Sails not full

Thanks for the clarification. I have been reading my rule book, and did think I was correct, so will have to have a friendly chat with him next time were at the club. He is an experienced racer but I am sure he was mistaken rather than misleading me, he is a very fair guy. Is it something that used to be in the rules and has been changed?

I only really started racing seriously last season, so still getting the hang of the rules and their interpretations, so your help is much appreciated.

Quickly looking at the 88-92 rules I can't see anything that would have changed the interpretation.

Ok, here's one from me.

Firstly, i'm an inexperienced racer that, generally, just tries to stay out of everyones way  .... however, on Sunday, i found myself making a cracking start, right up at the far end (most were at the committee boat end). About 3 seconds off the start - i'd have hit the line with about 1 to spare) - a fast reaching laser came up on my port side, slightly converging courses, we're both on Starboard and i (think) i understand that he was going to get the overlap AND i was windward boat so, technically i have to keep clear? .... however, the laser did come very fast to the line and very close to me - to the point where i had no room in order to keep clear and had to tack around just as i reached the line (right on the start end marker) in order to give him room.

Now, as i said, my position was more luck than anything & i just wanted to keep clear so, right now, i'm not into protesting anyone...BUT, as i understand it, whilst he had right of way, he also has to give me room to keep clear? There was no room other than to go OCS & around the start pin or go away and turn right round...that's what i did and ended up at the back of the fleet instead of (possibly) winning the start.

I just want to be clear so that my understanding increases.

Would i have been justified in protesting or was it just one of those things?

As you rightly point out, if a boat establishes an overlap to leeward then they acquire a right of way. You, as windward boat have to keep clear (rule 11), and they have to give you room to keep clear (rule 15). In addition, if the overlap was established from clear astern then leeward boat may not, after the starting signal, sail above her proper course, which on a beat is close-hauled.

1. It should be noted that you do not have to start keeping clear until the overlap is established, you do not have to anticipate.

2. If keeping clear means you have to tack, or cross the start line, that is your bad luck.

Gordon

Sorry scoob, i didn't really explain it too well to be honest, suffice to say that yeah, whilst the issue of room etc came to my mind, the answers given by Gordon & Jim have cleared that up for me. Just wanted to get it clear in my mind really, no intention of a protest - wouldn't have stood anyway - and i'm not fussed about having to go around, just wanted to check and get it sorted in my brain. Yeah, i had to move away but as pointed out, that's all the name of the game i guess   Lesson for next time? - make sure i stay at the back hahaha! - and read a bit more of my rule book.

Cheers guys.