Beginner questions: Rules

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Rules

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4695
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 5:28pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Rules

Posted By: JonnyW
Subject: Rules
Date Posted: 28 Sep 08 at 7:42pm

Another one folks

I was over the line at the start on Saturday and was hit by a windward boat who didn't do turns

I was told at the end of the race as I was over the line I had no rights, if I had hit (as a starboard boat) another boat on port it would be my fault

Is this the case

Replies:

Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 28 Sep 08 at 8:18pm

20.1 A boat sailing towards the pre-start side of the starting line or its
extensions after her starting signal to start or to comply with rule 30.1
shall keep clear of a boat not doing so until she is completely on the prestart
side.

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Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard"
Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch"
Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air"
Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile"

Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 28 Sep 08 at 8:21pm

Although that does leave hanging what the situation is if you are OCS but NOT returning to the pre start side, so if you were unaware of your OCS status, it could be argued that the windward boat should still be keeping clear. The windward boat is still obliged to avoid collisions.

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Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard"
Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch"
Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air"
Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile"

Posted By: Hector
Date Posted: 29 Sep 08 at 1:00pm

The rule says 'sailing towards the pre-start side of the starting line'. That means until you start to return you have full rights. Certainly a port tacker would be taking a high risk trying to cross an ocs boat by claiming they have no rights.

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 29 Sep 08 at 6:48pm

or someone knowing that the person approching could be confused into giving way....

As others have said unless you knew you were over and had started to return it is still a simple windward leeward situation, Windward should have kept clear and taken a penalty. It does somewhat depend on what was happening above windward though as they may not have been able to take avoiding action.

Remember it is part of the rules that if you can avoid a collision you should. You must not hit another boat to prove they broke the rules!

When over the line look about quickly to see if you have an escape route back to the line. If not let the sails go a little and slow the boat down, egenrally a gap will then present itself fairly quickly and you can get back and restart.

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Paul
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D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: English Dave
Date Posted: 30 Sep 08 at 4:06pm

Simple WW/LW as the others have said. A couple of months ago I posted re the morality of protesting another sailor when I was unknowingly OCS. That was a standard P/S incident and the Protest Committee found in my favour. I didn't know I was OCS, I carried on racing and had full racing rights.

You don't cede all rights on the water until you start to take corrective action. Likewise (I think although, go on, shoot me down), after an incident requiring a 720 you still have rights until you do those turns (thereafter you are required to keep clear).

I nay case the OOD (and Protest Committee) are the arbiters of who is OCS, not your WW boat.

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English Dave
http://www.ballyholme.com - Ballyholme Yacht Club

(You'd think I'd be better at it by now)

Hurricane 5.9 SX
RS700