When out pleasure-sailing, and you have the ability to sail farther away, passing close can be considered rude. That is, it's discourteous to disrupt other people's enjoyment.

When racing, that's just part of the game - even in mixed fleets. I regularly sail two different boats in multi-class racing. One is the fastest, and highest pointing design, the other is the slowest and lowest. Starting strategies are completely different. In the first, I know I can overtake and roll any other boat. In the second, I know that I will get overtaken and rolled. In one, I'm looking for a passing lane, in the other, an escape route. That's just the way racing is.

Regards,
Eric