1. GOING BY THE RULES
Definitions in Action
Definitions in Action
Windward, Leeward, and Tack, Port and Starboard
Clear Astern, Clear Ahead, Overlap
Keep Clear
Main Menu Section Start 1

2. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 2

3. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 3

4. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
And so which tack is she on?
W
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 4

5. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
And so which tack is she on?
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 5

6. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 6

7. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
And so which tack is she on?
Head to wind W L
but still on
same tack W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 7

8. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
And so which tack is she on?
W L
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 8

9. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat?
W L
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 9

10. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
And so which tack is she on?
L
W L
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 10

11. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L
W L
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 11

12. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
L
W L
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 12

13. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L
W L L W
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 13

14. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 14

15. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 15

16. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L By the
W
lee, but
Port
W still on
Port the
L L same
W tack
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 16

17. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 17

18. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 18

19. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 19

20. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W Starboard
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 20

21. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W Starboard
L
W - windward
L - leeward
Main Menu Section Start 21

22. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W Starboard
W L
W - windward
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 22

23. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W Starboard
W L
W - windward
Starboard
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 23

24. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
W Starboard
W L
W - windward
Starboard
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 24

25. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
Head to wind
but still on L W Starboard
same tack W
W L
W - windward
Starboard
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 25

26. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
W L L W
Port
W
Port Port
L L
W
L W Starboard
W
Starboard W L
W - windward
Starboard
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 26

27. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
Head to wind W L L W
but still on
Port
same tack W
Port Port
L L
W
L W Starboard
W
Starboard W L
W - windward
Starboard
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 27

28. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
Head to wind W L L By the
W
but still on lee, but
Port
same tack W still on
Port Port the
L L same
W tack
L W Starboard
W
Starboard W L
W - windward
Starboard
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 28

29. We’re racing!
Definitions, Leeward and Windward, and Tack, Starboard or Port
Which are the windward and leeward
sides of the boat? W
Port
And so which tack is she on?
L Port
Head to wind W L L By the
W
but still on lee, but
Port
same tack W still on
Port Port the
L L same
W tack
Head to wind
but still on L W Starboard
same tack W
Starboard W L
W - windward
Starboard
L - leeward L
Main Menu Section Start 29

30. GOING BY THE RULES
Definitions in Action
Definitions in Action
Windward, Leeward, and Tack, Port and Starboard
Clear Astern, Clear Ahead, Overlap
Keep Clear
Main Menu Section Start 30

31. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats clear astern of the other?
Main Menu Section Start 31

32. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats still clear astern of the other?
Clear
astern
Clear
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 32

33. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats still clear astern of the other?
Clear
astern
Clear
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 33

34. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats still clear astern of the other?
No, some of Blue is ahead of Yellow’s ‘transom line’.
So they are overlapped.
Clear
astern
Clear
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 34

35. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats still clear astern of the other?
No, some of Blue is ahead of Yellow’s ‘transom line’.
So they are overlapped.
Clear
astern
Technically, a line
Overlapped abeam from the
aftermost point of
hull AND equipment,
which would include
Clear
a transom-mounted
ahead
rudder.
Main Menu Section Start 35

36. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats clear astern of the other?
Clear
astern
Overlapped
Clear
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 36

37. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats clear astern of the other?
No, some of Yellow is ahead of Blue’s ‘transom line’.
So they are still overlapped.
Clear
astern
Overlapped Overlapped
Clear
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 37

38. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats clear astern of the other?
Clear Clear
astern ahead
Overlapped Overlapped
Clear Clear
ahead astern
Main Menu Section Start 38

39. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is one of these same-tack boats clear astern of the other?
Yes, all of Yellow is now clear astern of Blue’s ‘transom line’.
The overlap has ended.
Clear Clear
astern ahead
Overlapped Overlapped
Clear Clear
ahead astern
Main Menu Section Start 39

40. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Clear
astern
Clear
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 40

41. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Clear
Overlapped
astern
Clear
Overlapped
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 41

42. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Clear
Overlapped Overlapped
astern
Clear
Overlapped Overlapped
ahead
Main Menu Section Start 42

43. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Clear Clear
Overlapped Overlapped
astern astern
Clear Clear
Overlapped Overlapped
ahead ahead
Main Menu Section Start 43

44. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in
normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of
the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other
boat is clear ahead.
Equipment that is NOT in its normal position cannot create an
overlap. For example:
• a spinnaker allowed to fly forwards by freeing its halyard
• a retractable ‘sprit’ that is extended when there is no immediate
intention of setting a gennaker
If a boat astern with such equipment in an abnormal position is
catching the boat ahead, then:
• No overlap until the first piece of hull, or equipment in normal
position (such as the spinnaker pole) crosses the transom line
• and so ( in the case of the spinnaker) the overlap will happen later
than if the equipment had been in its normal position
Main Menu Section Start 44

45. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in
normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of
the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other
boat is clear ahead.
Equipment that is NOT in its normal position cannot create an
overlap. For example:
• a spinnaker allowed to fly forwards by freeing its halyard
• a retractable ‘sprit’ that is extended when there is no immediate
intention of setting a gennaker
Similarly:
• a ‘spinnaker-only’ overlap will end if the spinnaker halyard is eased
to make the sail fly forwards
• a ‘sprit-only’ overlap will end if the gennaker is removed but the
sprit is left extended if that is not its normal position at that time
Main Menu Section Start 45

46. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is any part of Yellow behind Blue’s ‘transom line’?
Is any part of Blue behind Yellow’s ‘transom line?’
Main Menu Section Start 46

47. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is any part of Yellow behind Blue’s ‘transom line’?
Is any part of Blue behind Yellow’s ‘transom line’?
No – so neither is clear astern, so they are overlapped
Main Menu Section Start 47

48. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is any part of Yellow behind Blue’s ‘transom line’?
Is any part of Blue behind Yellow’s transom line?
Main Menu Section Start 48

49. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is any part of Yellow behind Blue’s ‘transom line’?
Is any part of Blue behind Yellow’s transom line?
No – so neither is clear astern, so they are overlapped
Main Menu Section Start 49

50. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is any part of Yellow behind Blue’s ‘transom line’?
Is any part of Blue behind Yellow’s transom line?
Main Menu Section Start 50

51. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is any part of Yellow behind Blue’s ‘transom line’?
Is any part of Blue behind Yellow’s transom line?
No – so neither is clear astern, so they are overlapped
Each pair is on the same tack, and the term overlap ‘always
applies to boats on the same tack.’ (Definition Overlap)
Main Menu Section Start 51

52. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Are Yellow and Blue overlapped?
No. The term does not apply to opposite tack boats sailing to
windward and away from marks
Main Menu Section Start 52

53. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Are Yellow and Blue overlapped?
Main Menu Section Start 53

54. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Are Yellow and Blue overlapped?
Technically YES, because the definition Overlap says that the term
applies to boats sailing more than ninety degrees from the wind.
However, in open water, this fact has no further significance in the
rules. BLUE on port must keep clear of YELLOW on starboard.
Main Menu Section Start 54

55. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Are Yellow and Blue overlapped?
Main Menu Section Start 55

56. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Are Yellow and Blue overlapped? Yes, even though they
are on opposite tacks,
both because rule 18,
Mark-Room, applies, and
also because they are
both sailing more than
ninety degrees from the
true wind.
In this case, BLUE on port
still has to keep clear of
YELLOW on starboard,
but rule 18 puts a
limitation on YELLOW,
which will have to give
mark-room.
Main Menu Section Start 56

57. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is Blue clear ahead of Yellow?
IS Yellow clear astern of Blue?
The terms Clear Astern and Clear
Ahead do not apply to boats on
opposite tacks away from marks
and obstructions.
This situation is resolved by rule
10 that deals with opposite-tack
boats, and not by rule 12 that
deals with same-tack boats where
one is clear astern of the other.
Main Menu Section Start 57

58. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap
Is Blue clear ahead of Yellow?
IS Yellow clear astern of Blue?
YES. The terms Clear Astern and
Clear Ahead apply to opposite-tack
boats when rule 18 applies, or
when both boats are sailing more
than ninety degrees from the wind.
Both of these criteria make this a
clear-ahead / clear-astern situation.
As we will see, BLUE on port still
has to keep clear of YELLOW on
starboard, but rule 18 requires
clear-astern YELLOW to give mark-
room to clear-ahead BLUE
Main Menu Section Start 58

59. GOING BY THE RULES
Definitions in Action
Definitions in Action
Windward, Leeward, and Tack, Port and Starboard
Clear Astern, Clear Ahead, Overlap
Keep Clear
59

60. Start show Start Section We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
Is RED keeping clear of GREEN?
What is the test for rule 10?
When boats are on opposite tacks,
the test is whether GREEN, the
starboard-tack right-of-way boat, ‘can
sail her course with no need to take
avoiding action’.
Can you make that judgement from
this diagram?
FACTORS
• Wind and weather
• Size and manoeuvrability of the boats
• Speed of boats, and are speeds different?
• Eye contact between helms
• Hail from RED that she will duck – and a duck!
Main Menu Section Start 60

61. Start show Start Section We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
Is RED keeping clear of GREEN?
What is the test for rule 10?
When boats are on opposite tacks,
the test is whether GREEN, the
starboard-tack right-of-way boat, ‘can
sail her course with no need to take
avoiding action’.
Can you make that judgement from
this diagram?
FACTORS
• Wind and weather
• Size and manoeuvrability of the boats
• Speed of boats, and are speeds different?
Main Menu Section Start 61

62. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
Is BLUE keeping clear of YELLOW?
What is the test for rule 12?
When boats are on the same tack but not
overlapped, the test is still whether
YELLOW, the right-of-way boat, can ‘sail
her course with no need to take avoiding
action.’
Can you make that judgement from this
diagram?
FACTORS
•Wind and weather
•Size and manoeuvrability of the boats
• Is BLUE closing on YELLOW?
Main Menu Section Start 62

63. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
In all these cases – opposite tacks, or
same tack, not overlapped - the test is
whether the right-of-way boat, can ‘sail
her course with no need to take avoiding
action’.
So it’s not just a question of what the
keep-clear boat is doing.
Rather, it’s the effect of the keep-clear
boat’s actions on the right-of-way boat.
Main Menu Section Start 63

64. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
Is BLUE keeping clear of YELLOW?
What is the test?
The test is first whether YELLOW, the right-of-way boat, can sail her
course with no need to take avoiding action.
If their courses are parallel, even if BLUE is close, YELLOW can sail her
course.
Is BLUE keeping
clear?
Main Menu Section Start 64

65. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
Is BLUE keeping clear of YELLOW?
What is the test?
The test is first whether YELLOW, the right-of-way boat, can sail her
course with no need to take avoiding action.
If their courses are parallel, even if BLUE is close, YELLOW can sail her
course.
But as they are overlapped on the same tack, the test is secondly whether
the leeward boat can change course (hypothetically) in BOTH directions
without immediate contact.
Is BLUE keeping
clear?
Main Menu Section Start 65

66. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
Is BLUE keeping clear of YELLOW?
What is the test?
…the test is secondly whether the leeward boat can change course
(hypothetically) in BOTH directions without immediate contact.
If YELLOW were to luff, there may be contact, but probably not
immediately. So BLUE passed that part of the test.
Is BLUE keeping Suppose a luff
clear? by YELLOW
Main Menu Section Start 66

67. Start show We’re racing!
Definition, Keep Clear
Is BLUE keeping clear of YELLOW?
What is the test?
…the test is secondly whether the leeward boat can change course
(hypothetically) in BOTH directions without immediate contact.
If YELLOW were to luff, there may be contact, but probably not
immediately. So BLUE passed that part of the test.
But if YELLOW were to bear away, and there would be contact, it is more
likely to be immediate. If that’s what a protest committee thinks, then BLUE
was not initially keeping clear.
Is BLUE keeping Suppose a luff Suppose a bear-
clear? by YELLOW away by YELLOW
Main Menu Section Start 67

68. GOING BY THE RULES
Definitions in Action
Definitions in Action
Windward, Leeward, and Tack, Port and Starboard
Clear Astern, Clear Ahead, Overlap
Keep Clear
Main Menu Section Start 68

69. GOING BY THE RULES
What’s cooking?
THE MAIN COURSE STARTERS
Basically and Fundamentally… What’s new for 2009 – quick guide
We’re racing! What’s new for 2009 – in detail
We’re starting! INGREDIENTS
We’re rounding! Reading the signals
We’re taking turns! Major definitions in action
We’re finishing! The Racing Rules of Sailing
We’re unhappy! The Definitions
69