Downwind Start

   Club Sailing, Downwind start. Line is port broad reach favoured.
Boat A and B elect to approach the outer limit mark on Starboard at 80 degrees, they plan to gybe onto port at the line.

A and B are overlapped, A being the inside and leeward boat. Both on starboard.

A and B reach the outer limit 5 secs after the strat gun and gybe simultaneously onto port.

B then immediately luffs A and calls out, NO BARGING, NO WATER ON A START MARK. A is squeezed at the outer limit and a collision occurs.

A performs penalty turns but protests.

Dear fellow sailors, please advise.

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Patrick McCosh Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Patrick McCosh Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Downwind Start Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 7:34am
	Club Sailing, Downwind start. Line is port broad reach favoured. Boat A and B elect to approach the outer limit mark on Starboard at 80 degrees, they plan to gybe onto port at the line. A and B are overlapped, A being the inside and leeward boat. Both on starboard. A and B reach the outer limit 5 secs after the strat gun and gybe simultaneously onto port. B then immediately luffs A and calls out, NO BARGING, NO WATER ON A START MARK. A is squeezed at the outer limit and a collision occurs. A performs penalty turns but protests. Dear fellow sailors, please advise.
	Patrick

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 8:04am
	All in the detail I think. Section C doesn't apply at a start mark, but B acquired right of way and has various restrictions on her actions under section B.

gordon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Sep 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1037	Post Options Post Reply Quote gordon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 10:18am
	When both boats gybe B becomes overlapped to leeward of A . B acquires right of way (rule 11). As both boats gybed simultaneously B acquired right of way at least in part because of the actions of A. If A had not gybed then she would be on starboard and B, on port, required to keep clear. Rule 15 does not apply and B is not initially required to give A room to keep clear. However (that word again) having gybed B then luffs. As B has changed course she is required to give A room to keep clear (rule 16.1). If A responds to B's change of course promptly and in a seamanlike way but is unable to avoid contact, then B has broken rule 16.1 and should take a penalty. A is not obliged to performan unseamanlike manoeuvre. Hitting a mark is considered to be unseamanlike. If A does not respond promptly then she has broken rule 11.
	Gordon

Patrick McCosh Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Patrick McCosh Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 3:37pm
	Dear Jim C and Gordon - many thanks for your replies, they have been useful.
	Patrick