2017 Rules

Definitions now include one for "support person". 

Rules: 

Penalty for breaking rule 2 can now be DSQ or DNE. 

3 (Acceptance of rules) completely re-written. Includes support people 

New rules 6 and 7 - betting/anti corruption & disciplinary code. 

Part 2 preamble: boats can now be DSQ for breaking 14 and causing injury or serious damage (as well as 24.1) when not racing. 

New 18.2.d  Rules 18.2(b ) and (c ) cease to apply when the boat entitled to mark-room has been given that mark-room, or if she passes head to wind or leaves the zone. (Old 18.2.d and 18.2.e renumbered e and f respectively). 

18.3 Only applies at port hand marks. 

New 19.1.b Rule 19 applies between two boats at an obstruction except (b ) when rule 18 applies between the boats and the obstruction is another boat overlapped with each of them.

20. Re-written. Now states when boats may hail, rather than when they shall not. 

21 now part of section D, no longer refers to section C. 

22.3 applies to boats moving sideways to windward by backing a sail. 

24.2 rewritten. Now "if reasonably possible". 

30.3 New "U flag" rule. Aka a black flag that doesn't carry over if the start is general recalled. Black flag is now 30.4. 

32.1. Can now shorten to allow time for subsequent races, and can only abandon for starting errors. 

32.2 Can now shorted at a line that boats have to cross. 

40 - Y ashore = PFDs when afloat at all times. 

44.2 Scoring penalty now 20% of DNF score (not entries, as before).

49.1 now refers to when lifelines are required by class or any other rule.(not just SIs)

55 Trash. Penalty now discretionary. 

60.4 New rule. Technical committees may protest. 

Big changes: 17 deleted completely, 18 now the test rules. 

Appendix D

17 has not been deleted, contrary to much rumour.