Jake,

EXACT-TA-MUNDO!!!!!

I totally agree!!!!

Though, in my research to these rules changes I had someone say "... the starboard boat has "Starboard Tack" rights, also "Inside Overlap" rights and can take as much room as they like (or wish). Then I realized what the new line added to Rule 18.2c actually meant and does. This new addition means that there is a limit/maximum to the "room" that the starboard tacker can claim/use ... and it is based on a actual physical measurement that sets the size of the "zone". If the starboard tack boat does screw up the rounding and goes wide, the rules now allow the port tack boat to gain rights for an "inside overlap". Before once the Starboard Tack boat established their inside overlap rights, the "Port Tack" couldn't gain rights to an inside overlap no matter how wide "Starboard" went ... and if the Port Tack tried, if the "Starboard Tack" could just tap the "Port Tack" boat the "Starboard Tack" could protest the "Port Tack" boat for failure to leave room for Starboard" an "Inside Overlap" ... or sail her "Proper Course" ... or make a "tactical rounding" ... or make a seamanshiply rounding.

All the applicable rules were defined but unmeasurable definitions ... now there will be a measurement to base the rule on.

So if a "starboard tack" boat wants to attempt this legal but risky tactic ... they better bring their "A Game" because if they screw it up they will end up on the outside w/ everyone else have "Inside Overlap" rights ... eating alot of dirty air .....

Upon studing these new rules I (now)think this is actually an improvement

Race SMART

Sail Flat, Sail Fast, Sail SAFE
Harry Murphey