Tacking in zone

passing the mark on the required side · Originally posted by Brass

Originally posted by Brass

Can B pass the mark without hitting Y?
How is that not 'preventing' B from passing the mark?

18.3 states:

(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to
avoid contact or prevent the other boat from passing the mark
on the required side,

In your contrived example B is well above the layline and could come up to a close hauled course and still leave the mark on the required side. Once they are past the mark it becomes a windward leeward situation.

There is no mention of B being entitled to sail their proper course in 18.3 just that they be allowed to leave the mark on the required side. Which, in this case, had they come up to a close hauled course, they could have.

This is why being on the layline is key as it closes off these situations.

Edited by jeffers - 13 Apr 16 at 9:04am