I have a request to everyone who reads this post.

Please make sure you have the latest version of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and find some quiet time to read Part 2 - When Boats Meet.

I sailed the Deep South Regatta this weekend in Lake Charles. There was an excellent turnout of around 50 boats. We had F-18's, I-20's, A-Cats, H-16, H-18, H-20, and Portsmouth. The wind gods cooperated with 8-14 knots on flat water on both days. The race committee did a fine job running five multi-lap races over a windward-leeward course.

The reason for my post is there were several scary moments on the water especially around marks and the starting line. In the first race of the series we had a sailor blatantly barge the weather end of the line. He forced Steve Piche into me and I had to grab Steve's bow to fend off a collision and keep from being forced into the boat below me. Luckily, the start was recalled, no collision, and no harm done (and I got together with the barging sailor after racing and politely told him to get his rule book out and learn what happened). There were other instances where boats on downwind legs were not keeping clear of boats on upwind legs (windward/leeward) and several mark roundings where boats sailed into positions where they had no rounding rights. I saw several "deer in the headlight" incidents where an offending boat just froze and the right of way boat had to sail around them. Amazingly enough, no damage but some scary moments nonetheless.

Lesson to be learned is everyone (beginner to expert) should tune up on the rules at least a couple of times a year and learn to anticipate these situations well in advance. Find the experienced sailors to answer your questions and/or use this forum as a resource.

A commitment to learning the RRS will make you a better sailboat racer and your sailing/racing experience more enjoyable.

Thanks!

Bob Hodges
A-Class USA 230