Rule 14 Avoiding Contact
A Boat Shall avoid another Boat if reasonably possible. However a Right of Way boat or one entitled to room or Mark room
(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or Mark room, and
(b)shall not be penalized under this rule unless there is contact that causes damage or injury.

This is a good rule if racing bumper boats, (Lasers, Hobies that sort of thing) its not a good rule for light weight composite boats that are not damage tolerant. A game of chicken can result where the Right Of Way boat avoids contact at the last second, the boat in the wrong claims they acted to avoid contact and the ROW changed course unnecessarily and therefore no penalty, if contact had occurred the damage is the evidence.

In my opinion there are several options to fix this.
1, We all carry GPS and protest sorting out the result by playing back the incident after the race. I have used this for 6 years now and it works very well even if the other boat doesn't have GPS it still proves what my boat did. The disadvantage is the cost.
or
2, Change the rules so that both boats involved in a collision have to retire regardless of who is at fault. No penalty turns to cancel the incident. The not at fault boat awarded average points.
or
3, We should at least keep the two turn penalty for any part 2 "When boats Meet" infringement for our big events. Mozzys gybe and tack so fast now, a one turn penalty just isn't enough.

These are my opinions developed from sailing in many classes over 30 years, certainly I dont have a specific problem with any Mosquito sailors who, as a group, sail races fairly making our regattas very enjoyable.

Darryn,
Bullet
1782