Race rules advice pls

Originally posted by JimC The rules don't require you to guess what another boat might do differently. They do require you to be aware of what its currently doing. So you do need to allow for a right of way boat continuing on the same course and speed. You don't need to anticipate it suddenly changing direction for no obvious reason.

Thanks for your explanation. Thinking of rule 11 and pre start ( windward boat keeps clear) . What happens if the leeward boat sailing a little higher gains an overlap from behind but the windward boat takes no action to keep clear until the boats are close together and then “time and opportunity” is the defence by the windward boat? Is the leeward boat in wrong?

Originally posted by Dakota Originally posted by Noah Originally posted by Do Different Basic principles of the rules are sufficient for safe and predictable racing, coupled of course with a degree of anticipation and foresight. I agree. The rules do not require anticipation, but I find it is generally a faster way around the course if I do anticipate what others might do, especially on a small pond. Totally agree too with both posts.  Isn’t that just what 99% of us are doing every time we race .

Really? When you are in a race, there’s no requirement to anticipate colliding with another boat?   More specifically, there is no requirement for a give way boat to anticipate having to keep clear of a right of way boat? Is that right?

Edited by boatshed - 17 May 23 at 10:04am

Originally posted by Dakota Originally posted by Noah Originally posted by Do Different Basic principles of the rules are sufficient for safe and predictable racing, coupled of course with a degree of anticipation and foresight. I agree. The rules do not require anticipation, but I find it is generally a faster way around the course if I do anticipate what others might do, especially on a small pond. Totally agree too with both posts.  Isn’t that just what 99% of us are doing every time we race .

Yes, very true.

Bearing in mind the vaguaries  of the ******** system anyway, a regular club race really doesn't warrant an OCD approach to rules. A few basics and a fair minded approach.

Agree with Noah. If S took avoiding action Port is in the wrong. If S was caught by surprise by wind shadow, didn't swerve deliberately and there was never any risk of a collision P is in the clear.
Case 50 in the Case book is relevant.

"When a protest committee finds that in a port-starboard incident S did not
change course and that there was not a genuine and reasonable apprehension
of collision on the part of S, it should dismiss her protest. When the committee finds that S did change course and that there was reasonable doubt that P could have crossed ahead of S if S had not changed course, then P should be disqualified."

Two boats beating, about five lengths apart, wind force four gusting to over five, so both going fast. Third boat on a fast reach passes between the two boats (90 degrees), causing chasing boat to swerve violently and capsize. No warnings shouted. (beating boats both on starboard, crossing boat on port).