Luffing rights

I would think it was more common as a tactic on the old triangle-sausage-beat Oly course - luffing to defend your wind on the long reaches. 

OK. I am not sure if my logic is correct but I thought the reasoning behind the rule to give entitlement to luffing rights was probably as result of other rules.

Thus a boat establishing an overlap from clear astern and within two boat lengths does not gain luffing rights to protect their wind since their favoured course would be to go to windward rather than leeward. Am I correct in proper course does not apply?

A boat that does establish luffing rights can protect their wind right up to forcing the other boat to head to wind at which point if windward boat pass head to wind would be required to keep clear until on a close hauled course.

Originally posted by Rupert And yes, the idea now is whether you are not constrained from sailing above your proper course, but it is still luffing, were all know that!

Luffing used to be defined simply as changing course towards the wind.

You have no notion what weird meanings people put on it.

Even in the old days many people used it to mean a tactical engagement between a windward and a leeward boat, usually resulting in contact.

I've seen other turkeys insist that it only happened when rule 17 applied, or you were only Luffing if you sailed above close hauled ....the list is endless

Clear ahead and then you could luff until your mast was level with their helm, roughly,and they would say "mast abeam". You'll still hear it sometimes, even now...

Personally, I think I preferred having limits on the luffing.

And yes, the idea now is whether you are not constrained from sailing above your proper course, but it is still luffing, were all know that!

To luff as a leeward, overtaking boat, you had get to clear ahead, and then when WW established a new overlap, you could luff her.