If you ever see another boat when you are out sailing- racing or not- ask yourself who has rights whether they are 2 boat lengths away or 20. You will learn the rules. I always have to think about that when running downwind with the spin because which tack you are on wins out first, windward leeward only when two boats are on the same tack.
My concern is always: "crap, should I go above and hope I don't hit by a puff or go low and slow just to get out of the way." Same thing with overtaking other boats downwind.


I agree with the concern that started this thread- a spin boat who doesn't see you and you don't see them has potential for death at the speeds we are talking about. I think we all get lucky- especially when it is blowing because no matter how hard you try you still might miss something- and then the other boat misses you and BOOM... more than money at issue. Although I agree with the thought behind the thread, changing stuff will probably just confuse things more