps clear of leeward •4. Overtaking boat keeps clear •5. Give boats enough time and room to avoid hitting things. •6. The inside boat(s) at a mark is entitled to room to round the mark. •7. If you have violated a rule, do a tack and a gybe as soon as you safely can. .8   Behave towards others in the same way you'd want them to behave towards you. Applying these to your scenarios, we get; You luff me hard, we collide. I'm DSQ'd under rule 3 and you're DSQ'd under rule 1 You luff me hard into some other boats. You're DSQ'd under rule 5 You hunt me down on Starboard. We collide. You're DSQ'd under rule 5 and rule 1 I'm becalmed and you reverse your windsurfer into me. You're disqualified under rule 5 and rule 1 Is there something in this, do you think?

Edited by PeterG - 14 Aug 15 at 10:22am

Originally posted by PeterG   Just to pick one issue - you luff me excessively hard and hit me or I hit other boats - it isn't just the luffer who gets DSQ'd it's the luffed boat too under your rules (rule 1). That sort of issue opens up room for someone ahead in a series to take out their nearest opponent by easily getting both of them DSQ'd. Doesn't exactly encourage a clean and simple approach to racing.