They way I interpreted the situation was, the black boat (me) was inside, so close that if I started a tack I would touch his boat before completing the tack (pass head to wind) I did not hail him for room either, so I did not give him time to tack as well. In essence I had NO rights because I did not give him enough time to tack. That is the main reason I eased my sails out to slow down and then tack. BUT, when I tacked, I noticed him tack as well. Maybe he tacked to avoid being penalized or maybe to make the mark.