I can't quote rules, but I know absolutely that you are right, Jake. That's why it is so advantageous to come in to the leeward mark on starboard (when it is marks to port). The starboard boats not only have inside overlap, they also are the right-of-way boats. The port-tack boats not only have to give the starboard-tack boats room to round, they have to give them enough room to make a TACTICAL mark rounding (enter wide, exit close).

It would be different, of course, if rounding the mark to starboard. Then the port-tack boats would have the inside overlap, but would not be right-of-way boats, so the starboard boats would only have to give them enough room to get around the mark without hitting it.

By the way, all these rules would take on a different complexion if the mark was a big iron bell buoy instead of a nice soft vinyl ball. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />