I don't think that a slower boat has any rights to luff a clearly faster boat that is overtaking it; not according to the sailing rules. The slower (leeward) boat has the right to set his desired course prior to the overtaking but not to alter it constantly or even alter it after the overtaking has commenced in earnest.

The boat that is being overtaken must maintain it course till he has been fully overtaken. Of course there is some slow boat babbling about establishing an overlap first. As if that is at all realistic when a speed difference of 10 knots exist between a H16 and I-20 on the downwind leg. But the idea is the same; the spirit of the rule is still the same.

The intent or spirit of the rules are that a boat which is moving in to overtake a slower boat gets rights as soon as he is no longer able to avoid mayhem if the other boat would alter it's course. When being overtaken by a spinnaker boat to luff then that means you can't luff him up at the last moment. You can when he is still some distance away and he can still bear down and go underneath but not later. This has nothing to do with windward/leeward as that only applies for situations were there isn't a clear case of one boat overtaking the other OR when setting up courses prior to the overtaking manouvre commencing. When you are side by side (or close when on cats) then you can't luff the overtaking boat, although many people think so. You are required to maintain your old course till the overlap (overtaking) has ended. If you don't then your are failing the rule to stay clear of other boats when engaging in a manouvre or course alteration.

There are more sailing rules then starboard/port and windward/leeward. And there are seperate rules for situations were one boat overtakes another. I wish more people would learn these additional rules.

Then there is also that great sailing rule that states that no boat or crew may force his rights when that leads to a unavoidable dangerous situation or even a collision. When a collision occurs then the luffing boat will be found in error as well. And it will be open to disqualification or even worse. It may even turn out that the luffing boat is guilty and has to pay the damages.

And otherwises we have the sportmanship rule which will make mince meat out of any Hobie 16 luffing a I-20's that is under spinnaker. You have no rights to block a clearly faster vessel from overtaking you once it has been decided on which side you will be overtaken.


In direct answer to the question :




The guy who thinks he can defend his clear air by insisting on his "right" to being ignorant about the other sailing rules which give rights to the other boat in situations like this.

Personally, I think any crew actively causing a dangerous situation because of some perceived rights are ....

Wouter