Originally Posted by h20racer
The word is out that the Hobie class is breaking the 'tacking too close' rules (no kidding). How many times have we either done it or had it done to us at A Mark on the first rounding.

Since I was at the windward mark alot, you could see the difference after the results of the protest were posted. Mark roundings were much more 'legal' (he says as a jury member).

I also wanted photographic evidence, so I mounted a camera on the mark to take pictures every 5 seconds.

http://walker-photo.smugmug.com/gallery/8963691_xAVNu/1/#600665536_J9fHL-A-LB
http://walker-photo.smugmug.com/gallery/8963691_xAVNu/1/#601307411_AaLF3-A-LB

(did something break in the forum code --- those images used to display on their own -- yes, I was adding an image to a linked picture).


So what’s too close? The way I understand it you need to be on or past a close hauled course before the other boat needs to maneuver. You don’t need the jib filled or even on the correct side and you don’t need to be moving at all to have the tack completed. At that point the other boat is the overtaking boat and needs to avoid you as you get up to speed. If you happen to be inside the zone there needs to be room below you so that a boat can get through to the mark and you can’t cause the boat to go above close hauled if they decide to go over you.
Do I have it wrong?

http://www.hobiebob.blogspot.com