For the benefit of newcomers, old comers and anyone else, here are some links and references to primary sources, rules commentary books and rules apps and e-books.

This is an updated version of the original post.  Links current as at 30 April 2016, but regrettably some of them may not be durable.

Primary Sources

Racing Rules of Sailing, Study Version with links to the background submissions for all changes made in 2013

http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RRS20132016StudyVersion-[13380].pdf

Rule Changes and Corrections as of January 2015

http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/ChangesandCorrectionstothe20132016RacingRulesofSailing-[19822].pdf

The [World Sailing] Case Book (Updated 2015)

http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/20132016ISAFCaseBookUpdatedJan2015-[18282].pdf

World Sailing Q&As

http://www.sailing.org/raceofficials/qandaservice/doc_list.php

RYA Appeals Book

http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Racing/RacingInformation/RacingRules/Case%20Book%20-%20v16%20-%20to%202015-1%20-%20for%20web.pdf

US Sailing Appeals

http://www.ussailing.org/race-officials/rules-and-appeals/

Regrettably, US Sailing no longer publishes a free copy of their Appeals.

These electronic versions are particularly useful because they enable you to electronically search for relevant words or phrases.  You might find it useful to download them so you don’t have to go on-line to see them.

The RRS and the ISAF Casebook are binding.

The RYA Appeals, although they will nearly always be followed in the UK, are, strictly speaking, not binding.

The Q&A are advisory only, but can be very helpful.

The RRS contains an index, which is often a good place to start, until you become more familiar with the rules.

The Definitions in the RRS are critically important:  you need to read and understand them, and, if you have a memory like mine, constantly refer to them as you apply the rules.

The Casebook Section 1 contains Abstracts of Cases by Rule Number.

The RYA Appeals Book Section 2 is similar but it contains both RYA Appeals AND ISAF Cases.

The RYA Appeals Book, at pages 3 to 6 contains a very useful table, listing all the rules, showing alongside them the relevant ISAF Cases and RYA Appeals.

The RYA Appeals Book is, therefore the easiest one to work from initially, but, as any law student will tell you, don’t rely on the head-notes, and once you have located a relevant Appeal or Case, look at the full version in the Appeal book or the Casebook, and, if in doubt, look critically at other relevant appeals and cases.

Rules Commentary Books

(Google for on-line purchase and further information)

You should buy and read at least one.

Paul Elvstrom Explains Racing Rules of Sailing, 2013-2016 Edition

Includes headnotes from all ISAF Cases and cross-references from the rules to the relevant cases, and a short section on changes to the rules.

Comes with plastic toy boats.

Bryan Willis The Rules in Practice 2013-2016

In my opinion, the best rules book for beginners.

Eric Twiname (channelled by Bryan Willis) The Rules Book

Great British classic, updated for 2013 rules.

Dave Perry Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2016

The US Sailing standard work.  Fuller discussions of all the rules.

Comes with cute cartoons (but no toys).

Trevor Lewis The Racing Rules Explained (RYA eBook)

RYA detailed analysis and discussion of all rules.

http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/product.aspx?pid=E-G80(RYADefaultCatalog)&mode=c&cat=Sail+Racing(RYA+Main)&type=&course=

Apps and E-books

 ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2013-2016

Were published in 2013.  No longer available.  Maybe for the 2017 rules.

US Sailing The Racing Rules of Sailing Application for 2013-2016

Android

http://store.ussailing.org/browse.cfm/the-racing-rules-of-sailing-for-2013-2016-android-app/4,595.html

iPhone

http://store.ussailing.org/browse.cfm/the-racing-rules-of-sailing-for-2013-2016-iphone-ipad-app/4,737.html

About USD 5 plus an add-on extracts from Dave Perry’s book for an extra $4.

More accessible structure than the ISAF version.

RYA Racing Rules and Cases 2013-2016 (eBook)

http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/product.aspx?pid=E-RRC(RYADefaultCatalog)&mode=t&type=EBK(RYADefaultCatalog)

This is an excellent 'Judges Work Bench' with rules hyperlinked to Cases, Appeals and current Q&A

Well worth GBP 9.99.

Diagramming Tools

Boat Scenario

http://boats.sourceforge.net/pages/Download

Free 1mB program for Windows, Linux etc

Tactical Sailing Solutions (TSS)

http://tss.peronneau.net/

Original RRS diagramming software.  Not free.  Updated in 2013.

Protestdraw

http://pathealy.com/cpctools/protestdraw/default.html

A very simple free MS Word document with a comprehensive library of boat and course images.